Is Jesse Good For Barack?

The great minds of politics are busy looking into the crystal balls and announcing the gains they expect to accrue to Barack because Jesse Jackson wants to cut off his nuts.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson's derogatory comments about Barack Obama could provide a boost for the presumptive Democratic nominee, giving him an opportunity to win over some voters who have been skeptical of his candidacy.

Jesse's violent urge was created by Barack's "talking down to blacks" on the issue of personal responsibility, similar to themes that Bill Cosby has hit on in recent years. As the thinking goes, Jesse will get people to notice that Barack's taken such a main stream position.

``It reinforces Obama's effort to present himself as an advocate of responsible personal behavior, a position that Republican candidates like to secure as uniquely their own,'' )Mark) Rozell (a professor of public policy at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia) said.

There are other theories, of course.

Jackson's comments help Obama in other ways as well, said Steffen Schmidt, a professor of political science at Iowa State University in Ames.

``This helps Obama make the case that he is not a `black' leader but just a Democratic candidate for president,'' Schmidt said. ``Cynics are asking if Jackson made this comment on purpose to help Obama.''

One other theory argues that seeing Jesse Jackson on center stage reminds folks how moderate Barack is by comparison, making people thank God for Barack.

Since everyone's offering their opinions, I may as well jump in. I say all this talk is... nuts! Anytime there's conversation about black America connected to Barack that's bad for him, as it heightens concerns that he may be about being black, not being American.