Jesse Jackson Jr: I'm Ready For Obama's Senate Seat

CNBC's Donny Deutsch last night asked Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois if he'd be interested in an appointment to the opening seat of Sen. Barack Obama, who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

"I'd be honored, I'd be humbled and yes, I would,'' Jackson replied on the cable network's The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch. "But it is the decision of the governor of the state of Illinois, he'll have to make that judgment.

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Comments

[Majus]

I have hopes that President-Elect Obama will find a suitable place for Jesse Jr. in his administration, but if that is not to be, then Jesse Jr. replacing Sen. Obama in the Senate would be the next choice.

From what I see of this earnest young man, he's nothing at all like his father, a man whom I have little or no respect for.

[foreffectivegovernment]

Jesse Jackson, Jr. has earned a position in the Obama Administration. He was the strong-arm who intimidated the members of the Democratic Black Caucus into supporting Obama, "the First African-American candidate of a major political party" instead of Hillary Clinton, "the most qualified Democratic candidate in the primary".
Oh Well, with the Obama Cabinet staffed with ex-Clinton Administration officials and DLC members, maybe I am getting what I wanted in the first place, a Bill Clinton third-term. Too bad Bill and Hillary Clinton are having to run the government through their surrogates instead of in person so they could get the credit first hand. Like Obama said originally, you have been "bamboozled".

[tbone99]

Opportunist.

[AlieNation]

I approve this message.

OBAMA '08

[mjb5406]

Wouldn't it be nice if, for a change, they picked someone based on qualifications rather than race? Yes, there would be nothing wrong for an African-American to replace Obama but so many of the people lining up for the job feel that they are simply "entitled" to it. Jesse Jackson Jr. does have great qualifications; he seems to be genuinely for the people. Emil Jones, Jr. seems to be for himself and for the political favors he can garner. Bad choice.

Illinois Democratic politics isn't as honest as the national ticket was (even though McCain tried to tie Obama to the Chicago Machine). It's an unfortunate fact of life that the Democrats are the predominant party here and they, usually without fail, get what they want... for example, Todd Stroger, Democratic Cook County Board President, agreed to set up a so-called "independent" board to run the County's health care system (which, by the way, serves mainly the city of Chicago and largely ignores the suburbs) in exchange for a 1% increase in the county sales tax. Now, that "independent" board has asked for $83 million more in next year's budget. Some independence! Increase expenditures rather than tightening the belt.

Whew... sorry I diverted to other issues, but people from out-of-state should be aware that Illinois Democrats seem to have an agenda totally separate from the national party.

[serindipity803]

Jesse Jackson will be a fine replacement for Obama in the senate

[SeanGardner]

My pick to fill Obama's seat would be Tammy Duckworth. In addition to being an Asian-American (and Asian-Americans came up BIG for Obama), she is also a veteran. And the military crowd is certainly a constituency I'm sure Obama and the Democrats want to hold on to. Duckworth could help them do that, and would be a powerful voice for women, and racial minorities.

As an African-American who has witnessed Jesse Jackson Jr.'s meteoric rise, it would be good to see him get it. I wouldn't be disappointed if he did. But, with our electorate experiencing serious demographic shifts and our country fighting two wars, the choice that makes the most sense is Tammy Duckworth.

[HerbTee]

Well, African Americans came out BIGGER for Obama and in far greater numbers than the Asian demographic. Also, Obama is the only African American senator in the entire country while there has been an Asian American Senator for decades...Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii It can be said that either an African American OR an Asian American could fill Obama's Senate seat. But considering the circumstances, the Chicago district and the demographics of support Obama had with African Americans, it is my desire that a QUALIFIED African American should be strongly considered as a replacement Senator for Obama's seat.

Major Tammy Duckworth, as much as I truly admire her as a wounded warrior and a hero because I am an Army retiree too, does not have the political experiences that Jesse Jackson, Jr. has. Jesse has been a Congressman for 13 years while Tammy lost her bid for Congress years ago and has not served as an elected official as yet.

