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US Rep. Jackson complains about Blagojevich

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Illinois

Congressman Jackson has some harsh words about Gov. Blagojevich.

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., a probable candidate for Chicago mayor who has blasted contracting and hiring scandals at City Hall, complained today about alleged corruption surrounding the office of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

“I have not made an endorsement yet in the governor’s race, and I am very concerned about the example that is being set in that office,” Jackson said at a meeting with the Tribune’s editorial board. […]

“I believe that what is taking place with Mr. Rezko has greatly contributed to lack of voter enthusiasm in the current contest, and that it is very damaging to our democracy,” Jackson said. “Qualified and very capable peopleâ€¦will not win because voters won’t show up because of behavior at the top.

“What implosion at the top of the ticket does for qualified people who are knocking on doors and trying to get signatures and get petitions is devastating,” the congressman asserted. “People at the top of the ticket have an obligation to people at the bottom.”

That’s an interesting argument. He’s not so much complaining about the corruption itself as the impact the corruption has on the rest of the ticket - and to “democracy” in general.

Whatever the case, it’ll give y’all something to talk about tonight.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 6:29 pm

Comments

Sounds like Jr. is wanting some attention.

Comment by ???????? Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 6:46 pm
Sorry JJJ, but I think that the lack of voter enthusiasm has more to do with the quality of the two major candidates. YECH!

Comment by Buck Flagojevich Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 7:22 pm
Even a broken clock is right twice a day - this is Jesse Jr.’s time to be right . . . if not prophetic. I am encouraged by his clarity in making his observation on the Blagjevich corruption and its dampening impact on the process. Wonder what Bill in Rehab thinks, afterall, Jesse is an “insider” of the Illinois Democrat Party. Betcha he and Daddy Mell had a beer or two together since the Rezko Scandal! Democrats distancing themselves from Blago is an excercise of the survival instinct and rather timely I must say. God knows when Fitzgerald will drop the next shoe - soon I would imagine.

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 7:40 pm
hmm, what does Rod have to offer J3 to shut the heck up? Hmmm. It looks like J3 is a chip off the old block. And to keep with sayings “Even the blind squirrel occasionally finds the acorn”.

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:07 pm
Well unless Jesse Jr. wants to make an endorsmenet for governor pretty soon then he needs to shut up and stop trying to act like his daddy when it comes to being in the spotlight. I think what he said was right but if he doesn’t make an endorsement for governor then he needs to be quiet. however this is what concerns me the most. you see I believe that after that education rally that Operation Push held downtown that Rich Whitney attended I think they might give him an endorsmement. I know that would be very rare to see someone like the jacksons support a third part candidate but it may just happen.

Comment by JakeCP Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:08 pm
Well of course - my God - if you can’t endorse your party’s corrupt candidate, and definitely not the candidate of the other major party, then what better way to show your “lofty ideals and ethics” but to endorse a third party candidate without a chance. I guess this is as close to statesmanship and honor in politics as the Dems are going to come. Well, heck, nevertheless by golly I applaud even this baby step of progress. Attaboy, Jesse Jr.

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:18 pm
Quick, someone give Jr. and The Rev. some love. Must have not seen their name in the press for 24 hours and hit the panic button.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:24 pm
best said many years ago, GO JESSE GO!

Comment by big al Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:27 pm
JakeCP, you noticed that Rich Whitney was one of the speakers, alongside Jessie Jackson Jr., at the Push Excel event, huh? I think that everyone there also noticed that Rich is the only candidate supporting House Bill 750.

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:35 pm
Who else is Jackson going to support? He can’t support Whitney, because Whitney is the only candidate opposed to Jackson’s superfluous third airport (s.t.a.). So I guess the matter becomes, who is going to build the S.T.A. faster for him: Judy or Roddy. I’m guessing he’s trying to squeeze Blagojevich, get something out of him, ala Meeks.

Comment by M.V. Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:37 pm
Jesse Jackson right? . . pinch, pinch, owww! My goodness, I guess it’s true. Any other dems out there that would like to come clean and get religion? Blagojevich is damaged beyond repair goods. Time to turn to the light. You all will be welcome, no hard feelings. Welcome Aboard the Victory Wagon. You too bill.

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:42 pm
Three-Jay should have told Meeks the deal he was making was going to fall thru… just like the Peotone airport deal… Blago is not a man of his word.

Comment by Come ON!?!?! Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:42 pm
Go Get ‘Em Jesse!

