Jesse Jackson endorses Gore for president

March 1, 2000
Web posted at: 11:29 p.m. EST (0429 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Two-time presidential candidate and African-American leader Jesse Jackson threw his support behind the candidacy of Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday, calling him the "most qualified and experienced candidate in a generation."

Jesse Jackson

"He brings to the table a body of invaluable accomplishments as a former congressman, senator and vice president," said Jackson in a written statement.

Jackson, who ran against Gore in 1988 for the Democratic presidential nomination, noted Gore's accomplishments on issues such as economic growth, civil rights and education as reasons for his endorsement.

"He has stood for the inclusion of all segments of our society under the law; women, gender equality, workers' rights to organize, and civil rights for the least able," Jackson said.

"He steadfastly shunned the demagoguery in the South of the confederate flag just as he denounced the appealing to race supremacy and religious bigotry of Bob Jones University," he added.

"We must go forward by our hopes and dreams and not backwards by our fears and cynicisms. Vice President Al Gore will do just that and I look forward to supporting him on this new journey."