(2004-09-29) — Although the Rev. Jesse Jackson just signed onto the Kerry-Edwards campaign today as a senior advisor, he has already secured the endorsement of several influential African-American groups.
The American Society of Black Windsurfers (ASBW) today endorsed John Forbes Kerry’s presidential candidacy calling him “the only candidate whom Jesse Jackson says understands our needs…dude.”
In addition to the Black windsurfers, the Rev. Jackson said he’ll welcome the African-American Snowboarding Association (AASA) into the Kerry camp tonight during a news conference in Aspen, Colorado.
The famed civil rights leader also characterized as “more than cordial” his talks with the United Negro Ivy League College Alumni Foundation (UNILCAF).
“I’m honored that John Kerry asked me to serve on his campaign team,” said the Rev. Jackson. “And the fact that he brought me in so early in the process demonstrates the esteem in which he holds my people. There is a great affinity between Sen. Kerry and the Black community as these endorsements show.”
The Rev. Jackson refuses to accept a paycheck for his role as senior advisor to Mr. Kerry, saying that “money can’t buy loyalty and commitment to the principles and values which matter to me.”
In unrelated news, the Democrat National Committee (DNC) today announced it will make a “substantial seven-figure contribution” to the Chicago-based Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.
