There has been a lot of controversy here in LA surrounding Al Gore’s selection of Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman as his running mate, particularly among African Americans and Latinos. They are concerned about Lieberman’s positions on a variety of issues. He is pro-school vouchers, anti-affirmative action and he supported the anti-immigrant Prop 187 in California. Democratic Congress member Maxine Waters was so concerned that earlier this week she said she was holding off on endorsing the Gore/Lieberman ticket. Today, I caught up with her and asked her views of Lieberman.

Guest:

• Representative Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California.

Despite the concerns of some, Jesse Jackson, perhaps the most influential Black leader in the Democratic Party spent much of the day stumping for Gore and Lieberman. Jackson was side-stepped tonight at the official Democratic convention and was not the keynote speaker. He did address the convention, though. Instead, the Democrats put forth Rep. Harold Ford— an African American from Tennessee. He is the youngest member of Congress and also a very conservative Democrat.

Nevertheless, Jackson did speak and here is some of what he had to say.

Tape:

• Jesse Jackson Speech At Democratic Convention
• Jesse Jackson Speech At Shadow Convention, earlier today at the so-called Shadow Convention down the street from the Staples Center, Jesse Jackson spoke.

After the speech we had a chance to ask Jesse Jackson about his support for Joe Lieberman.

Guest:

• Jesse Jackson, a Democrat and a civil rights leader.