Sun-Times Endorses Jackson For Vacant Senate Seat

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 1, 2008 9:45PM

It appears Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s lobbying efforts are beginning to pay off. Already considered a leading candidate to be appointed by Gov. Blagojevich to take over Obama's now-vacant U.S. Senate seat, Jackson got a boost today by way of an endorsement from the Sun-Times. In the endorsement, the S-T compares Jackson to the man he would be replacing.

We believe Jackson, 43, has the drive, the passion and the experience. In his 13 years in Congress, he has distinguished himself as a thoughtful, committed legislator who fights for what he thinks is right...

Above all, we believe, Jackson shares the values and goals of the president-elect, a consideration of no small importance to us in making this endorsement. The voters of Illinois chose Obama twice -- first for the Senate and then for president -- and they deserve a replacement who fully shares the president-elect's agenda.

Jackson at times reminds us more of the consensus-inclined Obama, seeking to rise above race and factionalism, than his honorable but more divisive father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The son has even called out the father when he felt it necessary. Back in July, when the Rev. Jackson was caught whispering a rather ungentlemanly comment about Obama -- something, as we recall, about snipping Obama's manhood -- Rep. Jackson played it straight, saying he was "outraged and disappointed'' by his father's "reckless" mutterings.

Gov. Blagojevich is expected to name the replacement by the end of the year at the latest.