Jackson makes case for Senate nod
Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. says his record in Washington and history of reaching out to suburban leaders regarding a third airport make him best suited to fill the U.S. Senate term left behind by president-elect Barack Obama.
Jackson said Friday he's prepared to seek re-election in 2010, shares Obama's vision for the country and cited recent polling that suggests he'd fare well statewide.
"So the bottom line is I believe I'm the best, ideal and most qualified candidate," Jackson said during a nearly hourlong talk with the Daily Herald's editorial board.
Exactly who becomes the next U.S. senator from Illinois rests solely in the hands of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He has made few public comments about the post but has said he hopes to deliver a political Christmas present soon and that a decision is likely before the end of the year.
While Jackson has been unofficially campaigning for weeks, there are several others seeking the appointment. On Friday, outgoing Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a Chicago Democrat, told WBBM radio he wants the post.
"Yes, I am interested, but I'm not out there promoting it," Jones said. "I'm letting my record stand for itself as it relates to education, health care ... issues I've worked on."
Jones has been a key ally of Blagojevich, but several political leaders, most notably U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, have urged Blagojevich not to use the appointment as a final feather for someone's political cap. At age 73 and after three decades in state government, it's questionable Jones would seek re-election.
Jackson said Obama himself has talked about it taking years to see his agenda through and the replacement senator shouldn't just be a political placeholder.
Other potential replacements include Chicago Congressman Danny Davis, state veterans official Tammy Duckworth and Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Unlike some leaders in the black community, including Jones, Jackson said he does not believe the Senate pick must be a person of color.
He also downplayed any role his politically famous father would have in his decision making and seemed to rule out a future run for mayor of Chicago.
"While I am my father's son, but I am not his boy," Jackson said, noting his sharp criticism of comments his father made about Obama during the presidential campaign.
Asked if a Senate seat might be a springboard into some other future office, Jackson said he "can't imagine anything more significant than being a legislator."
Asked if that suggested he's not interested in being mayor of Chicago he replied: "That is to suggest that I am interested in being a legislator in the Congress of the United States."
Jackson also said he opposes efforts to have the president let former Republican Gov. George Ryan out of prison early.
The Daily Herald's circulation area is new territory for the Southside politician. But he said the issues of economic recovery, energy independence and improving education play well anywhere.
And he cited his past work with suburban GOP-icon Henry Hyde on securing commitments for a third airport, once envisioned as an alternative to expanding O'Hare International Airport.
Jackson made headlines this summer in Denver when, during a speech before the Illinois delegation he offered hugs to several political rivals and urged Illinois Democrats to mend their internal rifts. He even managed to get Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan to embrace.
"I think everybody across this state probably needs a big hug," Jackson said Friday.