CONGRESSMAN JESSE JACKSON, JR. MAY BE CANDIDATE #5, BUT HE AIN'T STUPID!

Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. has confirmed that he is "Senate Candidate #5" - the Congressman whom Gov. Blagojevich was considering to appoint as Barack Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate under the pay-to-play belief the Governor would get at least $1 million from Jackson in campaign contributions for the spot.

We Learn from Our Parents' Mistakes

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and his son, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.As the son of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. learned the game of politics at a very early age. Scandal, rumors, negative press, and even books (Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson) have surrounded Rev. Jackson (and his entire family) for years.

There is the old adage, "Like father like son." But in this case, (if you do believe the rumors and scandals of Rev. Jackson to be true), Jesse Jr. is hardly like his father.

Jesse Jr. has watched his father's triumphs and tragedies. He has received his father's advice and he has objected to his father's actions. Remember when Rev. Jackson wrote a column in the Sun-Times accusing Obama of having ''virtually ignored the plight of African Americans in this country.'?  This caused a huge frenzy, and immediately Jesse Jr. repudiated his father in a Letter to the Editor.

That's not to say that Jesse Jr. doesn't love his father.  It just seems that Jesse Jr. has watched enough to know that he must keep his distance if he wants to achieve his own political goals.  (If you do a Google image search, you will find but a handful of pictures of the two together out of the hundreds of them individually.)

Jesse Jr. has had the advantage (not disadvantage) of watching his father's mistakes and successes.  He reached the U.S. House through his own hard work and determination, but also with a knowledge of what NOT to do, given his father's journey.  Jesse knows better than to walk into a mine field.

Congressman Jackson Knew What Was Up

Everyone knew that Gov. Blagojevich was selling the seat.  And even if everyone didn't know, Jesse Jr. surely knew.  It was obvious.  All of the candidates had to have known.  Blagojevich didn't appoint someone immediately; instead, he was waiting for the final bidder, on the final day, before making the appointment.

Now, combine Jesse Jr.'s finely tuned understanding of politics, as mentioned above, and Jesse Jr.'s (alleged) knowledge the seat was for sale.  (Don't forget to add to the mix a little bit of knowledge that the Feds have been investigating Blagojevich for years.) There is NO WAY Jesse Jr. (or his advisors) walked into our Governor's office to negotiate any kind of pay-to-play deal with the Governor. 

Jesse Jr. has huge political aspirations and he has publicly shared his desire for the Senate appointment.  He also knows Gov. Blagojevich is pretty much hated by all politicians and lobbyists.  He knows there is tension between his father and the Governor.  (It was Rev. Jackson who brought Gov. Blagojevich with him to negotiate the release of 3 American soliders from Yugoslavia in 1999.)  The relationship between the two has since become strained.

I seriously doubt Jesse Jr., either directly or indirectly through his lieutenants, would attempt to pay Gov. Blagojevich for the seat.  It doesn't make sense.  It would be too obvious. Obama, Jackson, BlagojevichInstead, my speculation is that Jesse Jr. spoke to the Governor about paying for the seat (per the Gov.'s demands) and he immediately disclosed this information to the Feds.  Jr.'s meeting came one day before Gov. Blagojevich was arrested.  Jesse Jr. was not arrested with him in a conspiracy-type charge.  I think Jesse Jr. provided the clincher for the Feds to move in and make the arrest. 

I'm just speculating; however, I do know Rev. Jackson and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. well enough to say with 99% certainty that there is no way Jesse Jr. got his hands dirty in Gov. Blagojevich's mess. NO WAY. Instead, I think it may be Congressman Jackson who we should thank for putting an end to this rigamarole by going to the Feds.

www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com

Comments

[P.S. Ruckman, Jr.]

I think Jackson's lawyer placed a plausible scenario on the table. A political power broker type may have asked about the seat while claiming to represent Jackson, or mentioning Jackson's name as a possible candidate. That person (the broker wanna be) then goes back (or planned to go back) to Jackson to annouince, "Hey I think I can swing it for $." So, someone may very well have pretended to be an agent, or have the status of an agent, on Jackon's behalf. The point being it was all on their own initiative.

[Tamara Holder]

www.pardonpower.com