Jackson apologizes for remarks about Obama

WASHINGTON -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson apologized Wednesday for critical and crude comments he made about Sen. Barack Obama, remarks in which he accused Obama of "talking down to black people."

Jackson, after an interview with a Fox News reporter on a different topic, sharply criticized Obama for how he has been referring to African-Americans. He specifically took issue with how Obama had singled out black men in recent speeches for failing to uphold their responsibility as fathers.

Jackson's words, which included a vulgar reference, were recorded by a live microphone on Sunday. His apology came after Fox News said it would broadcast the remarks on "The O'Reilly Factor" on Wednesday night.

"I don't want harm nor hurt to come to this campaign," Jackson said in an afternoon news conference in Chicago, after his comments were referred to throughout the day on cable television. He called his words "hurtful and wrong."

Jackson, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, has been a supporter of Obama. He has played no formal role in the campaign, but tensions have occasionally flared behind the scenes with Jackson, who is known for his outspokenness and his penchant for drawing attention to himself.

Obama's candidacy has served as an example of a generational and stylistic shift in black political leadership in America. The remarks drew an unusually stern rebuke from Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who also serves as a national co-chairman of Obama's presidential campaign.

"Rev. Jackson is my dad, and I'll always love him," the congressman said Wednesday evening in a statement. He added, "I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself."

In a statement issued by the campaign, Obama accepted the apology from Jackson. But a spokesman said Obama would not refrain from calling upon fathers to take greater responsibility and participate in their children's lives.

"As someone who grew up without a father in the home, Senator Obama has spoken and written for many years about the issue of parental responsibility, including the importance of fathers participating in their children's lives," said Bill Burton, a campaign spokesman.

Jackson made his remarks in an interview on "Fox & Friends" on Sunday during a segment about health care.