Dean defended his record on minorities yesterday after Sharpton's attack. However, Dean seems to be a bit behind the times with this statement:

"He is one of a group of up-and-coming African-American leaders in this country and to have him endorse me, I think verifies I am a strong supporter of the things the African-American community really has to have. Affirmative action and opportunity are two of those things," Dean said.

Jesse Jackson sought the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988, and several of this year's hopefuls have sought his son's backing. The younger Jackson traveled to Charleston, S.C., with Dean earlier this month and appeared at several campaign events.

Jesse Jackson has been an African American Leader for years. Jackson is not up and coming, he is already there!