Bob Cusack, The Hill
- The Rev. Jesse Jackson has spoken at every Democratic convention since 1984, but that streak may come to an end this year.
Jackson, a controversial civil rights activist who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, last month had to apologize for saying Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) “is talking down to black people.” With a microphone recording what Jackson thought was a private conversation prior to an appearance on Fox News, he went on to make other critical comments about Obama. Jackson used a racially charged remark and also said he would like to remove a part of the male anatomy from Obama.
The Illinois senator has accepted Jackson’s apology.
But Jackson’s widely publicized comments have likely eliminated him as a possible speaker at the Democratic convention in Denver, which starts Aug. 25.
