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* The Sun-Times quotes Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., who appeared on WLS today..
“The prosecution has concluded, I assume, that what I have to say doesn’t contribute to their case,” Jackson said. “I assume they have no evidence or else they would have brought a charge.
“If I’m a conspirator — bring it on.”
Probably not a good move. The last time somebody in power said “Bring it on,” they did. And they still are.
* Jackson also said he had no idea that the people sitting at his table were plotting to contribute $1 million to Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund to get Jackson appointed to the US Senate. Why? Because they were speaking Hindi…
“How about this? ‘Congressman meets with director of economic development and trade for the State of Illinois . . . met with him for 30 minutes in the presence of other people and discussed the third airport. Then another gentleman showed up and started having another conversation practically in Hindu, because I don’t speak Hindu . . . and I didn’t participate in any of that part of the conversation, nor do I even remember hearing it. And I have witnesses present.’”
One of the witnesses, Rajinder Bedi, testified at Blagojevich’s trial that Jackson was sitting with him and another fund-raiser, Raghuveer Nayak, when the $1 million was discussed. Bedi, a government witness, did not say he was speaking in Hindu. Bedi then testified he paid a visit later that same day to Rod Blagojevich’s brother, Robert, and passed along a message that the then-governor would receive campaign money if Jackson were appointed.
Click here to listen to the full interview.
*** UPDATE *** Dean Vallas is running Gery Chico’s mayoral bid…
The brother of former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas said Friday he will run the mayoral campaign of Gery Chico, who has served Mayor Richard M. Daley in several high-profile posts.
Dean Vallas said Chico, 54, will begin circulating nominating petitions Saturday to get on the ballot for the Feb. 22 election to replace the retiring mayor.
Chico told the Chicago News Cooperative on Sunday that he would only enter the race if he could raise $4 million in campaign donations. Dean Vallas said donors already have pledged “at least half” that amount to Chico’s bid for mayor.
Vallas told Chicago Magazine this week that he was behind a “Democrats for Brady” organization. I wonder what Chico thinks about that.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:01 pm
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“I assume” — perhaps two of the most consequential words linked together in the English language. They have lead to some of man’s greatest screw ups.
Comment by Vole Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:18 pm
Why is JJJ saying anything? Hindi. HINDI! They were probably saying, “This guy’s a boob.”
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:20 pm
This reminds me of the Congressional hearing on steroids, when Sammy Sosa claimed, through his attorney, that he suddenly couldn’t speak English.
Junior better hope that they have NO evidence with which to charge him.
Comment by eastsider Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:22 pm
Dear Junior: shut it, just shut it! hugs bro, your attorney
Comment by Amalia Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:28 pm
I hope JJJ runs for Mayor………just for the joy of watching him defeated.
By the way one shouldn’t taunt Feds. Those guys generally lack any sense of humor or proportion. Ask Rob “Brother Blago” Blago if you don’t believe me.
Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:29 pm
You can almost count this as an announcement that he is running. For him to win, he has to put this past him and the only way is call call the feds hand. If they fold, he can run.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:31 pm
JJJ can run, but he can’t hide.
For my next yoke………
If he does run I presume he will get the majority of black votes in February and likely make the runoff. Where he will be defeated by the candidate not named Jackson.
That has to be a dream scenario for Rahmbo. Ten white and hispanic candidates splitting the February vote and then JJJ V Rahmbo for the win.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH
Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:37 pm
There is no way he is running. Meeks is running for him. He’s just trying to leverage something out of Emanuel — my guess is it has something to do with his Third Airport JJJ’s White Whale.
Jackson would be better off concentrating on improving the actual district he represents now — how about a federal grant to demolish the mall on Dixie Highway for starters.
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:46 pm
JJJ shouldn’t run off his mouth until the statutue of limitations is up…. what is it for federal corruption charges? 3 years?
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:47 pm
who ever thought the high point of JJJ’s career would be the Huggies in Denver????
Comment by D.P. Gumby Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:54 pm
Why is he so sure they were speaking in Hindu? Maybe they were speaking in Muslim.
