BALTIMORE -- In his first public speech since President-elect Barack Obama won his bid for the White House, social-rights advocate Rev. Jesse Jackson addressed a congregation Sunday at the Bethel AME Church in Baltimore.

As a long-time activist, Jackson said he was excited to hear the news on Nov. 4.

“It was, for me, a redemptive moment for America. We are a better nation 40 years later. We are a better nation,” Jackson said.

Citing the economy, the credit crisis and the foreclosure rate, Jackson pointed out that the nation is not necessarily better off yet.

He spoke out against the government's $700 billion bailout on Wall Street. Jackson said once Obama takes office, the repair work should be a priority.

“Now jobs elude us -- we came to make prosperity, now we can't afford tuition for our children, we can't save our houses. We cannot secure our family and that, it seems to me, is the first order of business,” Jackson said.

There's been some speculation that his son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., will be selected by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagjovich to fill Obama's Senate seat for the remainder of his term.

However, Jackson wouldn't comment on that.

“That's to be discussed back in Illinois with the people who make that decision. It’s not mine to make and I don't feel appropriate to comment on that,” Jackson said.