NBC news is now confirming that Jesse Jackson JR is Candidate 5

[ErinBerin84]

They say that they don't have Jackson on tape, and Pete Williams claims that Bago was just overheard in a conversation describing being approached by someone, but it is a third hand thing (Bago saying that an emissary ), and the conversation with the emissary was not recorded. Jackson has put out a statement saying that he rejects and denounces pay to play politics, and will cooperate with any investigation.

[Renew Deal]

1. That means that JJJ wil not be the next Senator.

[ErinBerin84]

2. Pete Williams was also careful to say

that it is not clear whether the emissary was speaking on behalf of Jesse Jackson, brought it up as a possibility, etc, and this is just going on what Bago says. Guess we will have to wait and see.

[skeewee08]

3. Very disapointed if this is true

I thought he would be different from his father, but we will wait and see!

[GodlessBiker]

4. Different than his father in what way?

[texasleo]

8. In not being a gangster, probably.

[GodlessBiker]

11. Probably.

[FLAprogressive]

14. He's a political gangster. nt

[redstate_democrat]

5. There's no proof JJJ had anything to do with this.

They don't have HIM on tape saying anything
All they have is Blago's words accusing JJJ.

If they will go simply by Blago's words, Blago could just as easily say Obama told him he would get an appointment for considering Candidate 1. No proof Obama actually did, but simply going by Blago's words I guess that would be enough for DU to crucify him.

[ErinBerin84]

6. yeah, EJ Dionne and Pete Williams were actually pretty good at pointing this out.

[daninthemoon]

9. unfortunately, wether jjj has done anything improper won't be the

important factor. just having his name associated in this will eliminate him as a possible choice for the seat. it just wouldn't look right.

[redstate_democrat]

10. Exactly. This is the intended effect.

[firedupdem]

7. Explain please? n/t

[FrenchieCat]

12. So who is candidate #4?

That is the candidate actually having a conversation on tape with ROD BLAGOJEVICH.

This media hunt and focus on Candidate #5 smells.....if candidate #4 is not being sought after even more agressively.

[gkhouston]

13. The Dud? Sorry, just had a "Mystery Date" flashback.

I went toy-shopping the other day and was surprised to see that game is still on the shelves after all these years.

[oviedodem]

15. Since he is black that AUTOMATICALLY makes Obama completely in bed with the whole thing

[ErinBerin84]

16. Jesse Jackson JR is having a news conference (or maybe his lawyer?) at 4:15

also in his statement (did not originally state it in the op because I did not hear, though it's implied) that he had no involvement. Lynn Sweet was on with Norah saying that because she knows Jackson, she wants to be very careful and doubts that he did something that crossed the line, reiterating that the Feds are not claiming he did anything wrong anyway.