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JESSE JACKSON CREDITS BIN LADEN FOR OBAMA SUCCESS

October 30 2008

Washington, D.C. – Controversy has long followed Jesse Jackson and the civil rights advocate has always embraced the chaos he has sparked. Whether as a result of ego or an orchestrated guerrilla activism, Jackson has made a major impact on the American social and political landscape. Jackson has potentially sparked a new controversy by declaring that Barack Obama’s run for President is a direct result of the influence of Osama Bin Laden and the attacks of 9/11.

Jackson, who himself ran two unsuccessful bids at the Presidency in 1984 and 1988, claims that the events of 9/11 turned the racism of the American people away from black Americans and onto Arabs, clearing the way for Obama to be President.

“It’s an interesting point, and we’ve even seen that kind of bigotry in this campaign. A common slur against Obama is that he is an Arab, which of course is completely silly,” said Scrape TV political analyst Gabriel Kinsey. “Even when those accusations are brought up no one says anything about it being bad to use a race as a slur which would indicate that Americans are perfectly comfortable with their dislike of that particular race. It might be a stretch to say that the two events are directly linked, and may even be racist unto itself, but there’s little doubt that this legendary run has had little talk of race at all.”

Missed in much on the controversy, and in the race and public perception at all, is the candidacy of Ralph Nader, who is of Lebanese descent. Nader was also a major player in the 2000 election race between George Bush Jr. and Al Gore.
“Who knows if the events of 9/11 have had an impact on Nader’s run this year. My guess is most people don’t even realize he is an Arab, and that very few know or care that he’s running for president,” continued Kinsey. “There’s little doubt that racial attitude throughout the US have changed dramatically, even in the time that Obama has been alive. Whether or not that has changed even more since the attacks is anyone’s guess. Obama is a unique candidate regardless of his race; Jackson is a unique nutcase regardless of his.”

Jackson has made clear his support of Obama for president and has openly campaigned for the candidate in between controversies. Despite his relatively good standing though, Obama has not publicly embraced that support and has even made efforts to distance himself and his campaign from Jackson. This recent declaration makes any chance of that even less likely.

“I’m sure Obama respects Jackson, but the reality is the guy has become more and more unsteady in recent years. There is little doubt that dislike towards Arabs has increased in recent years, but I sincerely doubt that has changed anyone’s attitudes towards black people in the US,” concluded Kinsey. “Socio-economic conditions, cultural changes, and a more youthful population have all contributed to the erosion of hate in the country. People haven’t simply transposed their hatred onto another ethnic group. Racism just isn’t that big of a deal anymore, no matter what a person like Jackson, a man who has built his career and public reputation on racial division, says or does. That said, I don’t expect to see any Olive skinned Presidents any time soon. America is changing, but not that much.”

Edward Bastil, Political Correspondent

NEWS >POLITICS > JESSE JACKSON CREDITS BIN LADEN FOR OBAMA SUCCESS

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