What Would Rod Do?
As we all know, Sen. Barack Obama is under fire for being, among other things, “presumptuous.” (Gasp!)
Leaving aside the possibility that “presumptuous” could be a code word for “uppity,” can anyone show me a presidential candidate who does not exhibit that quality? It’s presumptuous just to run for the presidency.
In any event, I would like to get even more presumptuous and presume for a moment that Obama actually succeeds in winning the presidency, despite the burden of his presumed presumptuousness.
Let us consider the consequences of this presumed victory:
There would be a vacancy in Illinois’ U.S. Senate delegation—a vacancy to be filled by the will or whim of just one man, the governor of Illinois.
Let us presume that the Feds have not caught up with Rod Blagojevich by next January, when Obama takes his oath of office. By law Blago will appoint someone to serve out the final two years of Obama’s term, which would give that appointee a big leg up in the race for the next full senate term.
The governor would like to use the occasion to enhance his own position as well as the career of another politician.
Some observers suggest he actually has enough chutzpah to name himself!
This I doubt. A governor of a major state has far more fundraising potential from lobbyists, lawyers, businesses, financial firms and whatever than
a mere senator.
Why would Blago take the pay cut? He likely will need millions more for his defense fund.
Would he appoint Attorney General Lisa Madigan, his strongest potential challenger, just to get her out of play? Fat chance. Or that she would accept.
One name you hear bandied about is Tammy Duckworth, the double-amputee Iraq vet who lost a close race for congress in 2006 and later was appointed head of the state Department of Veterans Affairs.
Such an appointment would appropriate and uncontroversial. But it would do little to enhance Blago’s re-election potential if he is still in office in 2010. It might help a bit with women and veterans, but in a diffuse, uncertain way.
Another prospect with an upraised hand, shouting, “Choose me!” is Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, the Chicago-Evanston lakefront progressive who has carved out an admirable niche for herself in the House. Her appointment would be highly popular in the progressive constituency—and clear the way for her buddy State Rep. Julie Hamos to take over the congressional seat.
Problem is, her constituency tends to be reform minded and unlikely to support Blagojevich’s re-election bid to return the favor. Those folk lean more toward Madigan to replace the guv.
So Blago must look elsewhere: let us say to the south end of Chicago.
First off, the black communities have long been his strongest, most loyal constituency. He courts that base well. It may be as disgusted as others with his antics, but has a tendency to be more forgiving.
The black vote in Illinois represents 28-30 percent of the Democratic primary—almost enough to win in a strongly divided field, assuming no black candidate of substance enters the field.
The last two Democrats to hold the senate seat were African American—Obama and Carol Moseley Braun. Some folks almost consider it a “black seat,” though that, too, is presumptuous.
After Obama, the rising star in black politics—with a degree of crossover appeal—is another congressman named Jesse Jackson Jr., who made his bones with many white voters by slapping down his dad a couple of times for bad-mouthing Obama.
This is an appointment that would play well in many circles and show high potential for keeping much of the black base intact for the guv’s re-election. Jackson could also be influential in preventing State Sen. Joseph Meeks from jumping into race as a spoiler.
Senator Jackson, I presume?
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Don Rose is a veteran progressive strategist and regular political columnist for The Chicago Daily Observer.
Emil Jones is retiring from the Illinois Senate, but his name is being promoted to replace Obama in the US Senate. Jones is partially attractive as he looks to be a short term replacement, unlikely to seek re-election.
Coult the most famous sewer employee since Art Carney get away with another power grab?
I oppose Emil Jones son being allowed to fill his father’s vacancy too. Haven’t we learned from the Stroger mess?
Although I would love to see Jackson (the son) I doubt it would happen since he often disagree’s with Blago. If you recall it was Jackson who was the only one who was less than thrilled with the insertion of nepotism regarding Stroger.
WOW you guys still don’t get it do you. Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing and is corrupt as the NAACP. I have seen nothing of the NAACP helping in my neighborhood only making it harder due to taking money from the poor and giving to the wealthy. Wake up America and yes – unite as one not “black politics” lets not categorize the black community. Thank you
You have to remember if Obama wins, he’ll probably pick Rep. Jackson and a few others to be in his cabinet, so the pickings for his replacement might be few, maybe Rep. Rahm Emmanuel, Jesse White, someone on that level, then those people need to be replaced.
Wow! I hadn’t thought of Obama’s replacement, since I live in New Jersey. If you think Illinois politicians are wacky, try us! This is a “you rub my back, I’ll rub yours state” and they stick together! I call it “politicians disease”, not to be mistaken for “hoof and mouth disease”! If I can, I’ll vote for Obama TWICE!
Does anybody think that Rev. Meeks will do it? That’s a thought.
I strongly urge the governor to select an African American becasue there are none in the United States Senate, once Barack win, which he will. We deserve at least one seat out of the 50, and Illinois should be proud to give that seat to one of its great men or women. It should be given to an African American and if not, tell the governor not to run agin.
I would hope whomever he appoints will get voted out in 2 years as well as Blago, Madigan, and the whole lot that care more for the lobbyists & themselves than the people of this state.
I’ve had it with their prima donna crap!!!!!
By the way the state senator name is James Meeks. I actually think the seat is a black seat since the constituency is mostly African-American. If Rod pick someother race candidate he will snub the african-american community then he won’t have any friends/church members.
Just read the book…”The Case against Barry Obama” snd you will know his replacement.
First, the appointment of Emil Jones’s son appears to be more in the tradition of the Stroger debacle. In 2008, this young man doesn’t even have a college degree which is abominable and should not be, especially since he was expected to assume the political leadership mantle from his father. Shame on him. The most viable candidate is Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.
I think Congressman Jackson would be an excellent appointment for the senate seat, assuming that Barack Obama wins the presidency. I believe that he possesses the type of level headed common sense intellect that is unfortunately all too rare in politics today.
I agree that an African-American should be appointed to replace Barack. Congressman Danny K. Davis would be an excellent chose. He represents one of the most ethnically diverse congressional districts in the state, as well as the country. I don’t think anyone could have any problem with that appointment, since it makes sense to ensure that there is a least one African-American in the U.S. Senate.
I would hope that Congressman Jackson would be the choice when Obama becomes president. He would provide the intelligence, integrity and will of his constituence that is needed. I am not focused on the ethnicity, I am focusing on the character and ability of the individual. It is scary the Blog. would be the individual making the choice.
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Everybody Wishes Obama Would Just Go Away For A While
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