Harry Reid told Blago: Don’t appoint Jesse Jackson Jr; Update: Cornyn rips Reid
posted at 12:30 pm on January 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
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Not just Jackson, though. He also warned him away from Rep. Danny Davis and State Sen. Emil Jones but assured him that Tammy Duckworth and AG Lisa Madigan would be acceptable.
Fun fact: Jackson, Davis and Jones are black, Duckworth and Madigan aren’t. Over to you, Bobby Rush!
Sources say the Senate majority leader pushed against Jackson and Davis — both democratic congressmen from Illinois — and against Jones — the Illinois Senate president who is the political godfather of President-elect Barack Obama — because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election…
Sources believe that at least portions of the phone conversations are on tape…
“Congressman Jackson was encouraged that two independent statewide polls confirmed that he was the most popular Democrat to succeed Barack,” Jackson spokesman Rick Bryant said. “The polls also showed he was in a strong position to win reelection in 2010, drawing strong support from virtually every demographic group.”
Shed no tears for Dingy Harry over the demagoguery to come. He sowed the wind; let him reap the whirlwind. As for Burris, we’re on track to have him turned away from the Senate floor on Tuesday when everyone else is sworn in: Evidently, unless the Illinois secretary of state changes his mind and signs the appointment certification, he’ll be denied entry. If the certification is signed, he’ll be admitted but an objection will be made on the floor to his swearing-in and the matter referred to the Rules Committee, where they’ll sit on it for 90 days to buy the state legislature time to undo the appointment. Exit question one: Why does Reid think Jackson can’t win a statewide race? He was a co-chair of Obama’s campaign. More than anyone else, he can count on Superman to stump for him in 2010. Exit question two: Assuming the Burris appointment ends up quashed, aren’t the big winners … Jackson, Davis, and Jones? The lieutenant governor wouldn’t dare pick a white candidate to replace a black appointee who was blocked, and they’re the three frontrunners. Smart money’s on Davis, who isn’t tainted by a cameo in the federal case against Blagojevich and who had the dignity to reject Blago’s offer before Burris accepted.
Update: An unlikely ally for Bobby Rush: John Cornyn!
“For the last several weeks, Senator Reid has led the charge to deny the people of Illinois a voice in choosing their next U.S. senator in a special election,” Cornyn said in a Saturday afternoon statement. “Now we learn that Senator Reid also took the extraordinary step to lobby against two sitting U.S. congressmen and the state senate Majority Leader in Illinois, and instead told Governor Blagojevich that he supported an appointment for an individual [Duckworth] who recently lost a U.S. House election.”
“The people of Illinois deserve a simple explanation from Senator Reid – why does he believe these three Illinois officeholders are ‘unelectable’ to the U.S. Senate?” Cornyn added.
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It’s obvious. Harry Reid is a racist! He must have gotten advice from former KKK leader Robert Byrd.
rbj on January 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
nonsense RBJ, Dingy Harry and Bobby Byrd are honorary Republicans anytime they engage in (typical) democrat racial obstructionism…
sven10077 on January 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
“Sources believe that at least portions of the phone conversations are on tape…”
SCORE!!!!!
Buckaroo on January 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
This is going to be GREAT!
ThePrez on January 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Those who live by the race card die by the race card. As for the Senate seat, the smart money is on Obama lookalike Dan Seals, which is very good for the Republicans. For those who know IL politics, Seals is the Jim Oberweis of the Democrat party, a ridiculously bad candidate who lost twice in a pro-Democratic district. His rationale for running was basically hope! and change!, hope! and change! Omigod, I look like Obama! This didn’t fly even in a district sexually aroused by Obama. Apparently, the people of IL-10 have higher expectations in terms of knowledge and district services from their Congressman than they do from their President.
Illinidiva on January 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
in the end none of this matters so long as the blacks refuse to leave the donkey reservation….
“words just words” “lies and distortions about what Senator Reid meant”….all that will be heard slung at those few black conservatives brave enough to point out the obvious.
sven10077 on January 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
slime judging slime
rob verdi on January 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Looking forward to Harry’s re-election bid in 2010. Will there be an outraged ethnic opposition group? Will it matter? Will Al Sharpton rouse himself from Caroline’s tea party to form a protest?
a capella on January 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
“sven10077 on January 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM”
my point is getting dingy harry on tape playing the race card [in reverse!] is one of those pieces of the puzzle that sets up for a few more eyes being opened at how the donks actually treat blacks as well as putting him into an indefensible position for ‘10 …
Buckaroo on January 3, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Duckworth and Madigan make it hilarious.
