Blago's catch-22 on Obama seat

If Gov. Rod Blagojevich really has any thoughts about running for a third term in 2010, he needs the African American voting bloc in Chicago behind him.
So, don't expect Blagojevich to take calls from African American politicians lightly when it comes to anointing someone to fill out Barack Obama's remaining two years in the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and Senate President Emil Jones Jr. are the top black contenders for the spot in that regards.
Today, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who has a long rivalry with Jackson and just survived cancer surgery, came forward with a line-up of black leaders, including Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, with their push to keep the seat in African American hands.
He put out the release pasted below today along with other top black leaders:
But first, some knee-jerk analysis.
Either way Blagojevich goes with his pick, he could do as much to harm his reputation in the black community as he might to bolster it as a base for a 2010 run.
Jackson controls arguably the most powerful black political voting bloc.
A Jones or Davis pick will ensure Jackson picks a different horse in 2010. (Remember that state Sen. James Meeks, a frequent thorn in Blago's side, is very, very close to the Jacksons.)
Picking Davis or Jones, meanwhile, gets Blagojevich only half - at best - of the clout he really needs. And at this point, what can Jones really do for Blagojevich now that he is leaving his Senate seat and diminishing his own ability to bring home more bacon and jobs?
This predicament means it could make sense for Blagojevich to reach outside the black community. (The list is bottomless, but starts with Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth).
Then again, if he does that, he clearly can kiss a black base goodbye for a possible 2010 run. As this release makes clear, both factions in that community won't forget if Blagojevich snubs them all.

Here is the release:

COALITION FOR BLACK POLITICAL EMPOWERMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2008

U.S. REP. BOBBY RUSH ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO GALVANIZE SUPPORT FOR AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO FILL PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA’S OPEN U.S. SEATE SEAT.

CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush released the following statement during a press conference about his organized a statewide effort to galvanize support for an African-American to be appointed to President-Elect Barack Obama’s open U.S. Senate seat. He was joined by Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, County Commissioner Jerry Butler, Ald. LaTasha Thomas, Ald. Pat Dowell, State Rep. Mary Flowers, State Rep. Marlow Colvin, Rev. Walter Turner, president of the Illinois Faith-Based Association, Rev. Ira Acree, president of the LEADERS Network, Pat Hill, president of the African-American Patrolman’s League, and an assortment of community leaders, activists, ministers and concerned citizens.:

“We are at a critical juncture in U.S. political history. Illinois is the state that gave the nation its first African-American president and it is the only state in the union to ever produce two African Americans to the U.S. Senate. Black voters from Chicago to Cairo were instrumental in helping America move forward as a nation toward progress and inclusion, and it is the Black vote that secured the election of our Democratic Governor in 2003.

“With the resignation of President-Elect Obama, we now have no African-American in the United States Senate and we believe it will be a national disgrace to not have this seat filled by one of the many capable African-American Illinois politicians. I am not interested in the position--I am comfortable in continuing to serve the people of the 1st Congressional District and serving as a pastor in the Englewood community. However, as a ranking member from the Illinois congressional delegation, I feel it is my responsibility to address the issue at hand and ensure the grassroots have an opportunity to lend their voices to the process.

“Therefore we stand here today as the Coalition for Black Political Empowerment to send strong message to the chief executive of this state that he must appoint a qualified African-American to fill the remaining two years of President-Elect Obama’s term. There are a number of qualified candidates who have already been vetted in this process and we are here today to reinforce the message that the African-American community will not be short-changed. We intend to put the pressure on.

“We are no longer comfortable in Cannan. The Black electorate is smarter than it was yesterday and we are stronger today than we were yesterday. We are determined to have our voices heard and they will be heard before the governor makes his decision. Though there may be ice and snow on the ground, we are standing here united in spirit and in focus to turn up the heat on Governor Blagojevich as he deliberates on who he will pick to replace President-Elect Barack Obama in the United States Senate.

“Therefore we are announcing a statewide petition drive. The goal of our petition drive is to allow the citizens of Illinois to participate in this selection process, in general, but for African-American citizens, specifically, to have a voice in this historic decision. The petitions are already on the streets. They are being circulated through churches, street and community-based organizations, small businesses, barber shops, beauty shops and on street corners. We plan to deliver these signatures to the Governor ’ s Office before the Christmas holiday.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The petition language reads as follows:

Whereas, since 1787, the only African Americans to serve in the United States Senate have been Hiram Revels, Blanche K. Bruce, Edward W. Brooke, Carol Moseley Braun and Barack Obama; and

Whereas, the citizens of the State of Illinois in their wisdom have the distinction of electing the last two African-Americans to serve in the U.S. Senate; and

Whereas, on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, millions of Americans across this country made history by electing Senator Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America; and

Whereas, today out of ninety-nine senators, and with the resignation of Pres-Elect Obama NO African Americans now serve; therefore

We, the undersigned residents of the State of Illinois, being at least 18 years of age, strongly urge the Governor of Illinois to choose an African-American to fill the vacancy in the United States Senate seat created by the resignation of President-Elect Barack Obama.