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Illinois Tue Sep 21 2010
Jackson Jr. Caught In Yet Another Scandal
It was a terrible, horrible no good, very bad day for Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr:
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. directed a major political fund-raiser to offer former Gov. Rod Blagojevich millions of dollars in campaign cash in return for an appointment to the U.S. Senate, sources said the fund-raiser has told federal authorities.
The allegation by Oak Brook businessman Raghuveer Nayak counters public statements made as recently as last week by Jackson that he never authorized any deal to attempt to buy the Senate seat.
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (left) and Raghuveer Nayak pose in front of the White House on Oct. 8, 2008, the day Nayak says a critical meeting occurred.
Nayak also told authorities he paid for two airline trips for a "social acquaintance" of the Democratic congressman at Jackson's request, raising more potential ethical and political problems for Jackson.
The FBI interviewed that acquaintance -- a Washington, D.C., restaurant hostess named Giovana Huidobro -- about a year ago as part of its corruption probe of Blagojevich. Authorities were trying to determine whether Jackson had asked Nayak to offer Blagojevich campaign cash in exchange for the then-governor appointing Jackson to the seat once held by President Obama, according to sources with knowledge of the probe.
Huidobro, Jackson and Nayak all dined together on Oct. 8, 2008 -- the same day that Nayak has told authorities he had a key conversation with Jackson about the Senate appointment, sources said. The three then ended up at Ozio, the restaurant and club where Huidobro works and where Jackson has held fund-raisers.
Huidobro told authorities she knew nothing of Jackson's political dealings regarding the Senate seat, according to sources. She also said she flew to Chicago on several occasions at Jackson's request and that Jackson sometimes reimbursed her for her travels.
Nayak told the FBI that he paid for two airline trips for Huidobro from Washington to Chicago in 2008.
A spokesman for Jackson declined to comment on Monday.
Reached Tuesday on his cell phone, Jackson said: "I have nothing to say. Call my office. Have a good day."
I hate to bring it up because the above is really a story in itself but this really does do even more damage to Jackson's already less than perfect mayoral prospects. It also leaves a gaping hole in the selection of black candidates for mayor. Contrary to popular belief, I don't think Carol Moseley Braun has much of a chance and State Senator James Meeks isn't exactly a friend of gay Chicagoans. That may mean that blacks and those who would vote for a black candidate will have to choose between Sheriff Dart and Rahm.
IrishPirate / September 22, 2010 5:10 AM
J Cubed is done. Ain't getting elected to higher office.
Even before this his chances of being mayor weren't good.
None of the currently announced or semi announced black candidates have a realistic shot at winning.
Too much baggage and too identifiable as "black candidates".
If a serious black candidate emerges it will have to be someone like Kwame Raoul or Terry Peterson. Someone who has cross racial appeal.
The changing demographics of the city make that an absolute necessity. Chicago has lost at least 150,000 black residents to the burbs and beyond in the last decade. That doesn't bode well for a candidate who can only market themselves as "the black candidate".
I also don't think Rahmbo has much of a chance unless he can face a clearly weak candidate in the runoff. Someone like a Senator Reverend Meeks comes to mind.
My current guess, subject to change at a moment's notice or based on my alcohol intake, is that it will be Dart Versus Rahmbo.
Expect a vicious campaign from Rahmbo and a decisive win for Dart.
I just don't see a big constituency out there for 9 fingered profane maniacs.
Perhaps I'm wrong.