Duckworth has been unable to get herself elected to anything, and Madigan filed that ridiculous lawsuit.
Yet someone is going to tell us that the two of them (and Valerie Jarrett) were recommended with the people of Illinois in mind. Hilarious.
I’m beginning to see how right Blagojevich was to try to get something out of the people that wanted these ridiculous, self-serving appointments made.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Snicker-snort…More proof that Demos project their own racism on the opposition while refusing to see the source of it within themselves.
Christine on January 3, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Oh I agree and did not mean to imply your point is or would be in a sane world invalid. The problem is we do not live in a sane world and I fully expect that through mule gymnastics and the newsies this will either be a non-story or spun to be a GOP generated problem by June. I think it is hilarious that to dare imply Bambi is not qualified having precisely zero experience is cast by these same “civil rights warriors” as being “racist” but Dingy Harry engaging in a stark Constitutional overreach ‘advising’ Blagsy to pick a white is “good governence”.
Anyway there is a really good chance that even if Dirty Harry survives ‘10 he will not survive the looming battle with Bambi…UNLESS Reid and Pelosi gang up on THE ONE!
sven10077 on January 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Our government has been turned into nothing but a joke, and a bad joke, at that.
progressoverpeace on January 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
“UNLESS Reid and Pelosi gang up on THE ONE!”
now tahat would be AWESOME!
Buckaroo on January 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
It is obvious, Harry Reid actually likes that Blago picked a Dem and avoided a special election. I have not seen so much winking since the Palin Biden debate.
Mr. Joe on January 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Don’t get carried away, guys. The political genius and magician O’Boingo is going to step in, unite everyone, and we will all see the rainbows and unicorns.
mr.blacksheep on January 3, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Of course he does. However, Harry isn’t smart enough to keep his mouth shut and now he’s all tangled up in his underwear.
a capella on January 3, 2009 at 1:14 PM
This is the bright ray of sunshine in an otherwise dismal political season. I haven’t has this much fun since…oh I gotta go back to the Clinton impeachment hearings at least!
HawaiiLwyr on January 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Why can’t Biden help solve this?
All he has to do is find another black who is articulate and bright and clean, and Dingy Harry probably won’t mind him moving into his
gated communitySenate chamber.These Dems have got to learn to work together to solve problems.
JiangxiDad on January 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Obama may have bigger problems in the coming weeks than the Blago scandal.
The Norman Hsu bomb is about to drop (pun intended)
Yup, he’s back. The Hillary Clinton buddy and all around lovable little China man is squeeling like a pig to Prosecutors. Word is Obama got tens of thousands in backdoor contributions from Hsu and the Chinese.
ericdondero on January 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Mormons finally let black people into heaven. Why can’t Harry let a black man into the senate?
Mojave Mark on January 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
I can’t wait to see the spin if the Democrats try to block out Burris based on the IL Sec of State certification (whatever that means) if Franken tries to join the Senate without HIS state’s certification…
dish on January 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Sweet.
petefrt on January 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Please please physically blocked this proud, qualified Black man from entering the Senate.
Nothing could be more illustrative of Liberal hypocracy.
Blago is the gift that keeps on giving!
notagool on January 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Burris is currently a Senator, legally appointed by the elected governor of Illinois to fill an empty seat. The Illinois Secretary of State’s refusal to do their largely ceremonial duty in certification is a dereliction of duty on their part. There is no mechanism in the Illinois state legislature to “undo” such an appointment if it was lawfully done, and there is no evidence to suggest that Burris tried to or did buy the seat or that he was illegally selected.
Mibrilane on January 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Anyone know why I can’t seem to create separate paragraphs when posting here? Using Safari or Firefox (on a Mac), it makes no difference – everything runs together.
Mibrilane on January 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
I believe psychiatrists have something called self full-filling prophecy. Really hope there’s something to it.
Tommy_G on January 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
This will be spun into a rightwing racist attack by the GOP on Jesse jr.
budaside on January 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
This is getting so good, I am out of popcorn again.
I am guessing that Burris will easily be seated now that this little piece of information has come out.
Clearly Reid, Pelosi, Obama and all the so called “champions of the working class” are not in the least concerned about doing the people’s business.
This is all about power and manipulating the people.
kcarpenter on January 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Les Nessman…
R-r-r-r-r-r-acist!
whitetop on January 3, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Harry was caught on the wiretaps. Read on in the article.
