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* Many news reports on Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s mysterious disappearance have included comments from constituents about their supreme frustration with their US Rep. But a new We Ask America poll found that he still has a strong majority of support…
Keep in mind when reading these numbers that Jackson’s new remapped district is much less African-American than his old district. It’s 53.8 percent African-American, compared to 67.7 percent under the old map.
Also, Marcus Lucas is a write-in candidate. I’m not sure he’ll end up with that many votes come election day. Oops. Got my candidates mixed up. Lucas is on the ballot. Sorry.
* Respondents were then asked “Do you AGREE or DISAGREE with this statement: ‘I am happy with the congressional candidates on the ballot. I do not wish someone else was running instead.’” The results…
Clearly, Jackson enjoys the support of the voters he represents, and perhaps its time for those who continue to express incredulity to get over it. Jesse Jackson Jr. is safe at home.
* Meanwhile, in other Jackson news…
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., who is dealing with mental health issues, will return to the Mayo Clinic “soon” for further care, his father said Sunday.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. told the Chicago Tribune his son would go to the clinic Rochester, Minn., for re-evaluation and to seek to “regain his equilibrium.” The newspaper said a source close to congressman said he would head to the Mayo early this week, but the elder Jackson said it would not happen Sunday. […]
The elder Jackson said his son had been seeing doctors daily in Washington since leaving the clinic early last month as he attempted to return to work while dealing with his health issues, the newspaper said.
The father said his son’s condition does not lend itself to an “artificial schedule.”
* And Jackson has paid for a robocall to his constituents…
Embattled United States Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. says he’s “anxious to return to work,” but gave no timeline for ending his months-long medical leave from Congress, instead asking for constituents’ “patience” in a 90-second automated call sent out to his south suburban 2nd Congressional District Saturday.
In the robocall, first reported by WBEZ and confirmed by a Jackson family spokesman, the congressman explains he’s been undergoing medical treatment to address “several serious health issues.”
“Like many human beings, a series of events came together in my life at the same time and they’ve been difficult to sort through,” said Jackson, who has been on leave since June and is reportedly also dealing with legal and personal problems.
“I am human. I’m doing my best. And I’m trying to sort through them all,” Jackson said.
* The robocall…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 9:56 am
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If his constituents re-elect him, they have only themselves to blame for the representation that they will get. I’m just incredulous that there is a single voter outside of his immediate family that would still vote for him.
Comment by BigDoggie Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:06 am
That is what democracy is…
Comment by OneMan Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:19 am
I’m not a resident of his district and I think it’s up to his constituents.
But what might they be thinking? One thought might be that this is how they would like to be treated should they become ill over an extended period. Alas, for most Americans, keeping your job with full pay and benefits during a protracted illness requiring absence from work is not remotely possible. Even civil servants have sick days that can run out.
Others might be thinking what difference does it make given how extremely useless Congress has become.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:28 am
BigDoggie, I wouldn’t be too worried about it. There’s never been a shortage of Congresscritters — now or in the past — that would make you question the judgement, if not the sanity, of their constituents.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:31 am
I will vote for Marcus Lewis.
Jesse Jackson, Jr. is returning to Mayo. My assumption is that Jackson has mental health issues. Mayo wouldn’t lend it’s name to some ruse.
If Jackson is backsliding, it’s hard to be confident that he’s going to return as a full-time member of Congress.
And my observations of Jackson before he officially was labelled as mentally ill, were that there was something not quite right.
Jackson was way off the mark on basic facts about the length of time it would take a Metra train to get from Chicago to Peotone when he spoke to IVI-IPO.
And when Jackson spoke at the Hegewisch Public Library about the Affordable Care Act, he was weak on the details. He seemed like someone who got briefed for 45 minutes before speaking, not someone who had been engaged in the negotiation process.
If Jackson is re-elected, I will be pushing for him to resign if he’s not back serving the district in Congress by inauguration.
Jackson will have the opportunity to run again in 2014 or later if his medical and legal issues clear.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:37 am
We get the government we deserve….
