Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. warns Burris controversy becoming 'racialized'

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told CNN Tuesday that Roland Burris's "credentials are in order. There is a strong constitutional and legal case for his seating."

"The longer this process takes the more racialized this seat becomes and the more difficult it becomes for Democrats to hold it in 2010," said Jackson, who said he has not spoken to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid or senior Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin about the seating of Burris.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/06/jackson-jr-warns-burris-controversy-becoming-racialized/

[no limit]

1. Can these people please stop invoking race in to this?

it's a fucking disgrace.

[Captain Hilts]

3. This isn't about race, just as the Panetta appt. isn't about DiFeinstein. It's about process, not

people.

[bunnies]

2. This makes JJJ look like an idiot.

Yes, Jesse. Its because he's black. You figured it out. Genius.

:sarcasm:

[question everything]

4. But.. but... this is not about race. So says DUers

And DUers are honorable men (and women),

:sarcasm:

[Jennicut]

5. This made me laugh. This is not about race.

We just elected a "black man" for president. This is about Blago potentially being forced out a governor and/or his being corrupt while making this appt. This appt is tainted. No way would I say let his guy be seated.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. The problem is the perception

particularly since the media reported about a supposed taped conversation that Reid purportedly had with Blago about who "not" to appoint (3 potential black candidates) before Blago was even arrested.... and then Reid suddenly refuses Burris, a 4th potential black candidate. And for all of this to happen when Blago has not been indicted or impeached yet, it ("perception") looks bad.

And supposedly Reid's recommendations included Tammy (who has never won a statewide election and IMHO, really should be appointed somewhere in Obama's administration) and Lisa Madigan (current IL Attorney General, whose father is the speaker of the IL state house - more politics).

So when comparing 2 potentials who have BOTH won statewide office as IL Attorney General - Burris and Madigan, Reid now rejects the more experienced black candidate and had earlier appeared to prefer the lesser-experienced, politically-connected white candidate (although that preference happened before the mess exploded with Blago). And the 3 other potentials that Reid argued against ARE qualified and have legislative experience, but they were still rejected out of hand.

Of course the timing of all this is lost on those with the perception (i.e., anyone coming from Blago now would be rejected at this point including Madigan supposedly) - but the perception remains as to "original intent" and it is THAT (racialized) perception that IS starting to run in the community, and sadly it's all part of the doo doo in the ugly world of politics.

[question everything]

9. That's pretty much it

It does not matter that all of us say it is not a race issue, or that Obama did not run as a black candidate. The images are there for many to draw their own conclusion.

And Reid has no business telling the states who should represent them. This is true for both Illinois and New York.

[dos pelos]

12. Here is the image Senator Reid brings to mind.....

Reminds me of a former Democratic governor hard at work..



In the tradition of Lester Maddox.

[polmaven]

11. Did you miss the part

where Senator Reid called those allegations lies? He contends the conversation did not take place as Blagojevich is claiming.

But I guess that doesn't fit with being able to blame Reid for all of the country's troubles over the last decade or more. Let's believe Blagojevich on this one. It makes it a whole lot easier to trash Reid.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. It's not what I personally believe

It's what the "perception" is that is building among a certain demographic... And this plays out via a media constantly sniffing for red meat and embracing the "if it bleeds, it leads" credos. Thus they will gladly help to perpetuate it.

If Fitz produces (or someone leaks) a transcript of the alleged conversations and it is shown that the conversations DID take place regarding "recommendations" (since Reid claimed to Gregory that he didn't remember the "specifics" of the conversations although he indicated that he believes such never came up "in general"), then all that would do is reinforce the negative "perception" (in the "now" and for anything in the future, regardless of whether it is true or not).

It's all part of the political jockeying and chess game going on right now and who will be able to claim the "checkmate" on this maneuver of playing a race card.... and Reid is losing this one. Legally and "morally", it looks bad in this "new era" of "transparency" and "post-partisanship".

[shaniqua6392]

7. Ummm....Isn't Burris replacing Obama????

And, last time I looked, Obama is black. So to say that it is racially motivated is bull crap. Good thing JJ Jr. did not get that seat. He can not see the forest through the trees.

[Kelvin Mace]

8. It wasn't until you decided to make it

a racial issue.

[madrchsod]

10. jessie it`s not about race

it is about our scum bag governor who tried to sell a senate seat. our party is going to impeach him and convict him.

is jessie white playing the race card by refusing to certify burris?

if pat quinn would have appointed him everyone would have accepted the pick.

[jzodda]

13. This whole spectacle is digusting

It's bad enough without people playing the race card, but add that into it? Disgusting....

Hold a special election, get the slimy hands of Blago off of this.

[I814U]

14. A well-baited trap...

...laid by Blago. I think this is playing out just as he planned. He wants the dems to support him in his upcoming trials, even if he has to embarrass them to get it. What if he's acquitted or the charges are dropped and they refused his appontment? There will be hell to pay.

Blago made it about race to dare the dems to not support him. But the dems aren't refusing Burris over race.

But that doens't stop Fox news and Limbaugh and Hannity from lying and saying it is.

Unfortunately, all of OUR talking about the race factor MAKES it a race factor...even though it isn't. It's like if you keep telling yourself not to think about dogs all you can think about is dogs.

[DeepModem Mom]

17. I agree -- Blago purposely created this mess. Welcome to DU, I814U!

[I814U]

20. Thank-you!

I've actually been a reader of DU for some time now but the election was such an emotional high it made me want to finally reach out and be heard. I love you people...even the cantankerous ones!

[DeepModem Mom]

21. LOL!

Maybe "cantankerous" should be DU's middle name: Democratic Cantankerous Underground, DCU.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

15. race isn't an issue, Burris is an asshole

We stand a good chance of losing the seat even if he is seated.

[darkism]

18. Jesse, YOU and your pal Bobby Rush made this about race!

My state's Democratic machine really needs to do some serious house cleaning of its crooks and race baiters.

[RCinBrooklyn]

19. J.J. Jr. who is at the center of it is now trying to steer it. What a fucking joke.