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 1:44 PM
Exactly….
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Try holding shift when you hit enter/return. This is supposed to create a “hard” line break.
Usually
works
for
me.
innominatus on January 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
I suspect job stability is not in the cards for those prosecutors. Barry is too smart to dump Fitz, at least right out of the gate, but unless the Hsu issue is revisited by the media, I imagine his testimony can be deep sixed and the prosecutors will be replaced. With Her Majesty as SoS, it’ll have to be done, and the media will protect him.
a capella on January 3, 2009 at 1:48 PM
And how the hell are they going to do this without creating a huge “raaaaaaaaaaaacist” scene, after which Burris will still end up being seated as a conciliatory measure???
Who needs soap operas? We got the SENATE!!!
uncivilized on January 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
About this rules comittee thing…could the supreme court just step in and strike it down?
What if the state legislature needs more than 90 days? they probably will.
lodge on January 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Fine with me. I don’t want them doing the people’s business. I hope they concentrate on infighting for the next 4 years.
a capella on January 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
This is an amazing spectacle unfolding. Hopefully the Justice Bros. (Sharpton & Jackson) will feel the need to stage a major protest at the Capitol. The inauguration gala could be very interesting!
innominatus on January 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I just don’t understand what it is about Tammy Duckworth, other than that she is a disabled vet, that makes the Dems in Illinois love her as much as they do. But they are always pushing her out there as some shining light.
And can I complain about Bob Beckel on Fox News who on two separate appearances, one in the morning and one in the evening, repeatedly called Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, “Duffy”? The least people can do before going on national television spouting off about something they don’t know about is to read up enough to not make it obvious that they don’t know about it.
bekarlss on January 3, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Anyone who believes the Mob still doesn’t control Nevada probably also believes Harry Reid is as clean as new snow.
SeniorD on January 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Duckworth isn’t ‘white’ (looks like she has some asian/polynesian and perhaps african ancestors). I dunno, beyond the fun of griefing Reid on this, I doubt actual racism was at play. That said, it’s beyond question that if the parties were reversed here, the Republican would *certainly* be catching hell for being a racist, hehe, true or not.
This won’t help Reid in his re-election or disapproval poll figures (yay!).
Midas on January 3, 2009 at 2:04 PM
You got a point there.
In fact, maybe it is time for government to get out of the people’s business altogether
kcarpenter on January 3, 2009 at 2:05 PM
One cloudy day in November we held an election, and the circus came to town.
Update: The tent has been enlarged to accommodate a fourth ring. This new addition appears to be segregated. More pending.
Yoop on January 3, 2009 at 2:08 PM
I agree. And I also think it is entirely counter-productive for conservatives to even be trying to hassle Reid over some illusory racist intent. Identity politics is just plain wrong and should not be used in any way, even to beat up Dems – as that is a tacit approval of identity politics, itself.
progressoverpeace on January 3, 2009 at 2:11 PM
The dems. play identity politics and since they dispatched the reps. in Nov. they have to prove which of their groups is more equal (powerful) than the others within their party.
MTC
thomasaur on January 3, 2009 at 2:11 PM
And I also think it is entirely counter-productive for conservatives to even be trying to hassle Reid over some illusory racist intent. I
I agree.
I’m assuming the only racial component here is the fear that the people of Illinois wouldn’t elect Jesse Jackson Jr in 2010.
However, I don’t know why Reid would think the people of Illinois would elect Duckworth. She’s been rejected several times.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM
All about New Party member Danny Davis, from way across the pond. So yeah, he probably is the front runner.
Buy Danish on January 3, 2009 at 2:20 PM
What I find hard is that out of the 100 senators Barry was the only black one.
tjexcite on January 3, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Because we don’t know what Fitz has on all of them. Reid is dim but probably expects more to be revealed by the time the seat will be filled.
Reid fears losing the seat to a Republican.
Generally what one fears the most, one doesn’t escape. May this weasely, wimpering, whining, dove-brained creature lose his seat in NV, and the one in IL.
Blago is a public relations Einstein, which is easy – look at the ones he’s passing, some ‘leadership’. I’m so proud to be an American.
Citizens of IL, wake up and take over your ‘representative’ government.
Citizens of the U.S. do the same, from the left, to the right.
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM
what race is Tammy Duckworth?
tomas on January 3, 2009 at 2:43 PM
A few calls have been put in to George Wallace (D-AL) and to Bull Connor (D-AL) on how to use troops to keep blacks out of government buildings.
