Jackson: May the Best Man Get Obama’s Seat
Roll Call Staff
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) said Monday that he doesn’t think “it’s that important at all” that President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat be filled by an African-American.
Jackson, whose name has been floated as a possible Obama successor, said on MSNBC that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) should pick someone for the seat “objectively,” and who best represents the interests of the state.
Obama was the only African-American Senator in the 110th Congress and is the fifth in U.S. history. He officially resigned his Senate seat on Sunday.
Another contender for Obama’s seat, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), said Saturday that he thinks race shouldn’t be the main consideration in naming Obama’s replacement.
“The quicker we get away from ... simply referring to elected officials by the color of their skin and their national origin, the better [for] this country,” Gutierrez told reporters at a Chicago immigration event.
Angelides: Bipartisanship Is Crucial for Producing a Meaningful, Job-Creating Climate Change Bill
Nov. 2, 6:47 p.m.
The climate and clean energy bill being debated in the Senate is exactly what we need to revitalize our battered economy and allow American businesses to not only compete, but lead in a low-carbon global economy. Read Full Article
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