Dust-up over Jackson remark reflects generational shift

Rev. Jesse Jackson's crude remark directed at Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) represents a larger, generational shift from civil rights era politicians to a black man who could be president.

Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) said that the difference between Obama's and Jackson's remarks "demonstrates a mastery of our political acumen, as far as speaking to the entire country."

{mosads}He said that Obama has been able to attract broader audiences, far beyond the reach of past African American candidates, including Rev. Al Sharpton, Shirley Chisholm and Jackson, all of whom weren’t able to secure their party’s nomination.

"I think yesterday marked the official changing of the guard in African American politics, with a new generation of African American leaders rising to the top," said Clay, an early supporter of Obama's presidential bid, in an interview with The Hill.

Jackson said Sunday that he wanted to “cut…out” a part of Obama’s anatomy for remarks the Democratic presidential candidate made about black fatherhood that Jackson saw as condescending.

Jackson, who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, issued an apology Wednesday.

“My support for Sen. Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal," he said in a statement. "I cherish this redemptive and historical moment." Obama's campaign accepted the apology and said that he will continue to talk about parental responsibilities.

Clay praised the older generation of black political leaders who made opportunities possible for younger black politicians through their civil rights work.

"I consider them partners with us who are of a new generation," Clay said. "I don't see any divisions; the goals, aspirations and dreams are still the same."

Other African-American lawmakers said there should be little disagreement over Obama's call for greater responsibility from black fathers.

Dr. Martin Luther King had made similar statements before, said Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). "Nothing is so much needed as a secure family life for a people to pull themselves out of poverty and backwardness," King once said.

Lewis , a King protégé whom Clay praised as one of the older black leaders, said the attention given to Jackson's remarks may help Obama politically.

"[Obama] is independent. Some people in the media try to make him out to be a black candidate," Lewis said. "He'll be the Democratic candidate for president. He won't be looked at as the black candidate or the candidate of any other ethnic group."

Other Democrats said that neither Obama's remarks nor Jackson's criticism would affect support for Obama among black voters and other Americans.

"I don't think there's a divide in the black community on these questions," said Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.). He noted that Obama, who was raised by a single mother, had spoken about personal responsibility and written about the issue in two books.

Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), whose state has a population that is more than one-fifth black and may be targeted by Obama in the general election, likened support for Obama to the kind of support John F. Kennedy received in his bid for president. The former president received backing from Irish and Catholic voters, but his Irish heritage and Catholicism didn't define his candidacy, Watt said.

"There'll be an element of pride" in Obama's background, Watt said. "That's different than casting him as the black candidate."