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 Just over 24 hours ago Rev. Jesse Jackson lambasted Artur Davis with "you can't vote against health care and call yourself a black man," but he sees things a bit differently tonight. Here is Rev. Jesse Jackson's most recent statement, via the Rainbow Push Coalition:
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 19, 2009)— “I talked to Congressman Artur Davis today to assure him of my abiding admiration of him as a leader who is engaged in a huge challenge.
I offer no challenge to his integrity as a leader. Representatives should all vote their conscience in the interest of their constituency.
There is a growing disparity among the black and the poor and we desperately need voices and votes.
Among the black and the poor, the infant mortality rate is higher, life expectancy is shorter, poverty is growing and unemployment is highest.
We need comprehensive healthcare that is more accessible and less expensive for all Americans. The historical Davis journey as a change agent continues and his latest quest deserves the support of the caring.”
Personally, I wonder if Jackson decided he's in danger of ending up on the wrong side of history on this one -- Davis' gubernatorial quest, not health care -- and after some reflection and a personal conversation with Davis, he's come around toward Gwen Ifill's way of thinking: “There is Artur Davis, who I talk about in this book and is truly the personification of the audacity of hope ...”
Mike Soraghan, who broke the "can't call himself a black man" story last night, also has a new piece up at The Hill. “Rev. Jackson is entitled to his opinion,” Davis said on Thursday. “The voters are entitled to a governor who represents everyone in the state. They’re not looking for someone who speaks for a single community. “His judgment is through the prism of race.”
He also quotes Davis as saying he could still vote for the final health care bill. I would not be surprised by it, although it's nothing like a sure thing. Quite plainly, there are certain things Davis wants to see changed -- the revenue side of the equation and the details of a mandate for coverage -- and those changes may very well end up in the final bill. Then we'll see what happens and where it leaves Ron Sparks. Not campaigning across Alabama with Rev. Jackson between now and June 1, is my guess. |
