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Jackson busted coming and going

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Illinois
Obama

* I’ve been complaining about this for days, so I’m glad somebody else finally took notice…

Illinois continues to wait for Governor Rod Blagojevich to pick a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate. Obama officially resigned his seat on Sunday, but lobbying by his potential successors has been going on for weeks, not all of it discreetly. In several instances, the staff of Democratic congressmen from Illinois used government email accounts to promote their bosses’ Senate bids. Those emails are now raising some ethical questions.

The ethics manual for the House of Representatives lays out what are appropriate and inappropriate uses of government computers, phones, office space and emails.

McGEHEE: The rules are clear that you cannot use official resources for campaign or political purposes. […]

Recently, employees of two members of Congress from Illinois have wandered into that gray area. From his government email address, an aide to Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., distributed several messages to reporters related to the vacancy. One included an attachment, a poll, which showed voters in Illinois favor Jackson for the Senate seat, although not overwhelmingly. The congressman’s office could not provide a comment in time for this story.

Another Democrat hoping for the Senate seat, Congressman Danny Davis, held a press conference recently, with the stated purpose of allowing his supporters to “REAFFIRM SUPPORT FOR DAVIS TO REPLACE BARACK OBAMA AS U.S. SENATOR.”

Davis’ chief of staff contacted reporters about the event, in one instance using her government email account.

Jackson’s office routinely sends out political e-mails from government accounts. I warned them about it privately, but finally decided to out them when they didn’t change their ways.

* This looks like another targeted leak designed to bust Jackson’s chops…

The Hill reported Blagojevich had placed calls to Chicago-area Democratic Reps. Danny Davis, Luis Guitierrez and Jan Schakowsky Tuesday and Wednesday. The Washington publication said it wasn’t clear whether the Democratic governor also had talked to Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., another Democrat who has expressed a desire to follow Obama to the Senate.

Jackson couldn’t be reached for comment, The Hill said

While Blagojevich’s office had no comment on the calls, Davis said he had “a great conversation” with the governor Wednesday afternoon. Schakowsky and Gutierrez also reportedly had upbeat talks with Blagojevich this week.

* Stella…

MY SOURCES are telling me that a lot of folks have been approaching retiring Illinois Senate Prez Emil Jones urging him to seek Barack Obama’s now-vacant U.S. Senate seat. And I understand that Jones would gladly accept that spot if appointed by Gov. Blagojevich.

ALSO a group of ministers met over the weekend to urge state Sen. Jackie Collins, a Harvard grad, to seek the seat.

* And they’re coming outta the woodwork…

Dr. Jessica Davis, an African American Democrat and 2007 Mayoral Candidate in Carbondale, Illinois, submits letter of interest in the open Senate seat to Governor Blagojevich. If the Governor does not appoint her to the open Senate seat to serve the next two years, she has expressed plans to throw her hat into the race for the 2010 election. Davis states her reasons for her interest:

“I look like I am 30 years old, but I have passed 30 many days ago. I was
born and raised in the United States…”

OK.

* Meanwhile, in another campaign, this rumor was hot and heavy yesterday…

At Chicago City Hall, stories abounded over who was in and who was out in the developing contest to succeed Emanuel in Congress. Emanuel will be Obama’s chief of staff, and when he formally resigns his congressional seat, Blagojevich must schedule a special election for a replacement.

Ald. Patrick O’Connor (40th), a longtime loyalist to Mayor Richard Daley and the mayor’s unofficial City Council floor leader, acknowledged speaking to Daley about replacing Emanuel but said he hadn’t received the mayor’s blessing.

A Daley endorsement in the contest could quickly reduce the number of participants planning a run for the seat—about a dozen.

“I am interested in [Daley’s] support, and I have had some conversations with him, but nothing specific in terms of whether he will be supportive of me in exclusion to all,” O’Connor said.

The idea is apparently for O’Connor to serve as a seat-warmer until Emanuel decided to return to the House.

