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Rev. Jackson “chagrined” about Duckworth endorsement

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Illinois

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a key ally of Senate candidate Andrea Zopp, stepped up pressure on the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Wednesday for endorsing her rival, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill. […]

Jackson wrote, “to the chagrin of many loyal Democrats, we have read in the press that Representative Tammy Duckworth has been endorsed by your committee without a phone call or the proper vetting conversation.”

“Ms. Zopp is in the community she represents. She deserves respectful treatment,” Jackson said.

* But the DSCC isn’t backing down…

Last week, Justin Barasky said before endorsing Duckworth they met with others considering an Illinois Senate bid, including Reps. Cheri Bustos, Bill Foster and Robin Kelly, who is African-American. Baraksy said the DSCC “kept the lines of communication open but Andrea Zopp did neither.”

* And it issued this response…

“The DSCC is proud to have endorsed Tammy Duckworth and stand with her throughout the campaign because she is the best candidate to beat a senator like Mark Kirk, whose racist and sexist comments have repeatedly put him in hot water.”

This one ain’t gonna be pretty.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:39 pm

Comments

The questions are whether the battle will last up to primary day, how heated will it get, and will there immediately be a day of healing. I think Duckworth is the clear favorite and she needs to be careful not to alienate factions within her party.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:46 pm
I wonder what corporate gig Zopp will hook up Jesse Jackson Jr. when he’s out of prison. Something had to be in play here.

Tammy is an Asian American military veteran,this isn’t your father’s DSCC where white men drink cigars, whiskey and play kingmaker. Stay classy Rev.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Yep. It’s already a sty. The only advantage to the GOP is that the pig slop starts flying with a vicious primary on the other side.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:49 pm
How do you drink a cigar?

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Jackson is not alone.

This perception bubbled up in some during the governor’s race, and ignoring it by doubling down as the DSCC just did will not help.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Zopp will take the path of her leader Bill Daley and drop out long before the primary.

Comment by james the intolerant Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:52 pm
I hate to find myself somewhat agreeing with the good Reverend, but if the DSCC could talk to all those other unannounced candidates they could have talked to Ms Zopp. Was the outcome a foregone conclusion? Sure, but look at all the trouble a simple meeting or phone call could have avoided.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 1:56 pm
==without a phone call==

Even if the fix was in, this was clumsy. Make a phone call at least. Sheesh.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:00 pm
=== whose racist and sexist comments have repeatedly put him in hot water. ===

Wasn’t it just once comment, not repeated comments?

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:05 pm
I usually don’t agree with much Rev Jackson does, but here I have to. The DC insiders picked their player a long time ago and just shows how out of touch Washington-centered politics has become.

Zopp is an intelligent and experienced woman who deserves a chance to run. The DSCC decision completely ignores what us real Illinoisians might want for our state.

Comment by Crust Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:13 pm
Goodbye Sen. Kirk!

Comment by Notta Fan Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:22 pm
I don’t understand. Did Zopp try and meet with them and they declined but took meetings with everyone else? I highly doubt that but don’t understand the meaning here otherwise.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:29 pm
Kirk was going to lose without all of this unnecessary nastiness.

Interesting to see the insider class go toe to toe with the corporate interests in the party. Personally, I’m not entirely enthused with either candidate.

Comment by Mittuns Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:33 pm
=How do you drink a cigar?= Remember a Seinfeld where Kramer smoked a cigarette while drinking a beer.
To the post, which candidate gives the best chance to defeat Kirk? While I’m not a Duckworth fan, she will attract Asian-Americans, veterans, women and those with disabilities to the fold.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:33 pm
=How do you drink a cigar? =
Bill Clinton had some experience related to cigars.

Comment by Apocalypse Now Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Of course Duckworth had an inside track. But it was up to Zopp to try and get the endorsements from the DSCC and Emily’s List. Others may know better than I do, but I don’t believe she made the efforts to reach out that the other possible candidates did.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:39 pm
I too am not to thrilled with either candidate.

Comment by Because I said so... Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Organize a protest Jessie. Become even more irrelevant.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:41 pm
Zopp also had a problem in that the other possibles had demonstrated a high level of demonstrated national fundraising capability that will be necessary in this campaign.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:43 pm
It ain’t a party until Sharpton shows up. (heavy snark)

So, one candidate from a protected status is upset another candidate from a protected status was chosen over her. Which protected status will prevail?

Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:45 pm
I’m with James. I think Zopp is a Bill Daley-like candidate, campaigning exclusively through Sneed until the inevitable drop out.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:47 pm
==…the other possibles had demonstrated a high level of demonstrated national fundraising capability that will be necessary in this campaign.====

Like, um, who?

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:50 pm
Guy, all those others mentioned have national lists. Some are bigger than others, but they all have them from previous a Federal runs. Trust me, fundraising for that Senate seat is a whole different animal than what Zopp has done before.

Comment by Archiesmom Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 2:58 pm
Archmom, whole different animal for Tammy too. Not a prolific fundraiser. Thus the transfer from DCCC to the Senate Dem funders. Beyond lending her name to the ballot, there won’t be much campaigning for her. It was tough before. It’s even tougher now.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 3:40 pm
My understanding is Zopp is and was polling in the low single digits….

Comment by burbanite Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 4:26 pm
If Jackson is supporting Zopp-I will campaign for Duckworth.

Comment by vegetarianlush Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 6:27 pm
Zopp has been raising money at a respectable clip. She has a good resume’. She was formerly the 1st Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney.

As a prosecutor, she helped convict former Congressman Mel Reynolds.

Tammy was anointed by the Democrats in Illinois and her endorsement was to be expected.

Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 6:37 pm
Sorry, Rev. but with all due respect, I’ve never heard of Ms. Zopp, OTH, I *have* heard of Ms. Duckworth…& long before she officially held political office. That matters in campaigns.

Comment by greenie Thursday, Jul 16, 15 @ 7:25 pm