Jesse Jackson Jr. Resigns From Congress

Rep. Jesse Jackson resigned from Congress Wednesday, saying in a letter that he is cooperating in a federal investigation "into my activities" but blaming his health problems for his decision to step down just two weeks after his re-election.
Jackson's letter to House Speaker John Boehner was his first acknowledgment of the ongoing corruption probe into his alleged misuse of campaign dollars.

"I am doing my best to address the situation responsibly, cooperate with the investigators, and accept responsibility for my mistakes, for they are my mistakes and mine alone," Jackson said in the two page letter dated Nov. 21. "None of us is immune from our share of shortcomings or human frailties and I pray that I will be remembered for what I did right."
The congressman could not be reached.

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Jesse Jackson Jr. to resign: Brother - chicagotribune.com

He waited until after the election to resign in order to make it more likely a Democrat would be elected (in a special election) to replace him. In the meantime, Gov. Quinn appoints a temporary.

He's been on medical leave since June. Also being investigated by the FBI for using campaign money for his home remodeling. And a congressional ethics investigation.

He's probably doing the best thing. He shouldn't have even run for re-election, IMO. I think it's rather disingenuous to ask people to re-elect you, and then not even take it.

I'm still mad at the Mayor of Minneapolis who filed to run for Governor before officially starting his new term.

rocket88 said:

He's probably doing the best thing. He shouldn't have even run for re-election, IMO. I think it's rather disingenuous to ask people to re-elect you, and then not even take it.

I'm still mad at the Mayor of Minneapolis who filed to run for Governor before officially starting his new term.

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I agree that he probably should NOT have ran - unless something drastic has changed since he filed.

He is doing the right thing here. This is the right thing. I wish he would of left before the election but at least he is doing the right thing now.

Does this mean another Illinois political position is available to the highest bidder?

It's a good tactical move on his part, but trying to use the "poor me and my heath" victim card is, I suspect, what he'll be remembered for.

Chicago politics at its best.

Mycroft said:

It's a good tactical move on his part, but trying to use the "poor me and my heath" victim card is, I suspect, what he'll be remembered for.

Chicago politics at its best.

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Like father, like son.

So, he leaves after the election in hopes that it secures the seat for a Dem amid his ethics violations? He deserves no honor and good riddance to him.

digsbe said:

So, he leaves after the election in hopes that it secures the seat for a Dem amid his ethics violations? He deserves no honor and good riddance to him.

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My thoughts exactly. Had he withdrawn before the election, a Republican would have won. All carefully crafted.

Lol @Conservatives saying that a seat which hasn't been held by a Republican in 59 years would suddenly switch over to them under the right circumstances. That's like a Democrat believing that Louisiana would suddenly become a blue state.

Hatuey said:

Lol @Conservatives saying that a seat which hasn't been held by a Republican in 59 years would suddenly switch over to them under the right circumstances. That's like a Democrat believing that Louisiana would suddenly become a blue state.

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Had he resigned before the election, there was no other Democrat on the ticket. Why are you always such a Smarty Pants?

MaggieD said:

Had he resigned before the election, there was no other Democrat on the ticket. Why are you always such a Smarty Pants?

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I'm pretty sure there would be/is a replacement candidate. I don't see how the timing of the passing of the crown is so relevant.

ecofarm said:

I'm pretty sure there would be/is a replacement candidate. I don't see how the timing of the passing of the crown is so relevant.

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I suppose it is a way to test the waters for the eventual political comeback he plans in the future in some way, shape, or form.

Another reason why was so he could pick up his healthcare and any congressional benefits he could and to cut a deal so they won't go after his OL Sandy who is an Alder-woman in Chicago. Although she was the one that went with the home Improvements on the house in DC.

They need to run all of the Jacksons out of Chicago with their fake azzes and they are all so much for the City and helping poor people. Most of the time they are gaming the system. Living in DC. Sending their kids to DC schools not Chicago Public Schools. Jackson was even paying his OL 4k a month to consult him. She ran that business out of her their home too.

The word is the former Rep who was busted for messing around with an underage staff worker Mel Reynolds, and who was Pardon by Bill Clinton wants the seat. Which with Clinton's Pardon he is eligible for Fed Office. Although Sam Adams said he would be interested in the seat too.

