Jesse Jackson launches effort to register 100,000 new voters in South Carolina

The Rev. Jesse Jackson traveled to a Richland County detention center Friday to launch an effort to register 100,000 new voters in South Carolina.

Jackson planned to encourage inmates awaiting trial at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center to register to vote. Residents at least 18 years of age who are not convicted of a felony can vote in South Carolina.

In an interview Thursday with The Greenville News, the 77-year-old civil rights activist who is founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said the voter-registration drive will also focus on students, seniors and working-class residents.

“We intend to have a massive focus on registration," said Jackson.

He said registering 100,000 voters would be a key step in determining the state's next U.S. senator and governor.

Jackson also planned to go to a series of events in Columbia this weekend that will attract a record-breaking 22 Democratic presidential candidates. Three of those candidates — former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg — are expected to attend the Rainbow PUSH Coalition convention in Chicago from June 28 to July 2.

While saying it would be "premature" to endorse a presidential candidate at this point, Jackson said he is impressed with the large field of Democratic White House hopefuls.

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“What I like is that all of them are fighting for more Medicaid expansion, and that is a good thing. All of them are fighting for Pell Grants for our students, and that’s a good thing. All are fighting to raise livable wages, affordable housing," Jackson said. "Those common-ground agendas should stay front and center.”

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In contrast, Jackson sharply criticized President Donald Trump. He questioned the Republican president's commitment to leading the nation.

“It is all about tweeting and entertainment,” Jackson said.

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“The rich have gotten richer through tax cuts, and the poor have gotten poorer through health cuts," Jackson said. “And now the administration is bogged down in scandal and obstruction of justice.”

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Citing Trump's refusal to allow aides to testify before congressional panels, Jackson said, "His obstruction is not even subtle."

While saying many voters are "real disgusted by what's happening," Jackson urged Democrats to be cautious about trying to impeach Trump.

“He feels that if he is impeached that he’ll become a martyr. He wants to wear martyrdom as a source of voter incitement," Jackson said. "We’ve got to keep focused on the common-ground issues.”

Follow Kirk Brown on Twitter @KirkBrown_AIM