Marc Morano, CNSNews.com
Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002

The bus trip was Jackson's idea. His "Journey to Justice" trip began at Enron headquarters in Houston and concluded Tuesday afternoon in the nation's capital.

Won't Return the Money

During the interview with CNSNews.com, Jackson said of the Enron contributions to his Rainbow/PUSH organization, "Whatever is was, it was minuscule." He said any contributions he received should not be returned because the money was "irrelevant to the magnitude of this issue."

Jackson also admitted his finances were faltering. He became irritated when asked if it was because he had lost "moral authority" during the past year, as some have charged.

Jackson met Monday with former Enron Chairman Kenneth L. Lay in Houston and compared him to the biblical figure Job. While criticizing the corporate meltdown that victimized Enron employees, Jackson declined to say anything negative about Lay and even prayed with the former chairman.

Not only is Jackson opposed to returning contributions he received from Enron, he believes groups such as "United Negro College Fund should not give any money back." His admission that he received money from Enron would not "alter our demand for vigorous oversight, campaign finance reform, election law reform and the need to thoroughly investigate who knew what when," Jackson said.

But Jackson's admission of Enron donations was a contrast to his earlier statements.

Caught

Last week, when asked by an Associated Press reporter about Enron donations, Jackson replied: "To my knowledge, no. I have not and neither have any of our entities."

He did hedge his comments, by adding "If records show" he "ever received money from Enron, it would not compromise his desire to help" ex-workers.

Do as He Says, Not as He Does

Despite his refusal to return his own Enron contributions, Jackson pulled no punches when it came to criticizing the Bush administration for its relationship with the now bankrupt company.

"The more [Vice President Dick] Cheney denies access to the information, the more suggestive it is of a relationship," Jackson said. "We know Enron basically helped determine our energy policy. Those who had the gold made the rules for their own interest."

Al Sharpton, who has also inserted himself into the Enron debate, told CNSNews.com that he was surprised Jackson received money from Enron. "I did not know that. I am sure that will put an interesting light on his visit [to Houston.]"

Sharpton thinks Jackson should provide full disclosure about the money he received from Enron. "I think he should say what it was and say that particularly if he is coming into this [Enron] situation."

O'Reilly Obsessed?

During the interview with CNSNews.com, Jackson lashed out at the Fox News Channel, stating that "obviously they have a political point of view ... they are driven by an ideology. Their ideology is anti-affirmative action. It's anti-gender equality. It's basically anti-labor union."

He complained that Fox's Bill O'Reilly, host of "The O'Reilly Factor," had an "obsession" with him. "I do not know what his fascination and obsession is with me. I very seldom watch him, and I think I saw "20/20" say he had attacked me 56 days in a row. Now that is either fascination or obsession or both."

Jackson was apparently referring to a study by Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting that stated O'Reilly had reported 56 Jackson segments in a three-year period.

According to Jackson, "I am not going to dignify or spend my time ... O'Reilly's opinion of me is irrelevant."

Fiscal Woes?

Jackson also admitted to financial troubles but blamed the economic downturn. As first reported by CNSNews.com, Jackson had to lay off more than half his workforce last year as his fundraising slumped.

"Clearly, it is responsible to make business adjustments according to the climate .... In tough economic times, we become more disciplined and austere with my resources. That is good business practice," Jackson said.

One of Jackson's former seminary school friends, David Wallace, has said Jackson's fundraising woes were a result of his loss of "moral authority." Wallace was referring to Jackson's extramarital affair with a former employee that resulted in the birth of an illegitimate child.

When asked about Wallace's comments, Jackson became agitated.

"I am trying to think, what is your point? That's an opinion. The workers on this journey have a different opinion," he said.

Whose 'Policies of Greed'?

Jackson countered that "the real focus ought to be - what can America do for its workers who have been victims of policies of greed."

Ken Boehm, chairman of the conservative National Legal and Policy Center, said he was suspicious of Jackson's motives in the Enron case, and the gentle way with which he has treated Lay.

"I would not be surprised if this is a payback when you consider how Jackson operates over the years," Boehm told CNSNews.com.

Boehm said he finds it ironic that "someone as ethically challenged as Jackson is commenting on someone as ethically challenged as Lay."

Copyright CNSNews.com

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