Steele reads into Jesse Jackson's vulgar comments about Obama

Says Obama Effectively Reversed 'The Race Card' On Clinton

Michael Steele

Yesterday on the Fox News Channel, former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) weighed in on the Rev. Jesse Jackson's vulgar, unwittingly public comments about his frustration with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.)

Jackson, having been miked shortly before appearing on Fox News on Wednesday, made the comments while unaware that he was being recorded.

"See, Barack's been, um, talking down to black people on this faith based. he said. 'I want to cut his [EXPLETIVE DELETED] off. Barack -- he's talking down to black people."

Jackson offered an apology for the statement when he learned that Fox News would be airing it.

Appearing opposite of the Rev. Al Sharpton on the 'Hannity and Colmes' progam, Steele said that while he feels really bad for Jackson, who he described as "a good friend," he added, " The real question is why did he think that?"

"Why does he think and say that to reflect something else beneath the surface? And, you know, I think, you know, whether it's on a hot mic or he intentionally says it on air, it's the intent behind the words."

Admitting that he does not know what Jackson is thinking, Steele said, "I think there has to be an element of truth to what he was saying or at least a feeling that what Obama has been saying on this issue [of faith-based progams] does not address a broader concern that Jesse Jackson may have."

That concern? Steele thinks it has to do with "something in this platform of Obama's with respect to the black family, black men, the faith-based initiative, that rubs at Jesse Jackson in a way that would have him... express on mic or off mic, something that he feels."

Steele took umbrage to Sharpton's claim that he and host Sean Hannity were "trying to plant this seed of a black-on-black leadership fight when Obama's running for president."

"Reverend, I was really hoping you wouldn't go there because this has nothing to do with that," the former lieutenant governor replied.

Hannity finished the interview by asking Steele whether Obama 'played the race card' against Bill Clinton during the primaries.

Steele said he saw "an effective use or reversal, if you will, on playing the race card in that case."

"I mean you see now -- and there's been commentary again, you know, not coming from Republicans, and not trying to plant any seeds, that basically address the fact that, you know, you -- there are certain things that are off the table with this campaign you can't talk about, otherwise you're racist."

In a radio interview on the day before the April 22 Pennsylvania presidential primary, former President Bill Clinton said the Obama campaign had "played the race card" on him.