Obama's Replacement: Chicago Defender Endorses Jackson Jr.

America will soon elect a new president. If that new president is Barack Obama, and we sincerely hope that it is, Illinois will need to quickly fill one of the most famous seats in the U.S. Senate.

If that's the case, the Chicago Defender strongly endorses Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. as Senator Obama's successor.

We believe that Congressman Jackson has proven to be the very best person to carry on Barack's legacy and to represent all Illinoisans in the Senate.

Not only that, Jesse Jr. would serve as a stalwart and loyal advocate in the U.S. Senate for the new administration, which could critically prove important in the tough years ahead.

Read the entire article here.

Comments

[SheriChardonnay]

i hate him and his daddy they are opportunist...He (jr) is no where near the intellect as Obama ...NO NO NO....I go for Rahm Immanuel or Forest Claypool....or Tammy Duckworth...not Jr.......

[easarsfield]

He'll never get elected senator, not in Illinois. White folks hear the name Jesse Jackson and think of his ridiculous father. Not saying that's fair, but that's the truth :/

[DuPageDem]

Well, Daley finagled his family a huge beer distributorship, so I guess that makes him qualified to pal around with McCain. But given Blago's performance, do we really want another Chicago machine flunkie in statewide office?

[GLN 60611]

Jesse Jackson Jr. may be able to represent Illinois' 2nd congressional district--- which includes the southeast suburbs of Chicago, part of the Chicago South Side and a small portion of the southeast side of Chicago--- but it is highly unlikely he could win votes across the entire state.

JJ2 is product of nepotism, frowned upon by most (except certain Chicagoans and the Chicago Defender, it seems). And while nepotism is alive and doing very well in Chicago at the moment, it is highly doubtful it will play well in down-state Illinois (where JJ1 & 2 are not liked).

As another commentor pointed out, JJ2 has not done anything particularly substantive to improve his district. Instead of JJ2 spending time and money on his pet project--- a third UNNECESSARY airport in Chicago--- JJ2 should have been spending resources on improving public transportation in the city and suburbs. And, more importantly, making inroads to end the bloody violence that consumes parts of the Illinois 2nd Congressional district.

[Kokosnapper]

Can we just win the Presidential race first! This is overwhelming.

Obama '08
VOTE EARLY!!!!!!!!

[OsamaBushLadin]

Jesse's a joke. The south side of Chicago and south surburbs are the armpits of the Chicagoland area and he hasn't done anything to change it. He's as useful as Gus Savage.

[DASChicago]

Jesse Jackson Jr. a true statesman and and would be a great representative for this state.
Also, a great partner to Senior Senator Dick Durbin!

Go Jesse Jr.!!!

[JeffinIllinois]

Tammy Duckworth...absolutely. War hero, woman. Yep, I can go for that. Jessie Jr. No way. He's not a Barack Obama by any stretch of the imagination. Gov. Rod is about ready to get indicted anyway. It may be up to the Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

[zigzag1]

Duckworth....that would be great.

[berryessence]

YES! I LIKE J3

OR TAMMY DUCKWORTH

It would be historic either way

Black Female who served in the military

Black Male, son of a civil rights leader

Either way it would be historic

[liberalloudandproud]

Congressman Jesse L Jackson Jr. really impressed me during the Democratic convention. His speech was definitely one of the highlights for me (along with John Kerry giving the speechy he should have given in 2004). I felt that he spoke with intellect, passion and conviction and served to bridge the gap between his father's generation and Senator Obama's. Other than that I do not know much about him but he sparked enough interest for me to go and find out what else he has accomplished and where he stands on the issues facing us today. You know there was this other senator who practically came out of nowhere and blew us all away at a convention......

[MConde]

He's cool. He's nothing like his father. I'm praying for the success of this country for the next 8 years if O is elected. Hopefully it will the best years America has ever had.

[robXdion]

Tammy Duckworth is better. Last thing we need is JJ Jr. with a bigger platform to shoot his mouth off and say the wrong thing.