Comment by Shemp Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 10:41 am
That does not surprise me in the slightest. One of the under-appreciated aspects of Obama is that he actually had the stones to primary a theoretically flawed CBC incumbent, which is almost unheard of regardless of circumstances.
Jackson Jr is in a fine position to pull a Bill Jefferson and stay there till the feds actually pry him out with jail time or alternately some random goof beats him a few cycles down the road.
Comment by Will Caskey Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 11:07 am
BTW, the sample ballot I got from the Chicago Board of Elections has Marcus Lewis on the ballot.
Comment by Carl Nyberg Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 11:14 am
Hate to nitpick, but the write-in candidate in this election is the Rev. Anthony Williams. Marcus Lewis’ name is on the actual printed ballot.
-30-
Comment by gregory tejeda Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 11:19 am
While it is evident that the Congressman needs additional time to heal, the residents of the 2nd Congressional District are without representation in Congress. Specifically the residents Chicago’s Southeast side and the over 30,000 Latino’s who live in Chicago’s 10th Ward. We have no voice in the halls of government from Congress to Alderman. The Congressman should put the needs of his constituents in the 2nd CD ahead of his own.
Comment by No Representation Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 11:20 am
I can’t believe I agree with Cassandra, but I do.
Useless, indeed.
Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 11:24 am
I wish there was someone else on the ballot. The other folks on there seem to think they should win by default. Instead of using the media opportunities presented by this situation to explain their visions for the district, they just accuse JJJr of not having one. Running and complaining that folks will just vote for the other guy annoys me. Knock on my door and have a conversation. Show me a plan.
JJJr. has been less than forthcoming during this situation and it reflects poorly upon him and his campaign. I think if you need extensive healing you should step down. But at least he ASKED for my vote.
I hate special elections because of the cost…but that may be the only way we get representation.
Comment by BitMoreComplicated Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 3:05 pm
–The other folks on there seem to think they should win by default. Instead of using the media opportunities presented by this situation to explain their visions for the district, they just accuse JJJr of not having one.–
Rumor has it that there is an Illinois Republican Party. You’d think they might jump for the throat here, given Rep. Jackson’s legal and medical issues, and try to make some noise in southern Cook and Will.
If not money, time or staff, maybe they could donate some “Fire Madigan” coffee mugs to their nominee.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 3:20 pm
Word…since it’s near Halloween, maybe the ghost of Ed Derwinski will show up on the ballot. The south suburbs used to routinely return him to Congress as an R, much like JJJr’s “automatic” terms.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 5:39 pm
===Rumor has it that there is an Illinois Republican Party.===
- wordslinger -,
you better be able to prove there is a GOP in I.L.L. before just posting from the hip that the GOP exists here in Illinois.
I am suprised at you, - wordslinger -, starting rumors like that. Very suprised, indeed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 6:06 pm
Proof positive, Illinois is a bad joke.
Comment by Heh Heh Monday, Oct 22, 12 @ 6:50 pm
HH, Illinois is not a joke, certainly not in private business, but let’s get real:
How is it possible that the GOP doesn’t even seriously contest the Cook County States Attorneys race?
Last I checked, the most GOP votes in statewide elections come from Cook County. Savvy?
And I’m quite sure there is no shortage of rich Republican lawyers on LaSalle Street. You wiseguys can’t compete?
What is wrong with you guys? Did you hit your heads, really hard, or did you just give up?
If you don’t believe there’s a market for a moderate GOP in Cook County, take your money and move to Boca.
Can’t you read? Do the math? You stand for nothing, let the Tea Partiers run the show and ask for crums.
We could use a Republican Party in this state. Anyone want to step up?
Big Jim, Ty, Sam Vinson, Dan Webb…. all the usual suspects….
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 23, 12 @ 12:14 am
I guess that one robo-call took a lot out of Junior, but I hope he is able to finally overcome this strange “bi-polling” disorder and get all of those crippling polls out of his head. For more full funny coverage, see http://www.chicagonow.com/fluffington-post/2012/10/jesse-jackson-jr-relapses/
Comment by Jeff Burdick Tuesday, Oct 23, 12 @ 6:45 am