We don't have to worry about the crook Derrick Smith who took a bribe and got busted getting it as he won his election too. So now he will be able to go back to the Illinois General Assembly.

This is daddy's son. Son of a Alleged Civil Rights Leader. Now is the time to chase them all out of Chicago. Let them go to DC where they like it oh so well. They should strip him of all his Benefits from Congress. He was being investigated with the Ethics Committee for Obama's seat too.

Also since he was running around and saying he was so Bipolar that he had to check himself into the Mayo Clinic, due to him not being able to comprehend some of his own actions. They should have to dismiss any vote he made in the House. Disregarding that vote. As he may have not been in the Right frame of mind.

MaggieD said:

Had he resigned before the election, there was no other Democrat on the ticket.

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Ah, so you're saying that if he had resigned before the election, say 3 months before, the DNC couldn't have possibly held off a primary and selected a new candidate? Jesse Jackson Jr could have dropped out BEFORE the election and it still wouldn't have made any significant difference to a district where he gets 80% of the vote. What? You mad cause he dropped out 2 weeks after and not 2 weeks before?

Why are you always such a Smarty Pants?

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Maybe cause I look at the evidence.

Nothing about this is surprising. It IS rather comical how easily he was reelected. Voters are of course very well educated.

MMC said:

Another reason why was so he could pick up his healthcare and any congressional benefits he could and to cut a deal so they won't go after his OL Sandy who is an Alder-woman in Chicago. Although she was the one that went with the home Improvements on the house in DC. ....

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I doubt he could pick up anything additional just by having won the election because the Congressional term does not officially start until January, so he won't have started the next term. I suppose he could have been holding out on hopes the dems would have won the House and he could have maybe cut some sort of deal with the ethics committee in dem hands.

Fisher said:

I doubt he could pick up anything additional just by having won the election because the Congressional term does not officially start until January, so he won't have started the next term. I suppose he could have been holding out on hopes the dems would have won the House and he could have maybe cut some sort of deal with the ethics committee in dem hands.

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Yeah, but I am sure his medical insurance rolled over. Plus like I said the other part was so the Feds don't go after his OL.

Hatuey said:

Ah, so you're saying that if he had resigned before the election, say 3 months before, the DNC couldn't have possibly held off a primary and selected a new candidate? Jesse Jackson Jr could have dropped out BEFORE the election and it still wouldn't have made any significant difference to a district where he gets 80% of the vote. What? You mad cause he dropped out 2 weeks after and not 2 weeks before?



Maybe cause I look at the evidence.

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Actaully, Im mad because my entire state gets a bad name when its the crooked bastards in Chicago and ignorant voters in Chicago, that re-elect scum like JJJr. Then, Im even madder when people like you posture about how it didnt matter.

Accountability matters. If it doesnt, maybe you ought to take a closer look at your fellow political travelers, and question their integrity as closely as you do the guy opposite you on the political spectrum.

Chicago is Illini for crooked---true story.

VanceMack said:

Nothing about this is surprising. It IS rather comical how easily he was reelected. Voters are of course very well educated.

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That's funny.

Hatuey said:

Maybe cause I look at the evidence.

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No, that's not it. :rofl

Good points, Mr. Hat.

MMC said:

Yeah, but I am sure his medical insurance rolled over. Plus like I said the other part was so the Feds don't go after his OL.

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I do not know how long he has served but a few terms will set you up with a pretty good golden parachute out of Congress in terms of benefits.

Fisher said:

I do not know how long he has served but a few terms will set you up with a pretty good golden parachute out of Congress in terms of benefits.

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He was first elected in 1995. He's eligible for a pension, but not until age 62.

Fisher said:

I do not know how long he has served but a few terms will set you up with a pretty good golden parachute out of Congress in terms of benefits.

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He had just won his 10th Term. Plus look how much they scam the Chicago people flying back and forth to DC. Sending their kids to Private school and so they can hang out near NY and that Media World.

Fisher said:

I do not know how long he has served but a few terms will set you up with a pretty good golden parachute out of Congress in terms of benefits.

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Yep, Congressmen make sure they pay themselves well.

That's what we get for letting Democrats control Congress.