I strongly feel that Major Duckworth should be Director of the VA in the Obama Administration.

[SeanGardner]

Do you think Jackson Jr.,in particular, can win statewide? Because that would of course be a primary factor in naming someone?

[fistbump]

Uh, maybe it should be person best suited for the office, not a notch on some color wheel.

[aOsO]

Give him the seat!

[Agnim]

Wrong answer, Jesse!
The Senate seat IS NOT Donny's to offer?

[Whinger]

Join the que junior, join the que!

[naschkatze]

Not being in Illinois, I don't know much about Jackson Jr. I was very impressed with his convention speech and his campaigning for Obama. I think it would be a good idea to have another AA senator to replace Obama, and Jackson Jr's replacement in the House would remain in the Black Caucus too mostly likely.

[delta7777]

Jesse Jr would be a most excellent choice for senate.....He is extremely intelligent and has a true interest in politics as forming the basis for the good of the people governed.

He has a balanced and thoughtful personality, exhibits an exceptional degree of personal integrity, and is fearless in expressing his opinion on ideas that he believes in.

Although still young, he has been exposed for all of his life to the major issues facing the United States, and exhibits an extraordinary degree of understanding of, and pragmatic common sense in dealing with these issues.

Combined with the boundless energy inherent in those of his age and the technical abilities characteristic of those growing up in the computer and internet age, Jesse Jr. is a stellar example of the type of person that we sorely need in our government to steer us through the current crisis and to guide us on a steady course into the future.

[westreal]

Excellent choice. He's politically savvy, works for "all" people and is the total 180 degrees of his father. The mindset of the two couldn't be farther apart.

[DeniseD]

I don't know much about Jesse Jr., but my first impression was that I don't like him at all. He seems totally obnoxious to me and acts like he has a huge chip on his shoulder. I guess I would have to see more of him to come to a final conclusion.

It would be nice to see another black man take Obama's seat, but, more importantly, it should be someone who doesn't seem quite so divisive.

[desertdweller]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree - as they say. But Junior is his own man and should be given a chance to prove himself.

[SeanGardner]

Your post has to be one of the most ridiculous I've seen on who should fill Obama's seat.

You start off your post by commenting "I don't know much about Jesse Jr. but my first impression was that I don't like him at all." Excuse me? Why not go to GOOGLE and look him up before writing anything? Even a simple search will give you all you need to know. I mean, how you even write that he "seems totally obnoxious to me and acts like he has a huge chip on his shoulder", and is "divisive". How can you write any of that when very clearly, you are operating on UBER ignorance about this man, and his record?

I don't care if you come to like him or not. But at the very least, know what he has fought for, what he believes in, and who he has partnered with in Congress. Whenever he writes something for HUFFPOST, you never clicked on his BIO?

His congressional district in Chicago is over 40% white. And he has whites, latinos, and asian-americans working for him in Washington DC and Chicago offices. Like Obama, he believes in a multicaultural, multi-ethnic approach to politics. And I like that.

Get to know him first because declaring him to be "divisive".

[HerbTee]

For those who mentioned Major Tammy Duckworth as a possible replacement Senator in Obama's slot, what about this? I think Major Duckworth would be an excellent choice for a Cabinet Member post in the Obama Administration as Director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA).

[fistbump]

She's not ready for a cabinet post. That's the point of putting her in the Senate.

Besides, Max Cleland is a much better choice for the VA. Or one of Obama's military supporters who have been unfairly ousted by Bush. Someone like General Shinseki.

[HerbTee]

How old are you and where have you been?? Max Cleland was already the Director of the VA under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 " 1981...long before he became a Georgia Senator. As far as Duckworth is concerned, I don't see your reasoning why she is not ready for a Cabinet post but is ready to be a US Senator. Besides, isn't Duckworth already appointed as the Illinois head of Veterans Affairs? A step up for her to be Director of the VA would be a major promotion, you think?