Comment by Fed up Dem Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:48 pm
Squideshi yes I was aware that he was one of the speakers. But let me tell you something about a lot of Operation push Folks. they don’t do the whole third party thing and wheteher you like it or not they are still going to vote blago because they only know how to vote democratic. So tough luch for you with the Operation Push Folks. You heard how Jackson said he wants to hear Topinka and Blago debate on it. That means he isn’t fully behind Whitney. Plus he’s on WVON. No one on WVON supports third party candidates.

Comment by JakeCP Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:48 pm
“…Blago is not a man of his word. …” Unless you know Kelly, Rezko et al and they tell Blago to do it. Come On guys, wake up and smell the graft. It’s right in front of our collective noses. Oh well, Fitgerald will spell it out even more clearly than his 65 page indictment of Rezko. Stay tuned!

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 8:50 pm
Congressman Jackson is simply pointing out the obvious in regards to the corruption allegations, etc.

But one has to wonder whether the republican or democratic candidates are going to debate education funding prior to the election. Not ruling out Whitney at the debates - but at this point - how successful is that endeavor going to be. I would love to see all three candidates at a debate. It is a dis-service to the voters in this state.

Comment by Disenchanted One Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:01 pm
I bet he said with a pensive, serious look on his face too.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:19 pm
Hmmmmm - I wonder if Blago knows how many “opportunities” rest in the education arena? Oh! Silly me - Teachers Retirement System, that’s it. If there are no opportunities for profit for Blago and his coconspirators in it then it isn’t going to happen! Unless of course there is a smoke screen to be had. But then it still goes on beyond the smokescreen. Just like G Ryan, Blago is continuing his modus operandi EVEN after the feds are literally breathing down his neck. These felons and felons to be just don’t know when to stop. Damn if it isn’t fun to watch though. I still think that we need a law in Illinois on this stuff that would call for a “Catch and Release” approach. That way they could do the crimes, we could watch Fitz chase and catch them, and then throw them back so we could have the same fun again. Guess with all the crooks in the political lake to be caught that isn’t needed. Oh Well. Go Fitz and GO CARDS!

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:22 pm
Obama, Jackson, Emmanuel, and Rush are in the process of taking over the Democrat Party in Illinois. Jackson will beat Daley the next time around. None of the four have any use for Blagojevich. This is the first public step in the dumping of Blagojevich by the gang of 4 plus Meeks that will keep the African American vote for Blago at a minimum. The Governor is dead!!! Mayor Daley is on life support and the gang of 4 are looking for the plug to the respirator!!!

Comment by Muletown Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:33 pm
There is currently a leadership vacuum in state politics and JJJ could conceivably fill it.

Comment by Emily Booth Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:41 pm
clutching my chest…..clutching my chest ” I’m com’n to meet you Edith!” Redd Fox (you did mean Bobby and not Limbaugh, right?)

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:42 pm
Jesse Jackson Jr.was at a rally in Park Ridge last Haloween and was very well recieved, Tom Roeser who is a Conservative Republican is one of Jackson’s biggest supporters. He should have another rally for disgruntled city workers on the Northwest side of the city, now that the machine is almost dead these city workers would prefer Jackson to Daley.

Comment by Charlie Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 9:57 pm
If Jesse Jackson, Jr. is worried about the missed opportunities for the Dems to gain ground in Illinois I have two suggestions.

1. He should donate a chunk of his $1.3 million warchest to the DCCC.
2. He should start an Act Blue page for Illinois Democrats.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 10:19 pm
FINAL - Cards 4, Mets 2 Blago, zip!

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 10:46 pm
Is Jessie Jr. going to give back the $2000 he received from Rezko in 2004? I mean if he is so concerned about corruption, shouldn’t he be willing to set an example?

And speaking of setting an example, why hasn’t anyone asked Obama if he’s going to give back the money he received from Rezko? According to FEC filings, he has received over $17,000 from Rezko since his first campaign for congress.

Comment by GOPGal Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 11:08 pm
MEMO TO J-CUBED:

When Blago promises you whatever it is he ends up promising you in order to get you to shut up, you better remember to get a signed MOU!

Comment by Casey Jones Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 11:13 pm
MEMO TO J-CUBED:

Screw the MOU. Blago is UNBELIEVABLE, especially three weeks before the election. He didn’t honor the MOU’s he signed for members of his own party. Blago is a pathological liar and at this point, doesn’t know the truth and can’t handle the truth either. BRING IT ON ELVIS!

Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 11:25 pm
Perhaps the infinite wisdom of the electorate will send Blago an MOU he can’t refuse! If not, then of course, I think Fitz will author one for him!

Comment by Citizen A Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 11:45 pm
Mr. Miller there isn’t a link here.

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 11:54 pm
Where;s Bill?

