Published: 12-11-08
President-elect Barack Obama wants Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich to resign over allegations that he tried to auction Obama’s Senate seat as the sensational scandal threatened to touch Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Obama believes “under the current circumstances it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois” adding his name to a growing list of Democratic officials who are pressuring Blagojevich to step aside.
Blagojevich a Democrat was arrested by federal officials Tuesday morning and charged with soliciting bribes as well as conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
A 76-page affidavit signed by FBI Special Agent Daniel W. Cain details what prosecutors said were Blagojevich’s efforts to trade his authority to appoint Obama’s successor in the Senate for favors including jobs for himself and his wife or campaign contributions.
The affidavit refers to various possible appointees by number from “Senate candidate 1” through “Senate candidate 6.”
ABC News citing law enforcement officials identified Jackson as Senate Candidate 5. The Chicago Sun Times likewise identified Jackson citing unnamed sources.
According to the affidavit Blagojevich originally hoped to use the prospect of appointing Senate Candidate 5 as leverage to gain favors from another candidate. He later told an adviser that an emissary for Senate Candidate 5 had approached him with a “pay to play” arrangement in which $1.5 million would be raised for Blagojevich’s campaign committee in exchange for the seat.
Jackson a Democrat said in an interview with ABC that he has been told he is “not a target” of the federal investigation.
Jackson told ABC in a videotaped interview posted on its Web site that “it is impossible for someone on my behalf to have a conversation that would suggest any kind of quid pro quo or payments or offers.”
He said he plans to talk to prosecutors as soon as possible to “share with them my insights and thoughts about the selection process” for the Senate seat.
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