Says Issue Transcends Ideology

Will Liberals Turn Against Jesse Jackson?


Jesse Jackson fueled a blaze of talk radio and blogosphere speculation about his motives today as he injected himself into the last moments of the Schiavo situation.

Essentially an echo of what conservative right-to-life advocates and liberal disabled rights activists have been screaming for months, Jackson said the level of human suffering was both unfair and cruel.

Will he have an impact on Terri Schiavo's cold-hearted so-called husband? Probably not. Some conservatives today questioned out loud whether Jackson was up to his old grandstanding tricks today.

I think he was, but for the right reasons. Jackson knew he could create new press attention and a healthy debate about the facts that the media couldn't pass off as right-wing generated.

I'm not a Jackson fan, but I like what he did, not just because I agree with his stance, but because of the cleverness of his strategy. It was sharp thinking, he threw the press for a curve and gave Terri one last bit of hope.

Let Jesse grandstand all he wants when it's in the name of what's right and fair.

The question is whether liberals will ever forgive him over this betrayal or deviation, whatever you'd like to call it.

What I want to know is why so many are set on Terri's demise? Why's it so important that Schiavo die a painful, horrible death?

Is it possible that Jackson's real motivation is to save liberalism from itself? That he sees it going off of a cliff and wants to save it and the Democrats before it's too late? Perhaps he sees the fallout from a Schiavo funeral and how it would damage his side for years to come?


(AP via My Way News- Mike Schneider)

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) - As Terri Schiavo entered her 12th full day without food or water, the Rev. Jesse Jackson prayed with her parents Tuesday and joined conservatives in calling for state lawmakers to order her feeding tube reinserted.

The former Democratic presidential candidate was invited by Schiavo's parents to meet with activists outside Schiavo's hospice. His arrival was greeted by some applause and cries of "This is about civil rights!"

"I feel so passionate about this injustice being done, how unnecessary it is to deny her a feeding tube, water, not even ice to be used for her parched lips," he said. "This is a moral issue and it transcends politics and family disputes."

Jackson's visit provided an emotional boost to Schiavo's parents and siblings, who have maintained that Schiavo would want to be kept alive. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, insists he is carrying out her wishes by having the feeding tube pulled.

(AP) Demonstrator Jim Pinto of Birmingham, Ala., prays for Terri Schiavo Tuesday morning, March 29, 2005... Full Image

"I wanted the Reverend Jackson here for moral support," said Mary Schindler, Terri Schiavo's mother. "I feel good with him here. Very strong. He gives me strength."