Jesse Jackson Jr. "Thought About" Leaving Politics

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 3, 2012 2:40PM

Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reports this morning that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. considered leaving politics, a notion certainly exacerbated by the current issues for which he’s seeking treatment.

Sneed cited a source as saying the congressman is also under “intense pressure to make a statement personally about his situation.” Jackson checked into the esteemed Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. for treatment for depression and gastrointestinal issues last week. This marked the first time since he took his leave in June that the public was aware of the nature for his absence.

But the announcement that he had gastrointestinal issues raised new questions about whether the gastrointestinal issues are related to his depression or a 2004 procedure he had to lost weight. The Mayo Clinic has a superior gastrointestinal department and an inpatient psychiatric department, so he'll get the attention he needs. Even though he's under pressure to release a statement on the full extent of his condition, Jackson is in no danger of losing his seat in November.