The Democrats have 150 years of experience in this area.
Ironic seeing Obama paying such great homage to Lincoln (R-IL) as the Democrats do what Democrats do best (define everything by race until it becomes a threat to their power).
mankai on January 3, 2009 at 2:43 PM
The point being made is the obvious hypocrisy of the press. There absolutely NO WAY IN HADES the Republicans could get away with this…
But I also believe that the Democrats patronize blacks because they see them as inferior and in desperate need of whites like Harry Reid.
mankai on January 3, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Tomas- I think her dad is anglo and her mother is Thai.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Doesn’t that blunt the race arguement
tomas on January 3, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Tomas- How?
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Duckworth and Madigan may not be black, but they are female, another important identity group. We’ve been hearing how there are now no black Senators, but we’re about to have a black President, and we have what, only 8 or 9 female Senators? Blacks make up about 11% of the U.S. population, but more than 50% of the population are females. Maybe Dingy Harry was simply trying to rectify the gross underrepresentation of females at the top levels of our federal government.
AZCoyote on January 3, 2009 at 2:59 PM
The Identity angle is the way to go…not race.
tomas on January 3, 2009 at 3:06 PM
As a woman, I like to think there are women out there that would actually make good Senators and are electable in the future. Madigan made a stupid, frivolous lawsuit against Blagojevich. Duckworth has not been able to get elected even with everything on her side- Dem, politically connected, sympathy. Jarrett is part of the machine.
If you are just going to look for women that are where they are due to the old boy network, what’s the point?
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 3:07 PM
There is an even bigger question – why does Reid meddle in IL politics in the first place?
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 3:07 PM
The people of IL should revolt and tell Reid et all to go to hell. Wake up good folks of IL. This is your moment!!!
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 3:08 PM
The people of NV should send Reid the message to get with NV or to go home and retire, with grace, if he has any left. How about it folks from NV?
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 3:09 PM
The way to go is that Reid was angling to get someone he deemed electable appointed to that seat.
Now he’s trying to keep someone that wasn’t on *his* list barred from the Senate. Is it because Burriss is tainted by Blagojevich? Or is it more likely that Burris just isn’t Reid-approved.
The question becomes- what if Blago would have made Duckworth his appointment? Would Reid be fighting it now? I doubt it.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Nevada should drop dingy Harry like a hot potato and send him back to the rock he crawled from under. Thank goodness for people like senator Cornyn . . . who happens to be one of my senators from Texas.
rplat on January 3, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Yes. I understand and I agree. But I don’t like supporting an argument in order to destroy it – i.e. some want to fight cigarette bans by trying to force people to ban everything else that falls under the same umbrella (which includes most of everything) and showing how stupid and disingenuous the cigarette bans are. I don’t like this approach, since those banning cigarettes are more than happy to ban everything under the sun – and it is their disrespect for private property and the Constitution that is the problem, not the particular bans. In any event, the banning morons are not affected by rationality, reason or common sense any more than ants would be. Pushing them to follow their own idiotic rules to the point of strangulation does nothing but end up strangling us all. This is the problem I see with trying to push the Dems on their idiotic ideas about identity politics.
There’s no doubt about that. But those Dems are in for a big surprise. It’s a shame that white libs have no knowledge of history, but they are about to see blacks react the same way that they did back in the 60’s, after they felt they accumulated enough power of their own and no longer needed any help. Jeremiah Wright is nothing compared to what’s coming down the pike. Bill Ayers’ acceptance on the public stage (via HuffPo) is just a taste. It will be very ugly. The 60’s times 10000.
progressoverpeace on January 3, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Coryn makes an excellent point. Tell us Harry, why would Duckworth who just lost an election be more “electable” than currently elected officials…hmmm?
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 3:20 PM
Coryn makes an excellent point. Tell us Harry, why would Duckworth who just lost an election be more “electable” than currently elected officials…hmmm?
Exactly, ts (and Cornyn).
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 3:21 PM
It should be a crime for a person to talk on the phone at the same time while being a politician.
bloggless on January 3, 2009 at 3:23 PM
So, how long until Newt Gingrich and Mike Duncan go on record at the WaPo, NYT and CNN as being “shocked and appalled” by Cornyn’s statements?
KingGold on January 3, 2009 at 3:30 PM
If you are just going to look for women that are where they are due to the old boy network, what’s the point?