Comment by girllawyer Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:55 pm
It’s starting to look like JJJ really is not all that smart. In past years he had seemed to be able to balance the advantage of his famous name while avoiding many of his father’s worst mistakes and traits. (Like shooting his mouth off, and verbalizing unfortunate racial and ethnic goofs.)
It must be killing JJJ to have this Blago thing still hanging when he desperately wants to be taken seriously as a mayoral candidate. But, trying to bring it to a head in this way? It’s like he is waving a red cape in front of the bull.
And I can’t see that this will help Sandi much either, if they are still “discussing amongst themselves at home” who should run.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:56 pm
girllawyer, Muslim is not a language.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:56 pm
Rich,
Girllawyer was being sarcastic.
“Hindu” is not a language and that’s how JJJ referred to it.
It’s likely “Hindi” that was being spoken.
Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 2:59 pm
I prefer it when the Jacksons pretend that they are not Chicago royalty. I also find their demeanor quite changed when they are caught off guard facing a press conference after the Blagojevich arrest. I near expected Jackson to wet his pants that day.
Hindi?
When I am having a conversation in another language I ensure that the person I am talking about know what is being said. While that person may not know the languauge or know every word said, they know what was said enough. Jackson thinks he found an out here.
If they discussed this ilegal activity in a language the Congressman does not speak they all knew why they did. If this was true we would have heard that fact during earlier testimony.
Jackson is lying.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 3:04 pm
Thanks, Irish Pirate. Yes, I thought JJJ’s confusion of the Hindu religion with the Hindi language was part of the point of Rich’s post - because it is so ignorant but all too common. Guess not.
Comment by girllawyer Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 3:11 pm
girllawyer,
JCubed only speaks American.
Comment by Cincinnatus Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 3:22 pm
So, according to JJJ, Lavin, the state ‘director of economic development,’ was at this meeting. How long is Quinn going to keep this guy around? Lavin’s petty and tyrannical style has already run the competent people out of the gov’s office and out of the campaign. And his advice regarding Garrett, Wright, LaFleur and others was terrible. How long is Quinn going to keep this Blagohack around?
Comment by chicago 7 Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 3:23 pm
chicago 7-
Until inauguration day in 2011 I imagine.
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 3:30 pm
Doesn’t Jackson have a lawyer advising him to keep his mouth shut? He should, taunting the Feds is like tugging on Superman’s cape, you just don’t do it. Or does he think bringing up the case will get him more media and voter attention?
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:00 pm
Taunting the feds is one more piece of evidence that JJ Junior is not qualified for public office.
How’s that airport going, anyway??
Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:15 pm
Bambenek, its “statue” of limitations. Sheesh.
Comment by anon Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:33 pm
Actually, it’s “statute of limitations.”
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:34 pm
===JCubed===
I’m stealing that.
Chico and Vallas will make for an interesting 1-2 punch in the context of competing over the demographic blocs.
Comment by Obamarama Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:36 pm
“I assume they have no evidence or else they would have brought a charge.”
Not good reasoning there. Look at Patti Blago. They have the goods on her, but no charge.
Comment by Vole Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:37 pm
Does anyone else find it ironic that a few days after meeting with Rahm in DC, JJJ goes spouting off on Fitz?
It’s bad timing. Very bad timing, if only for the perception of the whole thing. Rahm is in a position that he COULD (may or may not) influence potential prosecution through the DOJ and JJJ is absolutely on those tapes (this I KNOW!)
The perception of horsetrading, true or untrue, certainly exists.
Comment by Logical Thinker Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 4:50 pm
Ok Rich girllawer is wrong, but Farsi, Arabic, Turkish etc are! Quit being so picky.
Comment by downhereforyears Friday, Sep 17, 10 @ 6:57 pm
LOL, it’s hard to believe that so many people of such statue could get the words wrong.
VMan, when you have conversations in other languages (tongues?), are you handling snakes and sipping strychnine?
Trips is a trip. He’s a lucky dude, so far. He should probably just keep quiet. Not bloody likely.
Comment by wordslinger Saturday, Sep 18, 10 @ 8:14 am