Obama Move Heats Up Race to Fill His Senate Seat

[babylonsister]

Obama Move Heats Up Race to Fill His Senate Seat
posted by John Nichols on 11/13/2008 @ 5:12pm


Barack Obama is about to create one of the most attractive vacancies in American politics.

And two of U.S. House's leading progressive members would like to fill it.

The president-elect has announced that he will quit Sunday as Illinois' junior senator, creating an opening for the seat he has held for a little less than four years. Though he says that serving in the Senate was "one of the highest honors and privileges" of his life, Obama explained in a written statement that he's ready to begin "the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation's next president."

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a controversial Democrat whose own approval ratings are a good deal lower than Obama's, can appoint any Illinoisan who is 30 years old to replace the state's exiting senator. Blagojevich's pick will serve the remainder of Obama's term -- a little over two years -- but must face the voters of Illinois in 2010 if he or she wants a full six-year term.

Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., the son of the veteran civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, is seen by some as a frontrunner in the contest. A congressman for more than a decade, he was an early and energetic backer of Obama's presidential run and delivered an impressive speech on the senator's behalf at last summer's Democratic National Convention in Denver. At 43, he would be the youngest member of the Senate if appointed, yet after 13 years in the House he would come to the upper chamber with more legislative experience than did his predecessor.

Jackson's been a stalwart progressive since his election to the House, as is another top contender for the seat, Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Both have been consistent critics of the war in Iraq, defenders of civil liberties and proponents of presidential accountability.

Even after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared impeachment was "off the table," both Jackson and Schakowsky continued to utter the "i" word and Schakowsky was an early proponent of proposals to impeach Vice President Dick Cheney.

more...

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/383515/obama_move_heats_up_race_to_fill_his_senate_seat?rel=hpbox

[BrklynLiberal]

1. and Jackson would be only the 4th black person with a seat in the Senate

[riderinthestorm]

2. Blagojevich and Jackson don't like each other. at. all.

And I don't see Obama pressuring Blago about Jesse Jr. Blago gets the final say but knowing Gov. Blago, he will do what suits him politically. He'll garner a presidential favor for someday in the future by putting in whomever Obama wants but I don't see it as Jesse Jackson Jr. Obama isn't really beholden to the "old guard" black establishment (for whom Jesse Jr would really be a coup). And Obama would tend to veer away from Jesse Jr. precisely because it would tamp down cronyism charges imho.

Besides, I'm not sure Jesse Jackson Jr. could win the Senate seat in 2 years (when it comes back up for election). He's got the name recognition BUT he also owns the antipathy many feel for his father. Amongst both black and white voters, Jackson bears the dual cross of his father's sins.

Jackson Sr. is no friend of Obama.

[Warren DeMontague]

3. Best name I've heard floated so far is Tammy Duckworth. nt

[AtomicKitten]

4. Rumor has it Tammy Duckworth is being considered as well.

[PBS Poll-435]

5. It should be Duckworth, IMHO. nt

[nevergiveup]

6. absolutely!

My money is on Duckworth. She would be a wonderful senator.