Speculation is rife in Illinois, where Barack Obama has given up his Senate seat, that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr, son of the famous civil rights preacher and 13 year member of the US House of Representatives, will be selected to replace him in the Senate, to guarantee that one African American will remain in the Senate.
Certainly, Mayor Richard M Daley, a political rival of the Congressman, would like to see him removed as an opponent in Chicago politics. It must be pointed out that Jackson, Jr has been close to Obama and that he has been a constructive member of the House and has even openly criticized statements and actions of his famous father over the years.Â
As in New York, there are other well qualified candidates but it seems to me the likelihood is that the governor of Illinois will select Jackson, Jr and that he will turn out to be an excellent appointment, and face running for a full term in 2010. As has been true in the past, having a famous political name helps greatly, but also the qualities of the person matter, and Jackson, Jr cannot be seen as simply being picked because of his race, but also his qualifications and experience.