Comment by Springfield Resident Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:30 am
Maybe people are starting to pay attention to the “Bladgo the Clown” & his troop. It’s going to take minority leaders as well to point this out & soon as to what a crud job this guy has done. The influnce they may have on thier constiuency may yet save the day. Dem’s ought to realize this too that 4 more is everything they see & more…screw 2006, Bladgo & re-group for 2010 with a “vetted candidate” for a possible re-try. If they don’t this stigma will follow anyone around with a “Dem” ID. Bladgo has got to move on !!!

Comment by annon. Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 5:48 am
This does not look good for Blagojevich. I hope other democrats start distancing themselves from him also. He has made a mockery of the state agencies under him. There was to be no hiring without the Governors personal approval. Look at the mess that the state agencies are in. Hiring people in policy making positions without any experience is never a good idea. There have been people fired for falsifying time cards, yet the lady who Blagojevich told his employee to find a job for did not report to her position for a month and stated that she did not even know where Whiteside County was. How did she get paid yet she admitted she didnâ€™t even show up for the job?

Comment by state worker A Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 5:50 am
Springfield Resident,
Sorry, some of us have to work for a living. I can happily report from some large precincts in Rep. Jackson’s district that voters are strongly supporting Rod.In fact, we are driving them to police stations and libraries so that they can vote. If we can keep this up the election may be over before Nov. 7..The people in these areas love Rev. Meeks and their other state legislators but many are cool to Junior. He probably should be paying more attention to his constitutients and leave the senior spokesman role to Senior. Maybe he should move to the north side of Chicago where he spends most of his time lately and run against Rahm. There are a lot of Blagojevich signs on all the major streets in Junior’s district and we are hoping for the usual huge turnout in the south suburbs where they have possibly the most powerful Regular Dem organization in the state.
Sincerely,
The Todd and Rod Squad
Bring it on, if possible.
P.s.
Today we will be in the 3rd cong district on the east side where we expect another strong turnout for Rod and Todd.
We the people love Todd and Rod.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:06 am
Sorry, the above post at 6:06 was from me. This state computer lost my name. That is probably Rod’s fault!

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:12 am
Dear Feds,

Please do some blog-posting forensics on “Bill” to see if he really is campaigning for Rod on state time and on state computers. Then send him to jail on the buddy plan with his boss.

Comment by Note to Feds Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:27 am
Note:
Don’t be cruel, I’m all shook up!

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:30 am
Jessie Jackson Jr. must “just now” be reading last month’s headlines. Where has this guy been? New Zealand?
Also, whatever happened to Emil Jones? I don’t here him singing that Tammy Wynett song, “Stand By Your Man.” Emil is playing it smart and keeping his distance from Rod Blagojevich just in case he implodes.
When J.F.K. came out with his “Ask not what your country can do for you but rather, what can you do for your country”, most of the Democrats must have heard the word “political party” instead of the word “country”.
This blind obedience or loyalty to one’s political party (whether Democrat or Republican) shows the intellect of these poor “simple minded” individuals.

Comment by Beowulf Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:54 am
I figured Bill out.He is not a state or Blago worker.He’s just one of those guys who goes from chat room to chat room bothering people until he gets barred.I’m glad Rich allows him in here so he will have a life and people to to pay attention to him.No one can be that ignorant.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:55 am
If the Rod and Todd vote comes out it is lights out for JBT and Whitney. The ” lady in waiting ” ( LM ) will be ready to run in four years or the Dems. Who will the Gopers run Alan Keyes ?

Comment by bluedog demo Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 6:56 am
You have to wonder where Jackson’s been all this time not to speak out.

Now, if a US Congressmen from Illinois can speak out about Blagojevich’s failure… and refrain from endorsing him; isn’t thoughts on the Gov a fair question for all the others running for Congress?

Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 7:32 am
JakeCP, I wouldn’t be so sure about Jesse Jr. and WVON this time around. Things are different.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 7:44 am
You just gotta laugh. The Jackson’s are the MASTERS of shakedown. Even Blago is to corrupt for them.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 7:51 am
Kid Staples ( having been surgically altered after the lithe Senator Obama’s apotheosis at the DNC) has been eclipsed by Obama. The best he can do is hope to re-enact those card-board dummy photos that he litters I-57 with - showing his steely gaze beatifying some candidate in his stable.

Obama is a player - but one who still needs to get his sea-legs.

Speaker Madigan handed Obama several layers of posterior epidermis on the odd occasion to remind the hard working and smart public servant that he is not Oprah - yet.

