The Rev. Jesse Jackson linked Sen. Barack Obama’s viability as a presidential candidate to a civil rights struggle that began with a fight to desegregate schools a half century ago.
In a half-hour talk at Denver’s Friendship Baptist Church today, Jackson walked attendees through 54 years of civil rights history that made it possible for both Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., to mount serious presidential campaigns.
Jackson, who was with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was assassinated in 1968, has been part of that history since 1966.
“Barack is running the last lap of a 54-year marathon,” he said. “It took all those battles to make this day possible.”
Jackson’s remarks came on the heels of controversy last week after he made critical remarks about Obama that were caught on tape.
Jackson has apologized for the comments, but the remark — and their apparent lack of effect on Obama — led some political observers to suggest that Jackson has become a figure of the past.
“This moment only reinforces that we have to let the younger guys take the lead in politics, that they know the issues of today, that we live in a far different world than 20 years ago,” said Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic presidential nominee.
Those who say it is time for a new generation to lead don’t understand the power of a big-tent philosophy, Jackson told reporters following the Sunday church service.
The battle for equal rights is an intra-generational fight that requires the participation of all ages, he said.
Jackson, who ran for president in 1984 and 1988, said he harbors no desire to run again.
“I am looking forward to eight years of Barack; I will be in semi-retirement when he comes out of office.”
