Radio host Sean Hannity revealed shortly after 4PM ET that FOX News is in possession of an exclusive tape of Reverend Jesse Jackson, recorded after a recent interview when he thought the microphone was off, slamming presumptive Democrat Presidential nominee Barack Obama for “talking down black people on matters of faith” (Hannity also has said it as “talking down to black people on matters of faith”) among other issues.

Hannity also intimated that Jackson says he wants to “rip Obama’s nuts off” on the tape.  Hannity would not say “nuts,” but based on his description (portion of the male anatomy beginning with an “n”) I believe that’s the word he was going for.

Hannity says the tape will be played in its entirety on tonight’s Hannity and Colmes. Other sources indicate it will also air on The O’Reilly Factor. Hannity may have been mistaken about the tape airing “in its entirety” this evening, as it is reported to be so crude that it will require extensive editing.

O’Reilly is quoted as saying that FOX held back more damaging portions of the tape that were not relevant to the conversation.  Guess we’ll have to wait and see if Hannity plays the entire tape during his radio show at 3PM ET Thursday.

---

UPDATE: Drudge Teases “REV. JESSE JACKSON APOLOGIZES TO SEN. BARACK OBAMA FOR ‘CRUDE AND HURTFUL COMMENTS’ CAUGHT BY OPEN MIC… CNN DESCRIBES AS ‘UGLY WORDS,’ ‘VERY, VERY DISPARAGING’; JACKSON IN ‘DEEP DISTRESS’… FOX NEWS IN POSSESSION OF TAPE AND WILL PLAY IN ENTIRETY TONIGHT ON ‘O’REILLY’ OBAMA: NO COMMENT… DEVELOPING…”

---

UPDATE: Jackson responds -

Speaking to CNN Wednesday, Jackson said he feels “very distressed” over the comments.

“This is a sound bite in a broader conversation about urban policy and racial disparities. I feel very distressed because I’m supportive of this campaign and with the senator, what he has done and is doing,” he said. “I said he comes down as speaking down to black people. The moral message must be a much broader message. What we need really is racial justice and urban policy and jobs and health care. That’s a range of issues on the menu.

“Then I said something I regret was crude. It was very private. And very much a sound bite,” he also said.

In a statement issued earlier Wednesday to CNN, Jackson said, “For any harm or hurt that this hot mic private conversation may have caused, I apologize. My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment.”

---

UPDATE: TVNewser has details -

• Recorded Sunday morning in FOX’s Chicago bureau surrounding a Fox & Friends appearance
• Comments made to Reid Tuckson of United Health Group.
• Comments so “raw” that may have to be heavily edited.
• Comments “racial in nature.”

---

UPDATE: Drudge has the money quote as “Cut his Nuts Out.” I didn’t think it would matter, but man when you think about the precision involved in that it gives a whole different connotation.

---

UPDATE: O’Reilly Via Drudge:

O’REILLY: ‘We held back some of this conversation… we didn’t feel it had any relevance to the conversation this evening. We are not out to get Jesse Jackson. We are not out to embarrass him and we are not out to make him look bad. If we were, we would have used what we had, which is more damaging than what you have heard’…

Looks like we’ll have to wait until the Hannity Radio Show tomorrow at 3PM ET to hear what Jackson really said on the tape.

---

UPDATE: The portion of the tape that got played on FOX News tonight.

---

REACTION:

• Nikki Richards smells a “Obama needs to distance himself from Jackson and his ilk” rat.
• NRO’s The Corner thinks it helps Obama.
• RightVoices points out this isn’t the first time Jackson has assailed Obama on race and conveniently forgotten the remark.
• Chicagoans Against Obama aren’t buying the dog and pony show either.

Tagged

Barack Hussein Obama, FOX News, Jesse Jackson, Sean Hannity, Talk Radio

Related Posts

• FOX May Air More Jackson Obama Slam Tape
• More of Jesse Jackson’s Obama Slam Leaks
• FOX Hosts Gagged On Obama
• State Senator Obama Funneled Cash to Cronies
• Greta Van Susteren: Carl Cameron Regrets Palin Gossip Reports