Comment by Pat Hickey Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 8:23 am
Down,
You are right. I am not a state worker as I have stated many times. I do support the Governor because I feel that he is the best candidate to lead this state forward. Under Governor Blagojevich Illinois has become a leader in this nation in job growth, assuring health care for children, seniors, and veterans, and advancing a progressive social agenda that should make every Illinoisan proud. I am sorry if my posts “bother”: you and I am grateful to Rich Miller for providing this forum for discussion so that, possibly, both sides of an issue can be discused.I don’t go to “chat rooms”, unlike some from our Republican congressional delegation, and I have never been “barred” from anywhere.
By the way, congratulations on your last post. Your spelling and grammar is slowly but surely improving. Keep trying. Hard work always pays off.
Bring it on.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 8:29 am
BILL if I am wrong then I stand corrected but didn’t Rich have you on hold for a while.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 8:35 am
This statement from Jesee Jackson, Jr., begs a question and fosters a statement:

1) What does Jackson want from the governor in return for an endorsement?

2) Whitney’s platform is much more in-line with Operation PUSH ideals and Jackson, Sr’s., platform than is Blagojevich’s platform.

2)

Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 8:47 am
What kind of relationship will Jackson have with Blagojevich now that Jesse has made this public announcement weeks before the election? Jackson didn’t have to say anything at this time, but chose to. Does Jackson think Blagojevich will be in the governor’s office and not make Jesse pay a price for this public betrayal?

It appears that Jackson doesn’t think Blagojevich is long for this political world.

When pols start abandoning one another, it can be safely said that there is extremely bad news being whispered behind the scenes.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:07 am
Jake CP, your polling numbers show Rich Whitney with a huge lead in the race for Gov. Can you explain?

And one more thing, please explain how we can keep Jr. quiet?

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:10 am
‘And one more thing, please explain how we can keep Jr. quiet? ‘

A Tonguey Tuck?

Comment by Pat Hickey Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:23 am
Can you spell SHAKE DOWN.

This from a Congressman who calls white people LEMON HEADS, and Italian Americans Scungili heads and forces people to pay his pollster and extorts payment for photos with him.
Jackson is a racist phony.
The media has never called him on this.

Comment by V Fry Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:43 am
“Downstate,” Bill voluntarily banned himself for a while.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:07 am
Kudos to Congressman Jackson for stepping up.
As far as democracy is concerned in Illinois state government, forgettaboutit.
We’ve been under a dictatorship for the last 3+ years. Blagojevich inauguration will be more like a coronation.

Comment by Guy Fawkes Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 10:10 am
The odds for coronation 1 in 10,000. For incarceration 1 in 1. Go figure. This of course from an independant poll.

Comment by Citizen A Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 11:00 am
Bill said, “…I am grateful to Rich Miller for providing this forum for discussion so that, possibly, both sides of an issue can be discused.”

You see? That’s the problem with the Blagojevich campain–they think that there are only TWO sides to every issue. Heck, they don’t even know that there are THREE candidates on the ballot.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:12 pm
I’d say Jackson just wanted to see his name in print so he dreamed up a little whit for everyone to chat about. Jackson’s constituents will vote for Blago with or without Jackson’s endorsement. Jackson is angry with the Gov for not giving his ALNAC group the ‘less than half the state-owned disconneted land’ for his never ending push for an airport in rural Peotone. If he doesn’t get his way he pouts and cries to the media and they listen. He won’t support Whitney because Whitney is opposed to his dream of building a politically driven airport in eastern Will County, Whitney knows it is not needed, a waste of tax dollars and that the agricultural land should be conserved for developing future bio-fuels for Illinois. Sorry guys, I don’t have any thoughts on the Cards/Mets game.

Comment by Judy, Judy, Judy Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 12:34 pm
Kettle, Black……..

Comment by fortitude Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 1:16 pm
Hey Squideshi even though things have changed I’m sorry but WVON will never change. The only time I have heard anyone from WVON support a Republican was Garfield Majors who supports Tony Peraica. Anyway Broken heart I truly don’t know how to keep him quiet. Partially because Blagojevich is doing a crappy job so I’m not surprised. Plus you have to consider that he comes from a family with big mouths.

Comment by JakeCP Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:44 pm
Oh and about the poll results my assumption is that you and some of your friends (Whitney Supporters) voted in my poll. You see I only have 78 votes which should be well then enough to explain why Whitney has a huge lead. On October the 21 I will be giving the results of the poll. if you would like to vote in this poll then go to jakeschicagopolitics.blogspot.com You see even Blago hasn’t been above 7% since the first day the poll was made.

Comment by JakeCP Wednesday, Oct 18, 06 @ 9:50 pm