Jesse Jackson, Sr. Denies Being Emissary for His Son

By Jeralyn, Section Corruption Cases
Posted on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 10:29:34 PM EST
Tags: Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson (all tags)

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Jesse Jackson, Sr. today denied he was the "emmissary" named in the Blagojevich complaint.

He flew to Chicago today and is expected to be interviewed by the FBI tomorrow or Saturday. The critical conversation: [More...]

"We were approached 'pay to play'. That you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."

Marcy at Empty Wheel notes that Jackson, Sr. has legal counsel. I don't read anything negative into that. Only a fool would agree to be interviewed by the feds, particularly in such a high profile case, without a lawyer.

Jackson Sr. identified his counsel as the law firm of Cochran and Montgomery. Despite bearing the name of the late Johnny Cochran, the firm handles personal injury, medical malpractice and civil rights cases, not criminal cases.

Even though the firm likely represents the Rainbow PUSH coaltion, I think if Jackson, Sr. were in legal jeopardy, his criminal defense lawyer would insist on being the point person to respond to media inquiries. I also think he and his son would have separate counsel if they were in jeopardy, and Jesse Jackson Jr.'s lawyer is also James Montgomery.

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Jesse Jackson, Sr. Denies Being Emissary for His Son | 26 comments (26 topical)

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I cannot imagine (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:32:59 PM EST

that if Jesse, Sr., had been the emissary (if there ever even was one and Blajo didn't make the whole thing up to impress his subordinates and himself, etc.), that Blago wouldn't have bragged endlessly about JJSr. coming and begging on behalf of his son.

Can't see Jackson promising to raise vast sums of campaign cash for Blago with a straight face, either.

Maybe, but (none / 0) (#3)
by zyx on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:41:09 PM EST

Denials make me very suspicious.


Really? (none / 0) (#6)
by befuddledvoter on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:46:43 PM EST

So, an innocent person should admit to wrongdoing??


This is snark, yes? (none / 0) (#7)
by gyrfalcon on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:58:51 PM EST

: Yes!!! (none / 0) (#21)
by befuddledvoter on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 10:11:01 AM EST

I hate to see Jesse Sr. dragged into this also (5.00 / 5) (#5)
by befuddledvoter on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:45:33 PM EST

He must be literally seething over this. He was dismissed and demeaned by Obama camp and, especially hurtful, by his own son. I REALLY doubt that he was any emissary.

: Me, too (none / 0) (#9)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 12:03:52 AM EST

but people do strange things for their children, and Jesse Sr. clearly carries a whole load of guilt about family relations.
But it really doesn't make any sense in practical terms. If there really was such an "emissary," it pretty much has to have been somebody very well tied in to money circles. Jesse Jr. & Sr.'s constituents don't have that kind of money, nor would they be interested in coughing up what they do have for Blago's glorification.

15 minutes no comments: is this thing on? (none / 0) (#1)
by FoxholeAtheist on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 10:42:43 PM EST

Odds on this (none / 0) (#4)
by Salo on Thu Dec 11, 2008 at 11:43:35 PM EST

Spreading into obamas staff? Black sounds like a sociopath without the charm...

Who's "Black"? (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by gyrfalcon on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 12:00:12 AM EST

Oh, wait, you mean Blago?

If so, I agree. Actually, he sounds like a guy on a really severe manic high to me. But from everything I read, he's always been like this, so maybe he's just scum.


: my iphone changed Blago (none / 0) (#24)
by Salo on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 01:32:10 PM EST

to Black, many apologies.

This story seems to really feeding on... (none / 0) (#10)
by EL seattle on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 12:46:57 AM EST

... name recognition. (Johnny Cochran? On this of all weeks?)

So, maybe the "emissary" was Jesse Jackson, Sr. Wouldn't that sound right? But maybe it was Al Gore whose name I've heard a few times this week for some reason or other. Or maybe even Mike Ditka? I've heard of him, too. He's from Chicago or something, so it could be him, right?

It just wouldn't be interesting if it winds up being just some no-name lawyer or political flack/toadie/aide. Personally, I'm hoping the emissary was James Baker. That would be soooo cooool.

Arrogance or Stupidity? Maybe both (none / 0) (#11)
by mmc9431 on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 07:59:02 AM EST

The stupidity of all of this is that Blago had to be aware that they were gunning for him. It's been ongoing for at least 4 yrs now. I can't imagine why JJ Jr or Sr would step into the muck. Neither one is stupid. They both have very comfortable lives and a continuing future.

I still wish Obama had appointed Fitzgerald as AG!

: Stupidity! (none / 0) (#16)
by ChiTownDenny on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:16:02 AM EST

That's the point about Blago. He knew he was under a cloud and, yet,... Just stupid! As an IL resident, I have always given him the benefit of the doubt. Now, he's too stupid to have his job. He needs to go. So does, Stroger, Jr., JJ, Jr., Emil Jones, and Madigan. Just sick of the cronyism and arrogance. I may vote straight IL repub next time just to throw the bums out.

Story is snowballing down hill (none / 0) (#12)
by Saul on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 08:23:38 AM EST

Every day a new aspect. It's possible this will be bad for Obama. To many things I do not get.

One is why did not the investigation continue. If Fitzerald was taping the conversation there had to be someone also discussing quid pro quo. I do not think that Fitzerald went up to several people and told them to offer the Ill governor money just to see what he would say. I feel Fitzerald saw where this was going and ended his investigation so as no to many people would be exposed.

Also does not Fitzerald have a motive ot protect Obama for fear of his job during the next administration?

