Politics | Barack Obama Jesse Jackson Apologizes for Unknown Obama Slur Mic caught stray insult; Hannity to air it tonight By Jonas Oransky Posted Jul 9, 2008 4:50 PM CDT Copied Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, listens as Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) Jesse Jackson apologized profusely to Barack Obama for a comment to be aired later tonight on Fox, saying that a microphone caught a “crude and hurtful” quip that he meant to make in private. CNN did not reveal what the comment was, but Jackson said he had been criticizing the Dem for moralizing in front of black audiences. The blogosphere was rife with rumors, as sources close to Sean Hannity (who has the tape) claimed to reveal that Jackson used a crude term for anatomical parts sometimes equated with manhood—saying either that Obama was "ripping his n*** away from African Americans” or that the reverend wanted to “rip Obama’s n*** off.” By way of apology, Jackson said, "My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment.” Read These Next NC mom missing for 24 years doesn't want to be found. Mexico says it killed top drug trafficker. BBC apologizes after racial slur heard at BAFTAs. Photos of Jack Hughes' toothless grin are instant classics. Report an error