JJ: [Because of racism in this country,] there would obviously be an enormous backlash to the idea of an African American progressive on a national ticket. But I argue for just the opposite reasons that such a backlash in our community would create an enormous frontlash in terms of voter registration and voter participation. Most importantly, this frontlash will occur where we need it to occur the most for progressives, in the former Confederate states, where 53 percent of African Americans still live. Those African Americans and progressive whites in the South [working together] in a national campaign around moral- and economic-centered constitutional issues has the greatest opportunity to reach out to poor whites in the South and to get them to move beyond the manipulation that they have experienced over the last 150 years.
A coalition with progressive African Americans around economic-centered justice issues in the South has never occurred in national politics. Such a candidacy I believe has a great opportunity not only of winning a national campaign, but also winning with a mandate to advance fundamental issues. Such a coalition could change the course of U.S. history and therefore change the course of world history because adding such rights to our Constitution would obviously advance the idea that there are other democracies around the world that are entitled to such rights, and that can only happen if the United States leads the way.
PB: Name five African Americans who could be President today.
JJ: Congressman Mel Watt, attorney Charles Ogletree from Harvard, Colin Powell, The Village Voice says Michael Powell, and I believe Rev. Jackson is capable and qualified to be President of the United States. I saw that myself. No one will ever convince me to the contrary. I saw that in 1984 and 1988. I saw him as the most qualified and the most visionary candidate running in that race. And a number of my colleagues who serve in the Congressional Black Caucus, Harold Ford Jr. from Tennessee, for example, he wants to be President. A number of them are very capable and very able. But what I find totally amazing, as presidential speculation continues to mount for 2004, is why the general press never comes to an African American or adds them to the list of thoughtful potential presidential candidates.
PB: Do you find that repugnant?
