Jesse Jackson Jr.

Roskam, Jackson Duel On Health Reform

Adam Doster — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:07:38 -0700

Looking for reactions on President Obama's health care address last night, WFLD's Good Day Chicago dialed up a pair of Illinois Congressman, Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Peter Roskam. Their responses are interesting in so much as they illustrate fairly well the current politics at play in Washington.

Jackson, who hasn't made many media appearances since his name was brought up in the Blagojevich indictment, praised the president for selling the American people on the importance of "more stability and security, on quality and affordable choices for all Americans, and reigning in the cost of health care for our families, our businesses, and our government." When asked whether intra-party disputes about legislative details could thwart reform, he said lawmakers on the center-left need to join together and pass universal coverage now or risking losing their seats next year. Watch it (the relevant section begins at 1:30):

JACKSON: I certainly think that [the Democrats] do [have enough votes] and I certainly hope that they do or the 2010 election cycle is going to be very difficult. It's an off-presidential election year. Central to the Democratic Party’s platform for the last 40 or 50 years has been the idea of universal coverage for all Americans. And the idea that the President of the United States or this Congress under Democratic control would back away from covering all Americans would certainly be a form of suicide for the Democratic Party.

Roskam wasn't quite so excited by what he heard. The Wheaton Republican said the cost of HR3200, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office, "took the breath away from members of the House Ways and Means Committee on both sides of the aisle." (Jackson quickly responded that the Democratic proposals are will be "paid for up front," a fact verified by both the President and the CBO). Roskam also claimed Americans are nervous that a government-sponsored health plan would ultimately drive private insurance into the ground (this clip starts at 3:20):

ROSKAM: I think there’s a whole host of Americans who currently have coverage who are very concerned they are going to lose their private health insurance if we move to the government option, and that’s born out by study after study.

This is a common theme during Roskam's health care rants. But since he's is so fond of the CBO, let's look at their data and see if it bears out his fears. The same analysis of the tri-committee bill above found that about 10-11 million individuals will enroll in the public option by 2019. Why is the number so low? Because only those that that are unemployed, self-employed, or work at businesses with 10 or fewer employees (about 30 million Americans) will be eligible for the Health Insurance Exchange, which would house the government-run plan. Of those 30 million, many will instead choose instead to purchase regulated plans from private insurance companies. This updated flowchart from Donkeylicious blogger Nick Beaudrot provides a nice visual reminder of how the main bills floating through Congress would affect all Americans.

This is the essence of the debate. On one side, we have a lawmaker pushing for universal access as a constitutional and human right. On the other, we have a lawmaker relying on distortions and misinterpretations to block reform. That's the main reason there won't be a bipartisan bill.

Progressives Raise Cash For Public Option Supporters

Angela Caputo — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:34:55 -0700

Progressives have made it clear that they will fight to include a public option in whatever health care reform package emerges on Capitol Hill. Now they're putting their money where their mouths are. In a show of support for those members of Congress who have pledged to reject any bill that lacks a public plan, activists have raised nearly $400,000 from over 6,500 supporters through ActBlue during the past week. Firedoglake's Jane Hamsher -- who is steering the fundraising campaign along with various other bloggers (under the umbrella organization Blue America) -- describes the financial support as "rewarding good behavior." The money also applies some pressure to the Progressive Caucus to stand by their pledge if push comes to shove. Blue America explains:

They stood with the American people and ordinary working families when push came to shove and both political parties decided propping up a disastrous health care system and a corrupt Insurance Industry was more important than keeping the promise made over and over to working families [...]

That takes courage, and we need to show them how much we appreciate them for doing so.

Also of note: The list of benificiaries includes three members of Illinois' congressional delegation -- Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Phil Hare -- who've pulled in nearly $13,000 combined.