I think the gov is not going to go away without a fight. I think he has evidence that will be hurtful to Obama and others and is holding it back if he is brought to trial. Its his ace in the hold for protection. However, if he sees he is going down then he will talk and bring down as many as he can with him. Maybe out of spite this guy will appoint a repbulican before he is forced to leave. I see no law or current ruling that is taking his power to appoint whoever he wishes to fill the Obama vacanacy.

Also Rezko could also talk as previously posted and no telling what he will say.

I think there is more here than meets the eye and its not good for the Obama image.

Imagine (5.00 / 2) (#14)
by Fabian on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:06:20 AM EST

the utter mess that would have resulted if Blagojevich had actually appointed someone to fill that Senate seat. Right now it is bad enough that it appears candidates will be running in an open election with the whole scandal hanging over them. Guilt by association, whether true or not, is a heavy burden.

If Fitzgerald had waited until Blagojevich had appointed someone, there would be even more scandals to sort out and a lot of expensive and needless damage done.

20/20 hindsight is not to encourage or support extreme egomaniacs like Blagojevich in politics.


I take Fitzgerald at his word (5.00 / 3) (#15)
by ruffian on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:07:21 AM EST

when he said he brought charges now because

He wanted to preent irrevocable damage from Blago acting corruptly to hurt the Trib, name a senator, and not fund the hospital.
the wiretaps were exposed in the newspaper.

The investigation still continues. Charges brought the other day do not preclude more charges later.


Everyone discussing (none / 0) (#13)
by KeysDan on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 08:50:51 AM EST

any conversations with Blagojevich, Harris or their minions, realizes, I trust, that it is very likely that Fitzgerald has a wiretap transcript. Cover-ups and perjury are the bulk of the stuff of which the remainder of this case will be made.

Brings new meaning to the phrase. . . (none / 0) (#17)
by LarryInNYC on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:25:27 AM EST

"Jackson 5", doesn't it?

More has come out (none / 0) (#18)
by BarnBabe on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:30:30 AM EST

$$$$Backers approached each other. Interesting for sure. Sounds as if JJ Sr was not involved. JJ Jr might be on the fringe by association.

: I don't like the sound of the related story (none / 0) (#19)
by Cream City on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:38:52 AM EST

linked there: Questions Surround Emanuel In Blagojevich Scandal. But I gotta go to class and come back later to see what more you see. . . .

: A rather direct association (none / 0) (#22)
by oldpro on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 10:15:16 AM EST

I'd say.
It's getting messy. JJJ is a player in spite of the 'reformer' rhetoric and so is Rahm.
Drip, drip, drip...

I'm a little confused... (none / 0) (#20)
by vml68 on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 09:45:15 AM EST

Since Blago's phones were tapped and he was under surveillance, shouldn't they already know who the emissary was, if there was one? Or are they just fishing around to see who trips up?

Another thing that I don't get is Obama saying he has never talked to Blago about his senate seat, after Axlerod had already stated that he had. Axlerod now claims that he misspoke. Wouldn't it be natural for Obama to discuss his replacement? It doen't have to mean he was planning to bribe Blago.
At work the higher up the ladder we move, the more likely we are to be involved in the selection process for our replacement.
I find it fishier that Obama said he hasn't discussed it than if he said that he had.

: Blago (none / 0) (#23)
by JThomas on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 01:00:52 PM EST

was persona non grata with Obama by last summer. I fully understand if he wanted no conversation with Blago on the Senate replacement.
The Tribune story today identifies the emmissaries as two Indian-american businessmen from Oak Brook. They were definitely big fundraisers for Blago and for JJ jr.
Blago was clearly desperate for campaign funds by this fall and these guys were willing to help him again. They had their own motives..ran some surgi-centers that got state business,I believe and pharmacy business that might have medicaid implications...it will be coming out,I am sure.

Cute Anecdote (none / 0) (#25)
by squeaky on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 06:12:58 PM EST

Slobo and Blago. Heard a story yesterday about then Congressman Rod Blagojevich accompanying Rev. Jesse Jackson and other religious leaders to Belgrade in 1999 for a meeting with Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic to try to gain the release of US soldiers captured by Serbian forces during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia over Kosovo. Jackson gave a long impassioned speech, and then turned to Blagojevich, introducing the then only Serbian-American member of Congress as his "homeboy." "What is 'homeboy?'" Milosevic asked. The speeches came to a halt. The translators were perplexed. They filed out of the ceremonial rooms to work on translating the unfamiliar word. After a while they returned and one said, "'Homeboy' is a person from your village or town." The negotiations went on (and the captured US soldiers were released).

war & piece

Blago, Jesse Jackson, Jr & Obama (none / 0) (#26)
by Rajan on Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 10:17:14 PM EST

It is absolutely inconceivable that Obama is not extremely interested in who will succeed him in the US senate seat which he has just vacated. If the corrupt Blago, out of sheer spite (because he is not getting anything in return), appoints a Republican or even a known Democratic critic of Obama to the Senate, the President-elect will have one less senator to support his legislative plans and one more senatorial enemy to contend with. But, it has been widely reported that Obama has been receiving regular, daily briefings from various federal intelligence agencies including the FBI. Hence, it is equally inconceivable that Obama had not been fore-warned about the court-authorized wire-tapping of Blago's phone conversations by the FBI and that he was advised well in advance to keep a safe distance from the Illinois governor and keep his nose clinically and scrupulously clean in this regard so that he can claim with a straight face that he had no inkling of what Blago was conspiring to do when the story will inevitably break out (as it has done now)!