IL-Sen: Jesse Jackson Jr. Angling To Replace Obama?

by: Chris Bowers

Sat Jun 28, 2008 at 16:46


A reader who saw my post yesterday on Jan Schakowsky angling to replace Obama in the Senate sends in the following email:

Several weeks ago, I was at the bar in the National Democratic Club and Jesse Jackson, Jr. sat down a few stools away. He was apparently on a phone call with a hands-free set.

The conversation turned to Obama's seat if he is elected and he mentioned that Schakowsky was angling for it but that he thought it was "too soon" (ironic since this would be replacing Obama's seat).

Jesse Jackson, Jr. was elected to Congress in Illinois four years ahead of her... So does that mean he wants the seat? I guarantee it.

This email confirms a couple of things. First, Jan Schakowsky clearly is trying very hard to be Obama's replacement should he become President, and apparently this isn't even much of a secret in Illinois political circles. Second, as great as she is, Schakowsky is not the only potentially excellent replacement for Obama. If you want a ahrd core, progressive backbencher, Jesse Jackson Jr. would fill that role nicely.

So, now we have two potentially excellent replacements, Schakowsky and Jackson. Also, there have been rumors about two not quite so great replacements, Rahm Emanuel and Tammy Duckworth. Should be some interesting maneuvering. Frankly, I really wish this was a public primary, because this is the sort of primary campaign where I would jump at the chance to get involved.  

Chris Bowers :: IL-Sen: Jesse Jackson Jr. Angling To Replace Obama?

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IL-Sen: Jesse Jackson Jr. Angling To Replace Obama? | 30 comments
Pennsylvania (0.00 / 0)
You live in Pennsylvania. What about finding a liberal replacement for Specter, or electing Bruce Slater?

I am not so keen on national bloggers getting involved in local primaries. Donna Edwards was an unusual case. Most of the time it is just another group of only-think-their-high-information-voters mucking things up.

How about this? (4.00 / 1)
If the national Democratic Party, lobbyists and PACs agree to stay out of local primaries, then maybe we can talk about national bloggers doing the same.  Because otherwise, we have the worse elements of the Democratic Party coordinating in using their influence and resources to shape the Party, and people powered politics being consistently and completely outgunned. If locals have an objection to what national bloggers are doing or saying about a particular candidate, then by all means they should take the opportunity to weigh in.  But what's the justification for the netroots treating national level offices as if they are only of local concern? It's not like we're talking about a city council race here--it's the U.S. Senate!  

Politics is the art of the possible, but that means you have to think about changing what is possible, not that you have to accept it in perpetuity.
[ Parent ]
Did you miss the point of his post? (0.00 / 0)
This isn't a primary at all. Blago gets to choose the replacement to fill out the term and THEN there's a primary.  
[ Parent ]
Not the whole term, is it? (0.00 / 0)
I assume that Illinois law provides for a special primary and special election to fill out the 2009-2010 portion of the term, just as it did for IL-14 when Hastert resigned mid-term.
[ Parent ]
see mimikatz (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
The Senate seat is up in 2010 in any event (0.00 / 0)
There is a primary at that point, but at least in most states the Gov appoints someone to fill out the term.  But that person has a 2-year headstart and runs as an incumbent.  On their record, for better or worse.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.
[ Parent ]
House seats are filled in special elections, not Senate. (0.00 / 0)
ASt least not in most states.  Mississippi may have been some sort of exception, but Barbour managed to get the same end result--election this year for Lott's appointed replacement.  

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.
[ Parent ]
Chester Trent Lott's Senate Seat does not expire until 2012. (4.00 / 1)
Trent Lott resigned before the 2008 Elections. A special election occurs in November 2008. Who ever wins Mississippi faces a full first year term in November 2012.
We also have a special senate election in Wyoming due to the death of Republican Senator Craig Thomas who was re-elected in 2006. Thomas seat does not expire until 2012. We also had a special election in Missouri in 2002 when Deceased Democratic Candidate Mel Carnahan suprisingly defeated Republican John Aschcroft. Carnahan's wife Jean was appointed to fill that seat but lost in a special election in 2002 to Jim Talent who lost in 2006 to Claire McCaskill.
We had a special election in Georgia in 2000 when Republican incumbent Paul Coverdell died and Zell Miller was appointed to fill that seat. Miller won the special election in 2000 and decided to retire in 2004 and go off the deep end.  
[ Parent ]
10 ILCS 5/25-8 (0.00 / 0)
"When a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States Senator from this state, the Governor shall make temporary appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of representatives in Congress, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election, and the senator so elected shall take office as soon thereafter as he shall receive his certificate of election."

So, yeah: two-year head start.  Compare to US House races in IL, for which a special election is held "within 115 days".

