Why did Sheila Jackson-Lee speak at Michael Jackson's funeral?

[EffieBlack]

She seemed to be there in some official capacity as a Member of Congress, not there as a private citizen. But in that case, shouldn't Maxine Waters or Diane Watson, who were his Congresswomen, or maybe Barbara Lee, who represents California and is Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus or even Speaker Pelosi done it instead.

Just wondering since Jackson-Lee seemed to be a strange choice given her apparent lack of connection to Michael Jackson.

[wndycty]

1. She presented a resolution from Congress maybe she was the sponsor?

Also it seemed as though she had some history which could be another reason.

[EffieBlack]

3. Diane Watson co-sponsored that legislation

So she would have been the more likely person to speak since she was Michael's Congresswoman.

[LSparkle]

2. I wonder if Waters and Watson are with Villaraigosa

He's apparently out of the country on some trade trip --
maybe taking several SoCal reps with him?

[polichick]

4. The family is big on Michael's legacy - she's part of that effort. nt

[Catshrink]

5. What does this have to do with GD: Presidential?

[polichick]

6. The prez has MJ's music on his iPod. :)

[greguganus]

10. It's not in GD:P unless it was just moved here. n/t

[WolverineDG]

7. She knows she's in trouble in her district

thanks to her behavior during the primary.

dg

[Judi Lynn]

16. Why attack this woman? Democrats respect and admire her.

Stop trying to trash her. You're grotesquely out of line.

[WolverineDG]

18. Since when is stating the truth at "attack?"

I'm not trashing her, just stating the facts. She will be facing an opponent in the Democratic primary in 2010 because of her actions in the 2008 primary. Don't believe me? Look on YouTube for video of her precinct caucus. She got booed. It's not an attack or "trashing" just because you don't like it.

dg

[friendly_iconoclast]

8. The cynical answer: She's the highest ranking Congressperson they could get, and...

It will play well in her district

[Are_grits_groceries]

9. She left DC so

she would avoid making Peter King into a doormat.

[NeedleCast]

11. 39

[Ikonoklast]

12. 28

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. She's a publicity hound.

The joke in Houston is that the most dangerous place to be is between Sheila Jackson Lee and a TV camera.

[KoKo]

14. She was there because of Jackson's work on HIV through transfusion and his Visits to Vets

in hospitals. She said that Jackson's work was not know out of DC. She claimed he came to the House and was an advocate.

That's why she honored him with the rest of Congress.

[NavyMom]

15. Why? Because she is a media hound, why wasn't

the representative there or at least someone from CA. I can't STAND this selfish, conceited, bought, arrogant, narcissistic bitch. I so want her out of office, her remark of knowing what's best for "you people" during our caucus pissed me off ROYALLY. She now knows if she faces a primary opponent she will lose, some are actively looking for someone to run against he. Her office had the audacity to request funds I told her if I give her one red cent she has my permission to kick my ass from Houston to DC.

[EFerrari]

17. Resentful, party of one.