Jackson Jr.: 'I did nothing wrong'

[maddezmom]

Source: UPI

CHICAGO, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., said Wednesday he has done nothing improper regarding President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.

"I've done nothing wrong," Jackson said from Washington. "I am confident we have engaged in no wrong-doing. The facts are going to bear themselves out and our state is going to be the better for it."

In affidavits released by U.S. prosecutors in Tuesday's arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the governor is quoted on wiretaps telling an aide that an unnamed contender for the Senate open seat had offered him up to $1 million to be named. Officials accused Blagojevich of, among other things, shopping the seat to whichever Democratic contender could funnel the most benefits to him.



Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/12/10/UPI_NewsTrack_To... /

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Rep. Jackson: I am not target of investigation
By CHARLES BABINGTON – 8 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said Wednesday he is not a target of the federal investigation that led to this week's arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

A lawyer for Jackson acknowledged that the Illinois Democrat is Senate "Candidate 5" in the 76-page federal complaint filed against Blagojevich. Wiretapped conversations suggested Blagojevich felt the candidate would raise campaign money for him in exchange for being appointed to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Jackson told reporters in Washington that he spoke with the U.S. attorney's office Tuesday. "They shared with me that I am not a target of the investigation and that I am not accused of any misconduct," said Jackson, who left the crowded session without taking questions.

Jackson, a seven-term House member and son of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, said he eagerly and openly sought the Senate appointment but was not involved "whatsoever in any wrongdoing."

The U.S. attorney's office had no immediate comment.

more:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jclor...

[pnwmom]

1. So Jackson is candidate no. 5. What a nightmare. n/t

[quidam56]

2. Ted Stevens is the reason I am not a Republican anymore

Gov. Rod is the reason I am not a Democrat. http://www.wisecountyissues.com

[kirby]

5. You Sir, need to find another site then... n/t

[onehandle]

6. It's not a requirement of Democratic Underground to be a Democrat.

The loudest people here are not Democrats.

I'll stop my comments there.

[Psephos]

10. Greens, Socialists, independents, foreigners, others - apparently you can all take a hike.

So much for the big tent.

[w4rma]

13. Gov. Rod had a 13% approval before all of this and didn't get along with the Democratic

Party in Illinois or the national one.

[No Elephants]

16. Corrupt people are in all parties. That is not why you join or leave a party.

[Phred42]

3. If you offered Blago a bribe - YOU DID.

[No Elephants]

15. That's a very big IF.

[Alexander]

4. It all depends on who the third party intermediary was...

And whether JJ Jr. knew of that person's involvement.

[marshall]

25. What did he know, and when did he know it?

That's what it comes down to. Anyone who gets a bribe at this level should immediately turn the briber in.

[slackmaster]

7. I like J3, I hope he turns out to be innocent

[Jennicut]

8. Innocent until proven guilty or have we forgotten that JJJ is not accused of anything yet?

[Orsino]

21. He's handling it badly, IMO.

I'll make the same demand of Jackson that I did of Blagojevich. Don't just deny wrongdoing--explain what the fuck you were doing having any involvement, even through third parties or subordinates, with the Gov.

I'll make this demand less urgently, as Jackson hasn't been officially accused of anything. But goddammit, man, protect your image. Get out in front of this story, if you still can, and control it.

When someone just clams up, it makes me think he's afraid to commit to a story. Jackson should hold his head high and describe the extent of any negotiations.

In the court of public opinion, it's own or be owned.

[endarkenment]

24. He stated that quite clearly: he was openly seeking the seat.

Blago has the sole authority to appoint Obama's replacement and Jackson, along with at least four other people, was looking to get that appointment. There is NOTHING illegal about that. Until there is actual evidence that Jackson offered any sort of improper inducement to Blago for that appointment, there is no crime.

[Orsino]

27. Oh, there's definitely something to be said for taking the high road...

...and simply ignoring rumors. I just hate to see him tarred unfairly--if there were ongoing negotiations over the Senate seat, Jackson should be unafraid to say so, and IMO he ought to be open about it.

Of course, if discussion never got detailed, there's not much left for him to say. "I've done nothing wrong," though, is such a weak locution, and it's what all corrupt politicians say a few days before their tearful confessions.

[cliss]

9. Only $1 million?

It seems like a bargain.
Consider the recent Senate battle here in Oregon. The battle between Gordon Smith and Jeff Merkley. I think the final tally was around $57 million.

I think Ole Blogo is selling himself cheap. He shoulda asked for more

[davsand]

11. "I did NOT have sex with that woman."

Oh wait--different person, different scandal, same sort of lame disclaimer.

I have to wonder if his conversations with investigators will go something like this:

"We have one of your people on tape offering Blago money. Cooperate with us or else YOU will go to trial as Conspiracy charges..."



Laura

[robcon]

12. The cover up has begun

This is what keeps scandals alive.

[w4rma]

14. JJJ isn't even a target for investigations. He has done nothing wrong. (nt)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. Delete

wrong place

[robcon]

20. You come to that conclusion about doing "nothing wrong" - how?

A guy whose representatives say he would offer "up to a million" for a Senate seat is certainly entitled to a presumption of innocence in a legal/judicial way.

But saying he "did nothing wrong" is getting a little ahead of yourself, IMO. Let's see what he did, what he promised, and what's on tape.

[VaYallaDawg]

17. And, let's be honest - the public adores a juicy scandal!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

19. So, what's your opinion about JJJ's guilt or lack thereof? -nt

[robcon]

22. I think he was willing to trade money or favors for the Senate seat.

I think he was willing to play Blago's game.

[Gin]

23. watching Jackson during his press announcement I noticed he looked

down at the crowd or the floor and scanned from left to right a lot...he never looked right into the camera....this may be nothing...but since he is an experienced politician who has been on TV many times...I thought that was odd (IMHO)

[snooper2]

26. I guess time will tell...

More than the good Gov. are going down in this one...

Pay to Play- somebody made some cash offers...and they are just as guilty