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 3:07 PM
AZCoyote on January 3, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Update: An unlikely ally for Bobby Rush: John Cornyn!
He’s hardly saying what Bobby Rush said. Cornyn makes an excellent point.
Obama tried to say the seat belongs to the people of Illinois, but every colleague of his was trying to give the seat to unelected Obama boosters.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Yup. Cornyn’s saying — how can you resist current ELECTED office holders based on “electability” while requesting a person who just LOST an election for an appointment?
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Well put.
progressoverpeace on January 3, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Aren’t we missing the obvious here?
Reid claims to oppose seating Burris simply because he was named by Blago. Now we learn that there were certain candidates that Reid would have accepted and he told Blago just that.
The story here is that Reid’s a shameless fraud.
Okay, maybe that’s not news after all.
Tuning Spork on January 3, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Boy, Cornyn has really pulled the gloves off. My Senator!!! I love the guy!
conservnut on January 3, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Dingy diaper Harry looks like a camp Komandant of Sobibor, he’d like to fry us all, worthless pile of vomit he is.
GlocknRoll on January 3, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Hmmm, Howard Dean and the DNC sure has been quiet lately. I’d start poking the stick around over there to get the official party position.
People of color need to throw these white Democrats out of office and replace them with their own. I’ll help out any way I can.
Buddahpundit on January 3, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Resign Racist Reid. The GOP needs to get all over this one.
Done That on January 3, 2009 at 4:08 PM
I am not convinced the stated reason is the true reason. Reid has one kingdom– the Senate. Pelosi another– the House. President Obama will need to negotiate with the king and queen of Washington, unless he can weaken their power bases by populating Congress with people loyal to himself. Short answer – Reid rejects Jackson because he is an Obama ally. It’s not racism: it’s political turf.
DocKen on January 3, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Harry Reid, closet racist or just another idiot?
fogw on January 3, 2009 at 4:22 PM
This moron with a filibuster proof majority would be like giving the a-bomb to Iran…
SuperCool on January 3, 2009 at 4:29 PM
DocKen
But Ried promoted Duckworth who is an Obama booster, is she just weaker and would be more beholden to Reid in the log run?
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 4:41 PM
fogw, idiots are indignant. Why insult idiots on a fine Saturday?
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 4:44 PM
When the enemies/adversaries dig their own grave, the best thing to do is to just watch, and let them succeed at it.
Entelechy on January 3, 2009 at 4:46 PM
I don’t think they can get around this with a rules committee referral. Can the republicans filibuster a rules committee referral? If so, that would be the best outcome. Prevent the referral, so Reid has to either reject or swear in the only African American. I also think a federal case against dingy reid directing the senate to seat Burris would still be in order. There’s enough on the record to show the bad faith of the democrats and even racial discrimination as a motive to keep the popcorn popping throughout next year.
eaglewingz08 on January 3, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Topsecretk9
I suspect the key is Reid promoted her. She is beholden to Reid.
DocKen on January 3, 2009 at 4:51 PM
DocKen on January 3, 2009 at 4:11 PM
By gar, I think you’re onto something.
Topsecretk9 on January 3, 2009 at 4:41 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth
A little triangulation anyone?
Tuning Spork on January 3, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I suspect the key is Reid promoted her. She is beholden to Reid.
Remember, Obama spent a very public Veteran’s Day with her.
MayBee on January 3, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Unfortunately all of the Chicago/IL side show going on will make no difference in 2010. The voters will vote the same way next time. “The Chicago Way”
Dasher on January 3, 2009 at 4:56 PM
OT: http://www.codepinkforpeace.com/
You guys are going to surprised where the link goes. And everyone will be happy who owns the url.
Lance Murdock on January 3, 2009 at 5:01 PM
The more democrats change, the more they stay the same!
POPCORN!
SouthernGent on January 3, 2009 at 5:01 PM
So let me get this straight. A corrupt mobbed-up Senate majority leader from Nevada is telling a filthy Chicago politician that he can’t appoint a racist filthy Chicago politician to replace another filthy racist Chicago politician. This is supposed to be change we can believe in?
highhopes on January 3, 2009 at 5:05 PM
STAT!!!
highhopes on January 3, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Lucky thing I wrote a song about just this. Feel free to sing along as you follow the bouncing Blagoball.
tree hugging sister on January 3, 2009 at 5:06 PM
We talking the Fitzgerald tapes? I’d love that little nugget to be released.
highhopes on January 3, 2009 at 5:09 PM
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