Rep. Jackson Makes His Case for Obama’s Seat
Jackson
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. says he should be named to take over President-elect Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat because he’s experienced enough to immediately master the job, young enough to realistically keep the seat for the Democrats through future elections, and is in line with most of Obama’s positions. (See The Platform take on this, and hear the audio, here.)
“I am the ideal, the best and the most qualified person,” Jackson said in an unusual conference call he requested with Post-Dispatch editorial writers this morning to lay out his resume’ - everything from his support of Obama’s economic positions to his involvement in foreign policy to his sterling attendance record in the House (two missed votes in 13 years).
Jackson, son of the civil rights leader, is one of a long list of candidates under consideration by Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the last two years of Obama’s Senate term. Others include fellow Rep. Danny Davis and state Veterans’ Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth.
Blagojevich - who has had a strained relationship with Jackson - recently spurred frenzied speculation about his choice by accidentially referring to both Davis and Duckworth as “senator” in public comments.
Jackson - who described his relationship with Blagojevich as “respectful” - quipped that he hopes the governor might have another slip of the tongue after an expected meeting soon between the two men: “I hope after my meeting, he says, `Hey, Senator Jackson.’ ”
Blagojevich can pick virtually anyone he wants, but has been under heavy pressure to appoint an African-American because Obama was the Senate’s only black member. Rep. Bobby Rush, another contender for the seat, has publicly called on Blagojevich to pick an African-American, but Jackson downplayed the issue. “It can be a factor, but it doesn’t have to be the factor,” he said.
Blagojevich has said he will make his choice by the new year.
I’m putting my chips on Danny Davis. He’s black, he’s a congressman, and he is NOT Jesse Jackson’s son. Not sure how he feels about Duckworth, but politicians tend to avoid the stench of losers.