Editorial: Time for Rep. Jackson to speak up, clear air

Editorial: Time for Rep. Jackson to speak up, clear air
Copyright by The Chicago Sun-Times
September 22, 2010
http://www.suntimes.com/news/commentary/2734600,CST-EDT-edit22.article


It's time for Jesse Jackson Jr. to tell the full story. During the federal investigation that brought down former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, allegations surfaced that allies of Jackson had offered big campaign donations in exchange for Blagojevich appointing Jackson to the U.S. Senate.

As early as December 2008, in fact, Jackson confirmed he was the "Senate Candidate 5" whose emissary, Blagojevich had said on tape, offered to raise $1 million in exchange for the Senate seat. At that time, Jackson denied any wrongdoing.

Since then, though, Jackson has been remarkably quiet.

He broke that silence Friday on the "Don Wade and Roma" show on WLS-AM (890), acknowledging that he, Indian-American fund-raiser Raghuveer Nayak and others met on Oct. 28, 2008. Jackson said part of the conversation was in a foreign language and that, "I did not participate in any of that part of the conversation nor do I even remember hearing it."

If federal authorities have any evidence of wrongdoing, he added, they should, "Bring it on."

The radio interview raised more questions than it answered. But now the 15-year Democratic congressman has even more to explain.

In Tuesday's Chicago Sun-Times, reporters Natasha Korecki, Chris Fusco and Lynn Sweet, citing confidential sources, disclosed that Nayak told federal authorities that Jackson personally directed him to offer Blagojevich millions in campaign cash in return for the Senate seat.

Nayak also told authorities he paid for two airline trips for a Jackson "social acquaintance," a Washington, D.C., restaurant hostess, at Jackson's request.

Those are significant allegations. Jackson needs to respond to them forthrightly.

In recent years, other major Illinois political figures have made the rounds to thoroughly discuss allegations involving them.

In 2008, Barack Obama sat down and talked to newspaper editorial boards, ours included, to answer each and every question about his links to the crooked Tony Rezko.

Earlier this year, U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias sat down with journalists to discuss in detail his role in the failing Broadway Bank, which subsequently folded.

Also this year, Giannoulias' opponent for the Senate seat, Mark Kirk, met with journalists to address accusations that he had inflated his resume, including his military record.

It's time for Jackson to clear the air as well. Stonewalling won't make the questions go away. On Monday, Jackson's wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th), was peppered at a South Side rally with questions about Jesse Jackson's relationship with Blagojevich.

The demand for answers will only grow more insistent.

From a legal standpoint, Jackson might feel it's best not to comment because the allegations might lead to a federal probe.

But this isn't a case involving an ordinary citizen. Rep. Jackson is running for re-election and might run for mayor of Chicago. His constituents -- current and potential -- deserve to know every last detail.

Jackson is losing traction fast in Illinois politics because people wonder if and when another shoe may drop -- what else don't we know? Only a full accounting can put that fear to rest.

It's possible Nayak's allegations will go nowhere. During the Blagojevich trial, the ex-governor's brother and campaign chair, Rob Blagojevich, said Nayak did offer $6 million, but derided him as naive, clumsy, prone to exaggeration and possessing a "Keystone Kops" mentality.

Moreover, Jackson has built a reputation as a thoughtful, independent politician. He has served his district well, bringing home hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and appropriations and promoting a third major Chicago area airport that would benefit his South Side and south suburban 2nd Congressional District.

It is only fair that Jackson should not automatically be judged guilty on the word of an associate.

But it's also only fair, because he's an elected official, to demand that he fully answer every question.