Jackson Appearance Begins Comeback Attempt

By
Andrew Buchanan
January 6, 2006, 6:10 PM ET
2 min read

C H I C A G O, Jan. 21, 2001 -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson thanked his family andsupporters for standing by him as he spoke publicly today for thefirst time since acknowledging he fathered a daughter during anextramarital affair.

But Jackson, speaking briefly to worshippers who packed SalemBaptist Church, saved his most personal comments for his wife,Jackie.

"After 38 years and five children later, Jackie, you're stillhere," Jackson said.

Ready to Return

The civil rights leader said he was grateful to supporters whomade it clear that they want him to return to the helm of theRainbow/PUSH Coalition as soon as possible, and indicated he isready to resume his work.

"Yesterday, the winds shifted, so it's a new stage in ourchallenge," Jackson said, referring to President Bush'sinauguration.

Jackson, who had been in seclusion since acknowledging theaffair four days ago, told The Associated Press Saturday that hewould return to the civil rights stage next week.

‘We Need You, We Want You, We Love You’

Salem Baptist pastor, the Rev. James Meeks, who also isexecutive vice president of Rainbow/PUSH, told Jackson that thecoalition needed his leadership.

"Reverend, we want you to know something today: Not only do welove you, not only do we care for you … we can't afford to loseyou," Meeks said.

"We need you, we want you, we love you, Rev. Jesse Jackson."

Jackson has said he will be at a luncheon in Chicago in hishonor on Monday and plans to attend an annual economic conferencethat the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, hosts in New York.

Jackson has said he will not discuss his daughter, now 20 monthsold, or her mother, Karin Stanford, former head of Rainbow/PUSH'sWashington office. Stanford and her daughter now live in LosAngeles.

Payments to Mistress

Leaders of Rainbow/PUSH have acknowledged that the civil rightsorganization paid $35,000 in "severance pay" to Stanford. JohnScanlon, a spokesman for Jackson, said that included $15,000 inmoving expenses and $20,000 as payment for work Stanford wascontracted to perform for the organization. He said Stanford hasreceived no money from Rainbow/PUSH since August 1999, when thework was completed.

Jackson personally pays Stanford $3,000 a month in childsupport, he said.

Meeks has questioned the timing of news that Jackson hadfathered a child, suggesting that it was an attempt to stop a marchin Florida Saturday to protest alleged voting irregularities duringthe presidential election.