Rumors swirl over U.S. Rep. Jackson’s role in Senate race
Posted by Greg H. at 5/24/2010 11:32 AM CDT on Chicago Business
So, what should we make of a story in Monday’s Politico saying that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. may well sit out or even endorse Republican Mark Kirk in the race for the U.S. Senate?
The answer is about as clear as the Potomac amid a spring flood.
The story quotes Mr. Jackson, a Chicago Democrat, as saying that, while he likes Democratic nominee Alexi Giannoulias, “I have great respect for Mark Kirk and his service to the people of Illinois.”
Both men serve on the House Appropriations Committee, and a source who should know tells me the two men indeed have become buds.
Given that, it’s quite likely that Mr. Jackson won’t endorse anyone in the race, though formal backing for Congressman Kirk is a possibility, that source says.
A second source in the middle of this claims Mr. Jackson just is trying to squeeze Illinois’ senior U.S. senator, Richard Durbin, who badly wants to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
What might Mr. Jackson want from Mr. Durbin? Perhaps a little more help for his beloved Peotone airport.
But someone who should know laughs that off and says it’s more likely that Mr. Jackson just is trying to show a bit of bipartisan, good-government leg as the trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich nears.
Mr. Jackson could be savaged in that trial by testimony indicating that friends of his offered to raise mucho political bucks for Mr. Blagojevich if the then-guv would appoint Mr. Jackson to fill the remainder of Barack Obama’s Senate term.
Mr. Jackson has denied any impropriety. But the trial isn’t likely to do much to boost his public image.
Hah!
Saying the trial is not likely to boost his public image is an understatement and I doubt there’s any bipartisanship in Jackson.
Thanks.