Jesse Jackson gaffe: is there more to come?

Film director Spike Lee has attempted to play down inflammatory comments made by Rev Jesse Jackson about Barack Obama which have cast a shadow over the Democratic candidate's campaign. In throwaway remarks made in front of a live microphone on the Fox and Friends morning talk show on Thursday, Jackson, talking about Obama's dealings with the African-American community with a fellow guest, said: "See, Barack's been talking down to black people," before adding: "I want to cut his nuts out". The programme had gone off air, but the word spread like wildfire.

Jackson has since been trying desperately to undo the damage by appearing on any television and radio talk show that will take him in order to apologise. On MSNBC, a sombre Jackson said his comments were "unfortunate trash talk" and on CNN he said it was "ugly and unnecessary". He has also pledged "a deep support for the Obama campaign".

But his apologies may be in vain if rumours swirling around Fox News prove correct. It is understood that Jackson may have made even more damaging comments - including the use of a racial slur - and campaign watchers are waiting to see whether more video turns up, beyond the clip already doing the rounds [see below].

Spike Lee was taking part in a television critics panel when he was asked how damaging the episode might prove to be. "I don't think his [Jackson's] comments help anybody. It's just unfortunate," said Lee. He predicts Obama will be elected in November and that he will succeed in bringing "seismic" changes to world politics. "You'll have to measure time by 'Before Obama' and 'After Obama'," he said.

Meanwhile New York rapper Nas has weighed in. Referring to Jackson, he told MTV: "His time is up. All you old niggas, time is up. We heard your voice, we saw your marching, we heard your sermons. We don't wanna hear that shit no more. It's a new day. It's a new voice."

Nas went on to endorse Obama before taking one final swipe at the veteran Civil Rights campaigner: "Goodbye. You ain't helping nobody in the 'hood. That's the bottom line. Goodbye, Jesse. Bye!" ·