Illinois Dems Renew Push For Immigration Reform

Angela Caputo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:13:58 -0700

When the summer recess is over and Congress returns to Capitol Hill, will immigration reform remain a top priority for Democrats? While members of Congress have been sending mixed messages about exactly how hard they'll push for reform, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has pledged to introduce legislation before Labor Day. And just this morning, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said that she sees drafting such legislation as the most pressing issue on her department's agenda. Still, the White House itself has been somewhat slow to commit.

Today, seven Democratic members of Illinois' congressional delegation -- Reps. Mike Quigley, Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Jan Schakowsky, Phil Hare, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Bobby Rush -- sent an open letter to President Obama urging him to add his political muscle to the immigration fight. "Letters like this push the agenda," Rep. Quigley said at a press conference today. "Our role as a congressmen is to help set the priorities." Watch:

As far as local immigration advocates are concerned, the goals for reforming the nation's immigration laws haven't changed since Obama took office. The broad objective is to put the nation's 12 million undocumented immigrants on a path to citizenship. Sen. Dick Durbin's Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors bill (the DREAM Act) is also sure to be a key part of any package. Here's the outline included in the lawmakers' letter:

We must move forward with a commonsense, American solution that secures the border, protects the rights of all workers, and modernizes our legal immigration programs. A key element of this reform is requiring all undocumented immigrants to register, go through background checks, pay taxes, and study English in order to obtain legal status and be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship.

This comprehensive approach will not only secure our borders, level the playing field for workers, and stop dishonest employers from gaining an unfair advantage, but it will bring in critical revenue by integrating more people into the economy as workers, taxpayers, and consumers. The other options – maintaining the status quo or trying to force 12 million illegal immigrants to leave the country – are neither viable nor desirable.

Rep. Gutierrez has been laying the groundwork for these reforms for months now. In May, he wrapped up his 21-state Family Unity Tour, which sought to energize elected officials and grassroots organizers to push for change. The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights is helping to keep the momentum going through its own legacy campaign. "We see progres," Gutierrez said today. "And it is time for the President to take on reform -- this year."

Bobby Rush Defends Jesse Jackson Jr. On MSNBC

Josh Kalven — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:16:37 -0800

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:

Obama: Blagojevich Should Go

Adam Doster — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:54:34 -0800

Like so many other Illinois pols, President-elect Barack Obama joined the resignation chorus this morning. The Washington Post has the Obama team's statement:

"The President-elect agrees with Lt. Gov. Quinn and many others," said Robert Gibbs, the incoming White House press secretary, "that under the current circumstances it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois."

In measured remarks yesterday, Obama had stopped short of demanding that the governor step down. Blagojevich, meanwhile, seems to have no intention of doing so.

Also of note, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said today that he was contacted by federal prosecutors. He said they asked him yesterday "to come in and share with them my insights and thoughts about the selection process."

Jackson Jr. And Halvorson Oppose Clemency For Ryan

Josh Kalven — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:47:44 -0800

The SouthtownStar is reporting that both Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Congresswoman-elect Debbie Halvorson have come out in opposition to the idea of granting clemency to imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan:

"I sympathize with Mrs. Ryan and regret the hardship this has caused the Ryan family," Jackson said in a statement. "However, I also recognize and respect the jury's verdict and the tragic loss it has caused the Willis family." [...]

"I have the utmost respect for Senator Durbin, and he is certainly free to express his opinion on this matter," Halvorson said in a statement. "However, I believe that just as George Ryan was treated as anyone else would be during sentencing, his situation should be addressed no differently than anyone else regarding early release, and I do not believe he should have his sentence commuted."

WBEZ has a round-up of statements from other public figures around Illinois. And you can check out our readers' thoughts on the subject here.

Chris Matthews Has No Idea What He's Talking About

Josh Kalven — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:17:56 -0800

I don't expect D.C. media establishmentarians like Chris Matthews to have an expert handle on the ins and outs of Illinois politics. But it's still fun to watch them attempt to cover the local scene.

