PDA-Illinois Endorses Jesse Jackson, Jr.

December 2, 2008, Chicago, IL

Chapters hope to impact process and appointment

As we celebrate the democratic process that has sent President-elect Barack Obama to the White House, we must also be mindful of the very undemocratic process likely to unfold in Illinois for selecting his successor in the U.S. Senate. PDA-Illinois, which represents over 3300 PDA members, seven chapters and the state coordinating team, is at work to make an impact on the process and the replacement!

Because this seat will be up for election in less than two years, the Illinois Constitution calls for the governor to appoint the replacement for Senator Obama--a throwback to the time when senators were chosen by state legislatures. The new senator will serve out President-elect Obama's term, which expires in 2010. By then, the "named person" will enjoy the advantage of incumbency and could remain in the Senate for years to come, if he or she is a viable state-wide candidate.

PDA-Illinois believes that Jesse Jackson, Jr., will represent all the citizens of Illinois. He will be a strong, clear voice for Progressive change and will support good-paying jobs, accessible health care as a right for all citizens, and bringing our troops home from Iraq soon. For these reasons, PDA-Illinois has endorsed Jesse Jackson, Jr., for the senate.

PDA-Illinois is advocating a more open selection process that allows citizens a chance to express their opinions. We have also launched a campaign to deliver at least 1000 signatures to the Governor supporting Jesse Jackson, Jr., as a viable progressive to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. To reach that goal we have launched a petition drive, online and in person. (Illinois residents can sign the petition here.)

Who will be appointed?

Who is Governor Rod Blagojevich likely to name? The list of contenders includes several progressive members of Congress, including Danny Davis (IL-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02), and Luis Gutierrez (IL-04). Also in consideration is Tammy Duckworth, the conservative Iraqi vet who Illinois Senator Durbin and Rahm Emanuel ran against progressive Christine Cegelis. Others in consideration are Blagojevich's ally, retiring state senate leader Emil Jones.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, has been quirky and alienating, sticking firmly to his early vow of never raising taxes and then introducing all manner of programs that cry out for new funding (1). His administration has been marred by an unrelenting blood feud between himself and other members of the Democratic Party leadership resulting in a legislative deadlock over the past two years, even though the Illinois Democratic Party has held the governor's seat and both houses of the legislature by comfortable margins. Little progressive legislation has even been proposed, let alone passed. In fact, the Democrats talk and operate as if the Republicans were still in power. In addition, Illinois, notorious for its weak ethics legislation, is a hotbed of “Pay for Play” corruption. Not surprisingly, threats of indictment continue to swirl around the governor's office.

When asked who is the most likely choice, Chicago-based political writers have mostly thrown up their hands. One says that Blagojevich doesn't listen to Durbin so Duckworth is out. Another says that Blagojevich dismisses progressives such as Jackson and Schakowsky. And Blagojevich has said he wants to appoint someone who will run strong in 2010, not a caretaker. So that would eliminate Gutierrez, who stated that he wanted to serve for only two years. Danny Davis, 72, and not well known outside of Chicago, would have a hard time winning a state-wide contest in 2010. Blagojevich may be leaning toward his pal Emil Jones. At 70, Jones is also a weak state-wide candidate-leaving the 2010 election wide open for a serious Republican challenge.

What should PDA do?

The question of whether Jesse Jackson, Jr., should receive a PDA national endorsement is before us. Because of the appointment process, the standard PDA Endorsement Policy cannot be followed. Instead, we are asking our members to vote in the poll on our blog. Shall PDA endorse Jesse Jackson Jr. for the U.S. Senate? Vote here. (Scroll to the third item in the center column.)

1 Funding for the Chicago area transit provides one example of the stress and confusion the governor's lefty-righty political actions have caused. As a condition for receiving state transit funds, Blagojevich declared that all public transportation must allow seniors to ride free. Great for seniors, but the resulting drop in revenue prompted fair increases on all other classes of riders.

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PDA-Illinois Endorses Jesse Jackson, Jr.

December 2, 2008, Chicago, IL

Chapters hope to impact process and appointment