[ Parent ]
In New Jersey (0.00 / 0)
when Senator Jon Corzine was elected Governor in 2005. He appointed Senator Bob Menendez who was elected in 2006 for a full Senate Term.  
[ Parent ]
Bruce Slater? (0.00 / 0)
Is he from PA? .. and don't worry .. we have already had "The Lizard"(that's Howie Klein's name for Schumer) get involved in PA primaries(see Bob Casey)
[ Parent ]
How about we elect Obama first? (0.00 / 0)


John McCain--He's not who you think he is.
[ Parent ]
I would be more interested in your argument if you provide (4.00 / 1)
something other than keep your nose out of it. Whats the matter with the choices mentioned? For the record, these people are going to be involved in national politics, not just local, so I would be curious about them as well as I live in NYC.
[ Parent ]
I would be more interested in your argument if you provide (0.00 / 0)
something other than keep your nose out of it. Whats the matter with the choices mentioned? For the record, these people are going to be involved in national politics, not just local, so I would be curious about them as well as I live in NYC.
[ Parent ]
Schakowsky, Jackson, etc. (4.00 / 1)
Living in Evanston, Schakowsky's home base, I can confirm that she is indeed running for the seat. The Democratic Party of Evanston has become Obama's Chicago-North headquarters and  have been manned by Schakowsky's staff, including her political director, for the past year. This goes way back--The Democratic Party of Evanston (largely because of Schakowsky) was the first local party to endorse Obama when he ran in the 2004 primary. In fact, Obama won about 80% of vote in Jan's district in that primary. Since Schakowsky is very close to both Obama and Governor Blagojevich (was the rep from the neighboring district), she has to be one of the favorites. Jackson and Gutierrez are also on the list. I've heard Gutierrez is also very friendly with the Governor, but I'm not sure about Jackson. If Blagojevich decided to appoint a 2-year placeholder, hence created the open primary that you would enjoy Chris, Secretary of State Jesse White or State Senate President Emil Jones would be logical selections. Of course, he could always select himself ~gag~.

Demockracy.com

Or the ultimate revenge (0.00 / 0)
Mike Madigan.
[ Parent ]
There must be a better choice (4.00 / 1)
than someone who said this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Bleeding Heartland user American007 wrote a diary (0.00 / 0)
a month ago speculating about some possible replacements for Senator Obama:

http://www.bleedingheartland.c...

On a related note, I don't think it's likely that Obama will choose Hillary as a running-mate, but not long ago American007 wrote a diary about possible replacements for Senator Clinton in case she ends up on the ticket:

http://www.bleedingheartland.c...

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

No duh (0.00 / 0)
Jackson and Schakowsky have been openly campaigning for this seat pretty much since Obama kicked off his campaign.

Jesse and Jan both really want it and both would be fantastic picks.  

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

So would Blag be more likely to give it to Jackson (0.00 / 0)
since he's an enemy, or to Jan since she's a friend?  
[ Parent ]
Hard to know (0.00 / 0)
the man is pretty freaking insane.

I wouldn't rule out him giving it to himself.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

[ Parent ]
Maybe in a sick weird way that'd be the best option (4.00 / 1)
Pat Quinn would be a huge improvement over the Boy Retard. Then Dems could kick out Blago in the senate primary and elect Jan or Jesse. I don't know the runoff rules in Illinois. Are there any? Or is it just first past the post? Because that might be bad if two or more Chicago politcians went at it and then someone like Glenn Poshard was able to consolidate the downstate vote. But if Obama was able to navigate that maze in 2004 (and I was one of those that voted for his downstate-allied opponent) then hopefully Jan or Jesse would either.

But of course I'm getting WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ahead of myself now.  

[ Parent ]
We also forgot Rolland Burris. (0.00 / 0)
Former State Comptroller and State Attorney General. Unsuccessfully ran for US Senate and Governor losing in the Democratic Primary. Comes from Southern Illinios. Is Black. He would be a perfect successor.

Another successor to Obama (assuming he does not win the 2008 IL US House Race against Mark Kirk in IL-10) is Dan Seals.  

[ Parent ]
What is 'ol Rolland doing these days anyway? (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Massachusetts Solution? (4.00 / 1)
In 2004 when Sen. Kerry was our nominee, the state legislature passed a bill to make any suddenly open senate seat filled by special election (like House seats are).

Granted, the legislature was starting at the prospect of that asshole Mitt Romney appointing our next senator, but even with a Dem. governor it just makes sense.

Any word about a similar bill going through in Illinois?  

No. (4.00 / 1)

[ Parent ]
Let's hope Illinois picks a very progressive Democrat (0.00 / 0)
We need a lot more than the 15 we currently have in the senate.
What about appointing (0.00 / 0)
Mel Reynolds or Dan Rostenkowski to the Obama seat.  
As an IL voter familiar with both... (4.00 / 2)
I'd be much more pleased to see Schakowski than Jackson.  She's much sharper on policy issues, and much more thoughtful in front of cameras (with the "Clinton's tears are fake" fiasco of Jackson's only the most recent example).  
Jackson? Really? (0.00 / 0)
Doesn't he have quite a bit of seniority in the House at this point? Would he really be interested in giving that up to become a freshman Senator?
IL-Sen: Jesse Jackson Jr. Angling To Replace Obama? | 30 comments
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