Jackson: I did not 'promise anything' to governor

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said Wednesday he did not offer money or anything else improper to Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for appointment to a vacant U.S. Senate seat.

"I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics, and have no involvement whatsoever in any wrongdoing," Jackson said during a news conference in Washington, D.C. "I did not initiate or authorize anyone at any time to promise anything to Gov. Blagojevich on my behalf."

Jackson spoke to reporters after several news outlets reported that he is the "Candidate No. 5" referred to in an FBI affidavit that's part of the federal case against Blagojevich.

Jackson did not specifically confirm that he is Candidate No. 5, but his lawyer, James Montgomery, did confirm it during an earlier news conference in Chicago. Montgomery also stressed that his client had done nothing improper.

"The information contained in the affidavit does not in any way make Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. complicit in any pay-to-play activity," Montgomery said. "(Jackson) is guilty of no wrongdoing."

According to the affidavit, Blagojevich said he was approached by someone claiming to be an associate of Candidate No. 5 who offered as much as $1 million if the candidate were appointed to the Senate seat recently vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Jackson said that he personally met with the governor on Monday to discuss his interest in the Senate seat.

Jackson said it was the first time he'd spoken to Blagojevich in four years, and that he offered the governor nothing other than his credentials.

"I mistakenly thought that I was being considered because I'd earned it," Jackson said.

Jackson said that he planned to meet with federal authorities as soon as possible to discuss what he knows about the Senate selection process. Montgomery said the meeting could take place Friday or Monday.

Both Jackson and Montgomery said that the U.S. attorney's office specifically told them that Jackson is not a target in this investigation.

Jackson, son of the famed civil rights leader, reasserted his interest in the Senate seat on Wednesday. He called for Blagojevich to resign so that the appointment would not be "tainted."

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on federal corruption and conspiracy charges, the most celebrated of which is the allegation that he essentially tried to auction off the vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Blagojevich is free on bond. He hasn't commented directly on the charges, but his attorney has said the governor is innocent.

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