Source: Obama wants Valerie Jarrett to replace him in Senate

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

A prominent Democratic source close to Barack Obama confirmed Sunday that Valerie Jarrett is Obama’s choice to replace him in the Senate. Jarrett is a Chicago lawyer and one of Obama’s closest advisers. She is also one of the leaders of Obama’s transition team.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff, said Sunday that he had not seen the report from Chicago’s WLS-TV that named Jarrett as Obama’s top pick, but he praised her as a “valuable ally.”

“People should know that Valerie Jarrett is — and people do know — she is a very dear friend of the president-elect and a valuable ally of his, not only prior to running for president, in his Senate life, and just personally for Michelle and Barack,” Emanuel said on ABC’s “This Week.”

The Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, will make the final decision on who will be Obama’s successor.

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/09/source-obama-wants-valerie-jarrett-to-replace-him-in-senate/

[onehandle]

1. What about Alan Keyes? Shouldn't Obama's runner up get a shot?

Why not the worst?

Wait... The worst would be Sarah Palin.

My apologies to Mr. Keyes.

[goforit]

2. Keyes is a republican.

[LeftishBrit]

4. I think that suggestion was sarcasm

Keyes practically defines insanity. And I believe he was the 'runner-up' by quite a huge margin!

[Posteritatis]

14. Obama's take on Keyes is hilarious

In Audacity he was talking about how Keyes was the perfect political opponent, because all Obama had to do was keep his mouth shut and work on his victory speech while Keyes did all his campaigning for him.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Keyes left the Republican party and is an independent now

but he's still an idiot either way. :rofl:

[undeterred]

3. I think that Senators should be elected

and in the rare cases where they are appointed, its a good idea to choose someone who has at least been elected to office. I hate bypassing the voters.

[LiberalFighter]

15. The appointment will only last until the 2010 elections.

Having another election in Illinois or any state that has the same provision would be an incentive for the voters to vote against a candidate running for higher office.

It would be a campaign tactic that opponents could use to persuade them that it would cost the taxpayers their hard earned taxes. And they need to have a breather between elections.

In Illinois, they don't have special elections in most cases to fill vacancies. They are either appointed by the Governor or the political party in some fashion within the district involved. It appears that only a vacancy in the Governor or Lt Governor's office mandates an election when it involves state or local offices.

[Bake]

5. I would imagine Jesse Jackson Jr. is disappointed.

I guessed he was in the running for it.

Bake

[goclark]

6. JJ Jr. will be disappointed I'm sure but

both worked on Obama's team.
I believe that JJ Jr. was one of his Co- Chairs, not sure.

Obama would have lots of other places to slot Jerrett into -- maybe he knows something that we don't know.

I think she is terrific!
Glad that it would be one more woman in the Senate.

[NoodleyAppendage]

7. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s problem is being part of a dynasty that is in the past.

Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Wright, and Farrakan are a dying breed representing obstacles to advancement.

J

[Bake]

9. But Junior is part of the new generation of leadership.

He spoke out against his father, as I recall, when Senior has one of his slips of the tongue/live mic incidents.

Bake

[BumRushDaShow]

10. What does Jesse Jr's life as an individual have to do with his father

and the others of his father's era? :shrug:

Based on your assertion, all the children of past civil rights leaders and/or activists should be automatically disqualified from living their own lives separate from their parents and thus should be excluded in participation in anything including politics. That's nonsense. He's been in Congress for 13 years, apparently eschewed running for the Senate seat that Obama eventually ran for, and decided to defer running for Chicago mayor when the Democrats were about to take back the House in 2006. Now that the House is secure, he may entertain that mayoral run again in the future if he chooses.

[gardenista]

11. Here's the thing about JJJ. He already has name recognition

and a fine political future ahead of him. By promoting a relative unknown (nationally) for this position, Obama is widening the pool or talented individuals coming in on this wave of new leadership.

JJJ is on his way to great things, as well, and he will get support from Obama, no doubt.

[murielm99]

12. How do we know if this is true?

There is nothing official about this news report. It is filled with unnamed sources and speculation.

The person chosen has to have name recognition with all the voters in Illinois, not just those in Chicago. We can't lose the seat to the republicans if there is resentment over the seat being given to a "Chicago insider." The conservative press here will blast anyone who even seems like an insider. The tension between Chicago and downstate Democrats is very real here.

[curse of greyface]

13. Hey look it's a balloon. Ah trial balloons so pretty. nt

[qwlauren35]

16. It's Obama's opinion, but the Governor's CHOICE.

I think the governor will probably, hopefully pick an Obama ally, but he'll probably also pick someone that he believes can hold the seat in 2010.I think JJJ could hold the seat, but I don't know who the other contenders might be.

I think Jarrett is too much of an unknown, and I'd rather see her get JJJs seat if JJJ is picked.

[JerseygirlCT]

17. And you might have hit on it right there:

two birds with one stone as it were: her name out there in consideration, her friend putting it there, all the benefits to Obama of having done that for his friend who has really done so much for him. And then the Gov. goes ahead and puts JJJ in anyway, who, as you say, can probably safely hold that seat in the next election.

Jarrett is no longer an unknown, Obama has returned something of the favor, Gov. looks like a good Dem but an independent one, and IL has a safe Sen. seat again.

Just a guess.