Speculation, spin abound on Jackson, Jr.
Wednesday, Jun 27, 2012 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WLS Radio…
[Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. spokesman Frank Watkins] told Dempsey that the reason his office waited for two weeks to make the announcement was because of “family considerations.”
* Sneed…
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.’s sudden “medical” leave of absence this month is due to a case of the “shpilkes.”
◆Translation: Jackson’s got the jitters.
◆Explanation: Jackson’s litany of ailments, which includes a tough political schedule, a shaky marriage and a federal probe — also includes a past history of adultery. That can cause a stapled stomach to reflux over news the feds arrested his buddy, Raghuveer Nayak, a top Dem fund-raiser who flew Jackson’s “social acquaintance” to Chicago on at least two occasions.
* Tribune…
Jackson’s surgery was a duodenal switch, which involves removing part of the stomach and reconfiguring the intestine to reduce the size of the small bowel. The procedure changes how the body absorbs nutrients, and lack of absorption of some vitamins and minerals can cause fatigue, doctors said.
“People who undergo gastric bypass surgery often have chronic problems with nutritional deficiency and may lack micronutrients like iron, calcium, vitamin B complex and may need to be on vitamin supplements,” said Dr. David Zich, a doctor of internal medicine and emergency medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. “It takes careful attention to diet, and for people who have varying schedules and are constantly on the go, oftentimes a diet is the first to go when we are rushing and trying to meet a schedule.”
* Carol Marin…
Ald. Sandi Jackson, the congressman’s wife, has acknowledged to Chicago Sun-Times columnist Mike Sneed that this has been a very difficult time for the couple.
* NBC 5 did manage to get something beyond the standard spin from Jackson’s office…
“Some people think it’s suspect, but ironically, we were going to acknowledge last week that the congressman was going to take a leave. In fact, we were prepared to make a statement last week when the news broke that Nayak was arrested, but we postponed that announcement, because this has nothing to do with the Nayak arrest. There’s no connection between the two,” said Bryant.
* And CBS2 has more on the timing…
Although it’s only been a day since Jackson announced he’s suffering from exhaustion and has been on medical leave, House Minority Whip U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said he was first told of the situation last Friday.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 10:36 am:
I had a comment but a sudden onset of the “shpilkes” just zapped my energy.
- Bill - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 10:45 am:
Junior could disappear until after the election and he’d still get 75% of the vote.
- k3_Spfld_Chi - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 10:45 am:
I believe the final straw was when Cap Fax published that picture of his office with the liquor bottle. He couldn’t stand the onslaught that the picture caused.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 10:46 am:
The Tribune is wondering where he is, and that’s a pretty good question. Without giving out an exact address or anything, why can’t his office tell us if he’s in DC, Chicago or in a hospital somewhere?
Otherwise, one might wonder if he’s at the Betty Ford Clinic.
- Louie - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:03 am:
Junior could disappear until after the election and he’d still get 75% of the vote.
=Junior could disappear until after the election and he’d still get 75% of the vote=
More like 95% of the vote!
- Shore - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:07 am:
Time to go pal.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:08 am:
I can’t see anything sinister about him being out of reach. I imagine it’s medical. There’s no benefit, legally, for him being gone, unless you put on a tinfoil hat and believed he skipped to Rio or something to avoid his problems.
- Wondering - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:18 am:
When B Obama got promoted it was determined that it was imperative to name someone to replace him as fast as possible - I recall words to effect of “or else we will not have proper representation.” So, I wonder how fast someone will be named to replace J Jackson, Jr.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:31 am:
===I wonder how fast someone will be named to replace J Jackson, Jr.===
Don’t hold your breath Wondering: there is no vacancy to fill. And Congressional vacancies are not filled by appointment. They require special elections.
This is pretty basic stuff you’re Wondering about.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:42 am:
Shore I hope you’re not proposing this standard apply to all those elected with health issues, after all your Senator Hush Money is laid up too.
How has Sneed survived so many reporter layoffs?
- Sue - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 11:43 am:
The one negative thing Pat Fitz did was not getting rid of JJJ before departing Chicago
- palatine - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 12:16 pm:
Agree time to go
- wndycty - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 12:32 pm:
How many of those who are proclaiming its time for him to go are in the 2nd CD like myself?
At the end of the day barring an indictment most of us who control his fate with our votes are still happy with him. Disappointed in him and some of the recent drama in is life? Yes, but we like his legislative record and his fighting for his district.
Don’t get me wrong many folks in or around the 2nd, myself included, have already started speculating and picking favorites should he step down/not run, but barring an indictment we expect him back.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 12:58 pm:
Captain, with all due respect, I must protest once again. I find it extremely difficult to believe that a real “go-getter” like Mr. Kirk isn’t either in bed “think up ways to screw” someone (like Iran), writing a speech on ways to affect world peace through culture and one-sided trade deals that even Miss America would envy, or keeping his coffers filled.
- jt - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 1:01 pm:
Does he use alcohol or drugs to cope with stress and exhaustion? Just wondering.
- Shore - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 1:10 pm:
Wndycty here are the stories JJJ has been most notable for the last 4 years-the senate debacle, nyack, blago trial, affair, booze gate, primary, airport, awol. He’s disrespecting you with that stuff and taking advantage of your trust but if that’s what you want, enjoy.
I’ve been critical on kirk, and until we get a dr’s note from jackson, like we have from kirk, saying that this is legit and directly related to his bypass, he hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt.
- Louie - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 1:12 pm:
It is being report Lindsay Lohan is being treated for exhaustion. Must be something going around.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 1:25 pm:
He’s either really ill or we’ll have to wait for the other shoe to drop.
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 1:48 pm:
JJJ must be pretty tough, with all that is going on with him it all just caught up with him now.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 2:27 pm:
If Kirk can sit out indefinitely to recover from a stroke & surgery, I don’t have a problem with JJ sitting out to recover from his problems, whatever they may be.
If the House ethics committee or the Feds have something on him, they should move with it. If not, drop it.
In the meantime, I’m happy that Peotone Int’l talk as ceased for a while, maybe forever.
- Stones - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 3:59 pm:
I couldn’t disagree with Kasich Walker more. It’s tough to compare Sen. Kirk’s well documented stroke and JJJ’s undocumented claimed exhaustion. Sorry, I’m just not buying it - he owes his constituents a better explanation.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 4:14 pm:
@Stones - They’re both taking time off. I don’t see why the reason for taking time off makes a difference.
Either they can or can not perform their duties. JJ has only been out a couple weeks.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 4:26 pm:
Tribune reporting a new wrinkle in the timing of the announcement:
“Frank Watkins, his Washington spokesman, said the news was released just before 5 p.m. Central Time on Monday. Five p.m. that day was the deadline for independent candidates to file nomination papers with the State Board of Elections for a spot on the ballot for the November election for the seat…”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-new-wrinkle-in-timing-of-jackson-jrs-announcement-20120627,0,3395515.story
- soccermom - Wednesday, Jun 27, 12 @ 5:09 pm:
Here’s a scoop — JJJ was taken to his Fortress of Solitude in the North Pole in a flying sleigh pulled by sparkleponies!
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-new-wrinkle-in-timing-of-jackson-jrs-announcement-20120627,0,3395515.story?track=rss
- Fed up - Thursday, Jun 28, 12 @ 8:51 am:
It’s hard work building an airport all by yourself.