For instance, yesterday on Hardball, Matthews seemed to suggest that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. "made news" earlier that day when he told the hosts of MSNBC's Morning Joe that he would be "honored and humbled" to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. Of course, anyone who's been paying attention back here in Illinois knows that Jackson Jr.'s statement was hardly "news."

During the subsequent discussion with Charlie Cook and Chuck Todd, Matthews immediately brought up the issue of who Mayor Daley wants appointed to the seat. Todd quickly set him straight, pointing out that the only thing that matters is what Blagojevich wants. Watch it:

For what it's worth, Jackson Jr. clearly impressed Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzenzski. As he begins to lay out his and Obama's shared "vision," you can hear her say under her breath, "Oh, listen to him."

Sun-Times Endorses Jackson Jr.

Adam Doster — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:25:02 -0800

Time is ticking for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to name Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate successor. The state’s chief executive -- who may have showed his hand on Thanksgiving Day by calling Rep. Danny Davis “Senator” on two different occasions -- insists he will go public with his choice around Christmas. That leaves just over three more weeks for the political pundits to guess who the unpredictable lawmaker might appoint.

Of course, who Blagojevich should choose and who he will choose are two very different questions. Today, the Sun-Times weighs in on the former, joining the SouthtownStar in endorsing Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. From their editorial:

We believe Jackson, 43, has the drive, the passion and the experience. In his 13 years in Congress, he has distinguished himself as a thoughtful, committed legislator who fights for what he thinks is right. [...]

Above all, we believe, Jackson shares the values and goals of the president-elect, a consideration of no small importance to us in making this endorsement. The voters of Illinois chose Obama twice—first for the Senate and then for president—and they deserve a replacement who fully shares the president-elect’s agenda.

The paper also singles out Attorney General Lisa Madigan as “one other superbly qualified candidate for the job,” but notes that it’s unlikely the governor would offer any favors to the Madigan clan.

Jackson Jr.: Guv Should Consider "Values" Rather Than "Race" In Replacing Obama

Josh Kalven — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:11:28 -0800

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who has been the most aggressive of in pursuing Barack Obama's open U.S. Senate seat, appeared on MSNBC this morning to discuss the appointment. Echoing Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Jackson said, "I don't think it's that important at all that the governor makes a decision based on race." He added that Blagojevich should make "a decision based upon the values that represent the interests of our state and the 44th President of the United States." Watch it:

Also, what's with Andrea Mitchell's claim at the top that "we have an all-white United States Senate"? Daniel Akaka, Ken Salazar, Mel Martinez, Daniel Inouye, and Bob Menendez would probably beg to differ.

CBS 2: Sources "All But Rule Out" Jackson Jr. As Obama Replacement

Josh Kalven — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:39:34 -0800

CBS 2's Mike Flannery sorted through the speculation about Obama's U.S. Senate replacement last night and offered up some interesting -- and unsourced -- developments. According to Flannery, the top three names on Gov. Blagojevich's shortlist are Tammy Duckworth, Emil Jones, and Rep. Luis Gutierrez. He further reported that former 10th District congressional candidate Dan Seals is perhaps being considered and that sources "all but rule out Jesse Jackson Jr." as a potential pick. Finally, Attorney General Lisa Madigan distanced herself from the process. Watch it:

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin indicated yesterday that he's hoping to meet with Blagojevich to discuss the matter today:

“If I could meet with the governor — and we’re trying to set that up right now — I want to keep it confidential between us,” Durbin said. “(Planning a meeting) has been a little more difficult than I thought, but I think we’re going to be able to do it tomorrow.”

Durbin said some of his picks are not on the lists circulating through the media. His main concerns, he said, are finding someone who can represent all of Illinois’ 102 counties and can work well with him in Washington, D.C.

By all accounts, Durbin and Blagojevich have an icy, distant relationship, so it will be interesting to see if this meeting actually occurs.

(H/T HuffPo Chicago)