* Somewhat related…

* Zorn: Senate pick can skip politicians

* Bernard Schoenburg: Bill Daley mostly silent on idea of run for governor

* Schock, Halvorson join other first-timers on Capitol Hill

* Halvorson-Jackson, Jr. Feud Takes New Shape

* New president may mean new U.S. attorney for Southern District of Illinois

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 10:07 am

Comments

Yes, a mayoral shill representing the 5th in DC is exactly what is needed. Good riddance.

That there’s a real possibility Emil Jones and Pat O’Connor could be replacing Obama and Emanuel respectively on the hill is nauseating.

Comment by The Doc Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 10:41 am
Sometimes you just shake your head in wonder.

The rules on politicking are clear, simple and very easy to follow. In fact, in these instances, there is no upside that I can see to breaking them, only a downside of bad p.r. at the least.

I’m sure Rod is having a ball jerking all these folks around. You can be sure those who get passed over will take every opportunity they can to stick it to him down the road.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 10:59 am
So, O’Connor is so wimpy he’d turn his seat back over to Rahm when Rahm is ready?

Is that the kind of representation his district needs? Ah, those Chicago voters. They are such
ultimate pawns of the powers that be.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 11:16 am
Please Mr. Blagojevich - ask the mirror on the wall, who would be the best Obama replacement of them all - and let that familiar face you see be your confirmation of your new DC digs!

You will have no problem find folks to help you pack!

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 11:46 am
Silly people…Obama can never be ‘replaced’

And now, since Obama has resigned his seat, it is time to rank him among senators that have served Illinois.

I rate his performance squarely between John McCracken Robinson and Elias Kane.

Comment by Leroy Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:34 pm
Danny Davis doing something stupid and/or unethical? I’M SHOCKED! I’ve also heard some rumors about gambling at a place called Rick’s.

Seriously though, we are talking about Danny Davis. What do people expect? I thought this blog was supposed to be “news” source, and not just somne rehash of the obvious.

Comment by Skeeter Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:50 pm
So, will the Gov. make his decision know on Thanksgiving, or will it be a Christmas Present for someone?

I vote for Boxing Day, myself.

Comment by Pat collins Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:51 pm
A seat-warmer? Wow how cynical. LOL!

Comment by Levois Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 1:07 pm
What’s wrong with appointing someone, perhaps Emil Jones, who will only serve two years and let the voters decide in a real contest? Simply handing it to someone, and turning over all the powers of incumbency, would be another sad example of Illinois political elite choosing our leaders for us.

Comment by Upstate Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 2:22 pm
Does anyone think Schiakowsky’s husbands issues will hurt her chances? I know they are a couple years old, but still an issue.

Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 2:49 pm
Hey Everybody, speaking of the U.S. Senate.

There is s a fascinating hyperlink on politicalwire.com to a Minnesota NPR story. You can actually review ten disputed ballots in the Coleman-Franken race and vote on your evaluation of who should get the vote- then compare your decision to others.

Really fun, even though it’s not an Illinois story!

Comment by Captain America Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 3:05 pm
Jesse Jr. is cut from the same cloth as his old man. I’m sure the Jackson’s think they have this all figured out. Wifey moves into his congressional seat and I’m guessing they are in talks with folks about her aldermanic seat. Only one glitch, he isn’t going to get called up.

Comment by Oh my Bama Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 3:27 pm
What is wrong with a talented pol filling the seat of one of Illinois most talented pols ever while he serves his country as Chief of Staff? I actually think it would be preferrable, provided they were straight with the voters about the plan. I think there are better choices than O’Connor but he would do in a pinch.

Comment by Pick of the litter Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 6:02 pm
[…] It doesn’t matter what you want for the US Senate appointment in Illinois. A lone madman has the power and it’s largely irrelevant what any of us think–in fact, pushing good candidates too hard might hurt them. The only thing we do know? It’s not going to be Jesse Jackson. […]

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