Jesse Jackson Jr. denies involvement in Blagojevich corruption scandal.
Jesse Jackson Jr. denies involvement in Blagojevich corruption scandal.
In a press conference this afternoon, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) — “Senate Candidate 5” mentioned in the federal corruption complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) — denied any wrongdoing in the controversy surrounding Blagojevich and claimed that he never had a “pay-to-play” conversation with the governor about filling President-elect Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat. Jackson Jr. did not deny his interest in filling the seat but said he “mistakenly” believed that Blagojevich was evaluating his candidacy for the seat “based upon credentials and qualifications”:
JACKSON JR.: In the 13 years I served in the Congress of the United States, I only missed two votes and no other Democrat and no Republican in the Congress of the United States who can say that. I thought — mistakenly — that the governor was going to make a decision in the best interest of our state as well as our nation. I thought — mistakenly — that the governor was considering me based on 13 years of hard work on behalf of the people of our state as well as our nation.
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“Jesse Jackson Jr. denies involvement in Blagojevich corruption scandal.”
It’s time to move on, media. We have more problems in this country than playing Abbott and Costello in the Gov. G-Rod probe. The media should be asking who is Individual C (a former Congressional leader)who was going to help the Gov. on a highway bill according to the criminal complaint. My nickel is riding on Dennis Hastert as Individual C.
December 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pmJesse, take the advice of nancy reagan “just say no” if you’re appointed by this scumbag. it will be the end of your career since you will be plagued with behind-the-hand whisperings of fcorrupt for the rest of your career
December 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pmHOLD ON!!!!
How do we know Obama didn’t give Jr. $5.00 and ell him to call Rod about the job?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Why won’t Obama answer that?
Because he’s G U I L T Y?
Hmmmmmmmmmm?
December 10th, 2008 at 5:12 pmloki
December 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pmWhat are you smoking?
At this point, I am believing JJ Jr. He has been a straight up congressman and I don’t think he is lying now.
I am no defender of the governor, but why did the FBI go to his house – why didn’t they call him in?
December 10th, 2008 at 5:15 pmI think the governor did try to extort money for the Senate seat, but since no money changed hands, nor appointment made, I wonder how much of this will hold up at trial.
I personally think that Obama’s people asked Fitz to move sooner than later because they feared the governor would soon make a Senate appointment, which would have been so totally corrupt.
CNN reported (radio) about 2 hrs ago that HE admitted to being #5
December 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pmphred42 Says:
CNN reported (radio) about 2 hrs ago that HE admitted to being #5
So. Does that make him guilty? How does that work in your warped mind?
I can’t help but believe that Jessie Jackson Jr. would ever be dumb enough to do what Blago is implying he did (through an emissary).
December 10th, 2008 at 6:12 pmRemember that the #5 stuff is just Blago talking on the phone. Since JJJ was the top candidate, it’s understandable that Blago would be bs-ing for leverage using his name. Also, the FBI seems to be saying they have a tape of the 90 minute meeting between JJJ and Blago so, since they’ve got him on tape and don’t think he’s done anything wrong, I’m guessing JJJ is squeaky clean which is what I suspected anyway.
December 10th, 2008 at 7:06 pmThank god everyone is sane over here. People are flipping out over on HuffPost. Seriously I was starting to wonder if I was on Townhall instead.
December 10th, 2008 at 9:03 pmIm a liberal dem. But….guilty as charged Id bet. Im sorry
December 10th, 2008 at 9:09 pm