Progress Illinois

The folks at MSNBC probably didn't realize it, but by soliciting Rep. Bobby Rush to respond to the controversy surrounding Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., they set a dramatic stage. 

As Illinois political junkies know, the two members of Congress have a good deal of history.  In his remarks to the Illinois delegation at this year's Democratic National Convention, that tension bubbled to the surface when Rush took a few veiled shots at Jackson (listen to Ben Calhoun's masterful WBEZ report for the full scene).  Jackson later took the podium and directly addressed Rush's remarks, saying, "Bobby if there's anything I've ever done, or we've ever done to offend you, I'm leaving it at this convention. You're my friend, and I appreciate you."  The two men went on to embrace, triggering the infamous Democratic hug-fest (watch our full video here).

Talking to MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell today, Rush strongly suggested that the hatchet is truly buried.  "I don't believe that Jesse Jackson Jr. was in any way culpable or that he participated in any act that would be unlawful," he said.  "And I believe Jesse Jackson Jr. and stand behind his statements."  When asked whether Jackson has any chance to become the next Illinois senator, Rush responded: "He has really all the capacity, the talent, and skills.  He's got to reach out and he's got to tell his story.  He's got to tell the people of Illinois in very emphatic terms how he would be a U.S. senator in line with the great U.S. senators that Illinois has produced in the past." Watch: