Jack & Jill Politics

From the Field Negro’s Blog – Picture Word Association: William Jefferson.

Like most of you, I’ve become facinated by what is coming out of Illinois these days.  My colleague, Bruce Dixon of Black Agenda Report, is a Chicago native and worked with the President-Elect when he was a community organizer.  He hasn’t even blinked behind this developing scandal of an apparently corrupt governor who had the cajones to attempt to try to shakedown the incoming President of the United States.

PE Obama is beginning to scare me with his almost psychic ability regarding political developments that would trip him up with an accuracy that puts Ms. Cleo to shame, as well as the political chess moves he makes as a result.  Via Yahoo:

WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday joined others calling for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign, distancing himself further from the unfolding scandal over allegations that the governor schemed to barter Obama’s vacant Senate seat for personal gain.

“The president-elect agrees with Lt. Gov. (Pat) Quinn and many others that under the current circumstances it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois,” Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said in response to questions from The Associated Press.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday, accused of seeking money or other favors to influence his choice in picking Obama’s replacement. The governor has authority to appoint the replacement, but top Illinois lawmakers have said they are preparing to call the Legislature into session as early as next week to set a special election to choose Obama’s successor.

Asked whether Obama supports a special election, Gibbs said Obama believes the General Assembly should consider how to fill the Senate seat and “put in place a process to select a new senator that will have the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois.”

Like my colleague, Rikyrah, I am hoping Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., isn’t Candidate #5, because I’d really like to see him as Secretary of Education, or in a greater role in the Congressional Black Caucus, since it appears that the districts of the sorriest representatives in the Caucus are waking up, assessing how effective their representation has been, and voting them out.  Jackson’s leadership could help put the Caucus back on track since they have been derailed for the last ten years, voting for really bad legislation (cough, BK Bill, FISA, cough), while selling out their political influence for the cost of chicken dinners from Popeye’s.

Both Bruce and Rikyrah have begun to educate me on Chicago politics, but I’d like to hear from everyone who can school me on the “Chicago Political Machine”.  I’ve heard a lot about it, but mainly to stay away from it or get chewed up.  Can we discuss, JJP readers?

UPDATE: According to dnA’s post, Jackson is Candidate #5.  So much for my hopes for HIM, and as dnA said, this is a very dumb move to get caught and get your hands dirty in this fashion, and if so, what the hell was HE THINKING?