That didn't take long...must have had second thoughts on how he was going
to make those hefty child support payments and still buy those expensive
suits:-)
http://www.newsday.com/ap/text/national/ap718.htm
AP National
Jackson Returning to Public Life
by SONYA ROSS
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday he will return to
the civil rights stage next week, reversing plans to leave public life to
reconcile with his family, devastated by his extramarital affair that
resulted in the birth of a daughter.
''The ground is no place for a champion,'' Jackson said. ''The ground is no
place that I will wallow on.''
In an interview with The Associated Press -- his first since news about his
affair broke last week -- Jackson said he has spent the past few days at
home in Chicago with his family, doing ''lots of thinking, lots of praying,
reflecting'' about his predicament.
Much of the time, he has done this reflection alone, he said, but a lot of
it has been with his wife of 38 years, Jackie, and their five children,
focusing on ''what we must do to continue to serve.'' It has helped to
strengthen their family bond, he said, and made him feel empowered enough to
resume his work.
''While my family has wrestled with our options and challenges, we have a
rhythm of the family reconciling process, which is way down the road, two
years for us,'' Jackson said. ''We will not sacrifice our agenda for social
justice and inclusion. ... I'll develop a rhythm that allows me to focus on
family and ... the (civil rights) battlefield.''
Jackson said he and his family will worship together at Salem Baptist Church
in Chicago on Sunday, and on Monday he will attend a luncheon in Chicago in
his honor. But he doesn't plan to speak publicly until midweek, at an annual
economic conference that his organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, hosts
in New York.
Sounding both determined and fatigued, Jackson would not talk about his
youngest child, now 20 months old, or her mother, former aide Karin
Stanford, 39. ''I will not discuss that any further, any more,'' he said.
But Jackson did question whether news reports about the matter were timed to
thwart him from his varied civil rights causes, such as leading the
opposition against the nomination of John Ashcroft for attorney general.
To illustrate his point, Jackson noted that Martin Luther King Jr. received
a note threatening to reveal King's affairs during the same week that King
was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. And, he said, President Bush
''called it strange and suspicious'' when news reports surfaced about an old
drunk driving charge at a crucial time in Bush's presidential campaign.
''A two-year-old story was made public,'' Jackson said. ''So, one can sense
that there may be some motivation. But ... I accept my responsibility. What
we must do here is put our focus not on my pain, but the people's agenda.
''Sometimes, leaders have to play with pain. I'm feeling well. My family is
well,'' Jackson said.
During his three days of seclusion, Jackson said he received several calls
from fellow activists, politicians and some unexpected public figures, such
as the Rev. Jerry Falwell. The most consistent message he received, he said,
was ''do not let your voice be stilled.''
Jackson said one of the earliest calls came from former President Clinton,
to whose side Jackson rushed when Clinton's own extramarital affair
threatened to topple his presidency. Jackson said Clinton encouraged him to
determine what best helps him cope, and engage in that activity to heal
himself.
''His point was, when he was in the depth of his crisis, he had to work out
the contrition with his family. He had to work through it, you know?''
Jackson said. ''As a fighter, I'm determined I'd rather wear out than rust
out. Not only are the people calling upon me to serve, I desire to serve. I
find fulfillment in service. I find healing in service.''
Jackson also fielded a call Friday from President Bush. He declined to
discuss their conversation, but said one of his immediate goals is to assess
Bush's administration ''by their budget priorities, by their public policy
and by their moral tone.''
''Someone said a saint is just a sinner who got back up again,'' Jackson
said. ''When I think about the troubles Mr. Bush has had, and all of us have
had, as free human beings, all of us have sinned and come short of the glory
of God.''
Newsday.com - AP - Jackson Returning to Public Life.url
