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* Perhaps the most interesting, and new, revelations in a NY Magazine piece about Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr…
Jesse Jr. had in fact been struggling for some time. He had long suffered occasional but violent mood swings—laughing one moment, sobbing the next—so much so that nearly a decade ago members of his staff half-jokingly diagnosed their boss as bipolar. His condition worsened dramatically after the disappointment of not getting the Senate seat and the stress of the subsequent investigation and revelation of his adultery. The congressman who prided himself on never missing a vote became an absentee legislator. “He did absolutely nothing,” says former Illinois congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, who served in the House with Jackson in 2009 and 2010.
Earlier this year, however, Jackson was reenergized. Halvorson, who’d lost her reelection bid in 2010, ran against Jackson in the Democratic primary for his redrawn district—the stiffest electoral test he had faced since 1995. Jackson rose to the challenge, pouring himself into the campaign and, in March, he thumped Halvorson by taking more than 70 percent of the vote.
But soon after his victory, he plunged into a deep funk. This may have been brought about by the fact that the FBI had opened an investigation into whether he’d used campaign money to decorate his home. But it seems just as likely that Jackson, having worked so hard to hold onto his seat, now had to confront the crushing reality that all of his effort had merely resulted in his remaining in the same place.
According to a friend, Jackson began “drinking heavily, self-medicating, and going days without sleep. He was out of control. He was on a path that was self-destructive. Something had to change.” Indeed, although Sandi portrayed her husband’s hospitalization that night in June as a spur-of-the-moment decision, others close to Jackson suspect it was the result of a planned intervention—something the congressman’s friends and family had been discussing for weeks.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 9:35 am
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I read it the other day and if you want their thesis for all of his issues in one word it’s Reverend. I’m not sure how that explains the adultery, the reports of lobbyist meetings at bars a few weeks ago, and paying his wife $400,000 for campaign work in a non competitive district over a decade. But it’s one persons take, with a lot of reporting to back it up.
Comment by shore Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 10:01 am
Oswego Wiley, waiting for some of your insightful snark!
Comment by Downstater Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 10:23 am
Seems like the Jackson family is more concerned with Jr’s seat than his health going forward, otherwise why the big, and continued, cover-up?
Very sad.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 10:34 am
NY Magazine? To bad Chicago doesn’t have any media with a spine or investigative skills
Comment by Hank Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 10:37 am
Like they taught us in Sunday school, there but for the grace of God go I.
He’ll have to face the federales, but that’s a small issue compared to beating his inner demons.
Here’s hoping that he, and all those fighting that never-ending battle, can find some peace.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 10:57 am
They took care of his job, that is what is really important.
Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 11:18 am
Don’t want to sound like a cynic but nobody is forcing him to retain his House seat. He is (and was) free to run for any office that he chooses. To me this reeks of an attempt to dodge the media and bury his head in the sand to avoid facing the music.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 11:49 am
Very good story. Nothing is as simple as it seems. People, and that includes elected officials, are not cardboard cut-outs whose lives, problems or actions can be explained in soundbytes. The media, and constituents, seem to expect airbrushed models instead of very real, very good people, usually doing their best.
It’s not good for any of us or the system to forget to have compassion for people doing a job which is very difficult and unforgiving.
Comment by state worker Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 11:49 am
So, if he wins reelection, will he bow out in time? Would I be SHOCKED if his wife was appointed to fill the seat?
Comment by Concerned Voter Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 11:56 am
Vacancies in the US House of Representatives aren’t filled by appointment.
There would have to be a special election.
It’s likely someone in the Jackson family would run.
Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 12:04 pm
That was a terrific article- from New York, no less. Where is the reporting by Chicago media? Are they afraid of the guy? It seems that family and friends were willing to cooperate with the NY Mag reporter.
Should he stay in Congress? He has the right to time off, just as Mark Kirk does. His district will re-elect him today and after that only he and his family can say what will happen in the next two years.
There are people with bipolar disorder in my family, so I know that it is a very difficult condition to manage. Lots of people self-medicate with alcohol which is not effective in any real way. I wish Mr. Jackson the best in his recovery.
Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 12:16 pm
Hank, chicago magazine exists and they ran a story on jesse jackson jr last month. When you need your politics fix or if you’re a journalism nerd you can compare this with that and what it says about the differences between political coverage in NY and Chicago. Chicago Magazine only really hits hard when it comes to carol rosenthal going after Senator Kirk’s career and his ex wife.
http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/October-2012/Jesse-Jackson-Jrs-Dark-Days/
Comment by shore Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 12:26 pm
Just read the NY Mag piece.
It’s a devastating takedown of Reverend Jackson and is not particularly sympathetic to the Jackson family as a whole.
I never particularly liked JJJ, but while I don’t “feel his pain” I do feel for him.
Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 12:32 pm
Not me, Irish. The Jackson’s never show anyone any quarter, so why should they expect any. If JJJ can’t or won’t do the job he was elected to do, he needs to go! The family will still have enough whack to get his cheated on wife elected and keep the seat in the family!
Comment by Steamer Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 1:20 pm
Steamer,
from the story it sounds like younger brother Jackson wants the seat.
It will prove interesting as I suspect JJJ will resign soon.
Comment by IrishPirate Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 1:52 pm
Another example of why famous people with huge egos should *not* burden their children with the Jr designation.
Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 3:32 pm
Boy, you think someone in Chicago would have noticed all of this going on and said something at some point over the last decade….
Blago Syndrome strikes again!
Comment by Mikey D Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 4:30 pm
When you play in the big leagues it is a tough road to follow and cut throat. The pressure is endless and there a lots of bodies on the path. I feel sorry for the guy, bipolar is no fun trip especially when there is a legacy expectation and comparison.
Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 5:26 pm
A tragic tale.
Screw the politics, I just hope the man gets well.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Nov 6, 12 @ 5:52 pm