How could the Rev. Jesse Jackson, a master at playing the media like a fiddle, not know the mic was on last week when he made that repulsive comment about castrating Barack Obama?
One of the very first things you learn in Media Training 101 is that if you’re mic’d, always assume it’s on and never say anything you wouldn’t say off the air.
I heard at least two radio talk show hosts say they’re convinced that Jackson knew darn well the mic was on and that his comments would be picked up and aired. I don’t agree. But I’m curious about what you think.
Even though Jackson apologized publicly to Obama, and endorsed him, did he know the mic was on?
Of course, he knew it was on. Can you imagine how many TV and radio shows he’s been on? How many times he’s sat around waiting to go on the air…with a mic on his lapel?
And he knew he’d have to issue a lame apology, which he did. And he knew Obama would have to accept it.
Now, the question is why did he do it? He was probably sending a message to the portion of the black community that he plays to all the time, a portion that may not be all that happy about Obama trying to placate Middle America (something he’s really not doing very well, despite his weak attempts).
Besides, Jackson can get away with saying anything to anybody at anytime, and he knows it. He’s made a career of it.
Newsflash!! This is how men talk.
What’s with all the spin on this?? Jesse Jackson didn’t like the comments Obama made about African-American fathers on Father’s Day, he said so.
Okay, granted, it was into an open mic and he did do it under the premise that he’s an Obama supporter.
I think it works in his favor. When all is said and done, who really cares? He’s always been ardent and firm, why are we surprised at this?
We need more people to speak up and say it like they mean it and not cajole the press for transparent reasons.
Say it like you mean it and let the chips fall where they may.
Yeah he if he didn’t know it was on he should have assumed so. He’s no media virgin, come on. While his son will be vying for Obama’s senate seat, and is a vehement supporter, the elder Jackson isn’t quite convinced yet. Seems that Jesse would just say what’s on his mind, instead of playing these games. He’s never “held back” comments before.
Joan,
Are you kidding? Absolutely, positively and without question, Jesse Jackson knew the mic was on! As one Chicago reporter said, what Jackson did was “a rookie mistake made by one of the savviest media commentators in the world.”
What he probably didn’t know was that he was being recorded!! But when making comments like that, it’s best to play it safe and keep your crass opinions to yourself.
As a client of mine said recently, “if a gun is pointed at you, assume its loaded–likewise, if you’re wearing a mic, assume its on and recording.
Jackson should have known better!
Well…I wouldn’t be so sure if Jackson was thinking about the microphone was on, even as experienced as he is. I believe he sees the concept of a black man achieving the nation’s highest office as validation of a lot of his work and something for which he helped set the stage, thus it would be insane to undermine that. I truly believe he was so focused on who he was speaking with that he forgot about the mic — just like even very good drivers can have a momentary break in their usually excellent attention to the road and have a bad accident. When you speak publicly as much as Jackson and most politicians do, being perfect 100 percent of the time is impossible.
Jonathan Bernstein
President
Bernstein Crisis Management, Inc.
It’s certainly an interesting theory that he knew the mike was on, and there’s certainly evidence to support it. Come on – Jesse’s been caught before “not knowing the mike was on”, with his “hymie-town” remark. If he didn’t realize it, we have to assume that he doesn’t learn anything from his prior mistakes.
Oh Joan,
Of course, he knew the mic was on, that he was being recorded, would make the fastest news and thought he was being so smart. Now, for the reason – is he jealous? Ready to be dismissed by Obama? Looking for folks to to rally to Obama’s side? Looks like it’s probably the latter.
Ah, what an interesting election this will be. But I’m glad that so far it seems to be on the up-and-up. And even the two candidates seem to on the up-and-up rather than mudslingers.
I’ve shot hundreds of television interviews, which is why I agree with Monique that Jesse probably didn’t realize that he was being recorded. Besides, the quality of the audio indicates that it wasn’t recorded professionally by studio staff.
It reminded me of the scene in the 1957 film, A Face In The Crowd, when Andy Griffith thinks he’s no longer live, on TV, and starts bad mouthing his fans. Patricia Neal deliberately leaves the mic on so that viewers can hear what kind of a person his character really is.
Jesse Jackson is nothing more than an oratorical opportunist. This episode shows him for what he really is. A blowhard.
I have to agree with Jonathan. I feel very confident Rev. Jackson didn’t intend for his comments to go out over a live mic. Unfortunately for him though, this is just one more mistep that casts him in a bad light. Remember back in ’84 when he called New York City “Hymietown,” referring to its large Jewish population?
I think he knew it was on, and he’s envious of Obama’s speaking the truth. Jackson is all about being the leader of victims; whereas Obama is telling people to stand up and fly right.
Many of the comments posted here are valid… even an experienced media spokes(wo)man can make mistakes. But, I do not, in this instance, doubt that Jackson knew the risks and that his comments would be heard ’round the world. Not that controversial comments have seemed to harm his career thus far….
Even the most media savvy, like Rev. Jackson, slip up sometimes. No one’s perfect. Oops!