Another Black Lawmaker Eyeing Obama’s Senate Seat

November 17th, 2008

By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer

Nov. 17, 2008 – Illinois Rep. Danny Davis told me this weekend he’s interested in the Senate seat now left open by President-Elect Barack Obama. “There are number of people being vetted by the governor, I’m one of them,” he told me.

On Friday, Obama officially resigned from his seat, which has increased the speculation on who will be selected to serve and ratcheting up speculation on who’ll get the nod.

Davis has represented the 7th congressional district in Chicago since 1996. And like his fellow Black colleagues from Illinois – Rep. Bobby Rush (D) and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D) – he signed on early as a staunch supporter of Obama’s presidential bid.

Jackson, who served as co-chair of the Obama campaign, has been mentioned as a possible candidate to fill Obama’s seat. But today, Davis, 67, will be added to list of those voicing his interest in the position.

Chicago City Alderman Emma Mitts is bringing lawmakers together to boost support for his appointment today during a scheduled news conference. Predominately Westside elected official with be joined by city and state officeholders. The roughly 20 folks on hand hope their message reaches the right ears: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who will make the appointment in the coming weeks.

Only five African American’s have served in the U.S. Senate, and only three have been elected. Davis said that alone makes it a “pretty unique place to be. It would be very hard not be interested,” Davis admitted.

Sen. Dick Durbin, told The Chicago Tribune he would like to meet with Blagojevich to discuss his short list of potential successors. “I really hope that the governor will be picking someone who can serve the state rather than [be] the caretaker or someone who is, you know, trying to put some last line on their résumé,” said Durbin, a Democrat and the state’s senior senator. “I don’t want to see that happen. I’d like to see him pick someone who can really help me and help our state.”

Blagojevich hasn’t given any indication who he’ll select, but others on the list with Jackson and Davis include: retiring Illinois Senate President Emil Jones; close friend of the governor, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago; Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran whom Blagojevich named to head the state Veterans’ Affairs; Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.-D) of Evanston; and two potential Democratic challengers to a Blagojevich re-election bid: Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan and state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.

It’s uncertain when the appointment will be made, but Davis told me he thinks the governor will make an announcement before the newly elected members of Congress are sworn in in January.

TAGS: rep. danny davis

Comments (71)

Comments

david said on November 17th, 2008

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Aaron said on November 17th, 2008

What in the HELL does Democrat #?#~ Durbin mean by caretaker or a resume builder? How arrogant to believe that he needs to get the Governor to understand the importance of a SENATE seat.

GIVONNA said on November 18th, 2008

WHY NOT LET HIM WE NEED MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN SEATS OF THE WHITE HOUSE IT TIME TO LOVE NOT HATE…..WHY NOT.

seschris said on November 18th, 2008

Of course we need more black lawmakers in political positions all over the country…as long as they are qualified for the position and put taxpayer’s needs first. That must be the first priority…we don’t want another fool like the Detroit major making blacks look bad!

LYNN said on November 18th, 2008

I THINK THAT ..”JESSE JACKSON JR”..WILL BE THE PICK TO TAKE MR OBAMAS SEAT IN THE SENATE!!.IT WILL BE A ..’WIN”.. “WIN” ..SITUATION. I THINK MR JACKSON HAS..’ THE RIGHT TEMPERAMENT”..TO DEAL WITH “FAR RIGHT REPUBLICANS”..AND ..”ROUGE DEMOCRAT S” …( MR LIBERMAN).

jfffnn said on November 18th, 2008

seschris
For the first time I have too diagree with you. Former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick made himself look bad and probably embarassed his mother,out side of that he made nobody else look bad.We need too get out of the mindset that all blacks,whites,latinos or any other race is monolithic.

seschris said on November 18th, 2008

jfffnn,

It’s quite alright to disagree with me; that’s an expected element of honest and intelligent discussion. Plus I’m smart enough to know that I’m not always right and humble enough that I can learn from others. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. That being said my intent was not to indicate that I thought that any race was monolithic only to express that we need qualified politicians who care about the taxpayers needs first in office. The comment about the former Detroit major was trivial. This is a historic time and we as blacks need to step up…but only if qualified. And as an African American I’d like to see more blacks involved; to assure that our needs are being met as well as the needs of others.

jfffnn said on November 18th, 2008

sechris
Your point is well taken and helathy debate is just that.I don’t think you offended anyone,there is only a small number of bloggers that are offensive and they are too be ignored.It is true that these are HISTORIC times that many, many Blacks thought they would never see.My question to you is exactly what is “qualified”,a word we heard and read over and over during the campaigns ? I am one too believe you can have all the book smarts in the world but unless one have pratical experience it’s all for naught about book smarts.

seschris said on November 18th, 2008

jfffnn,

Perhaps “qualified” is not the correct word because I don’t mean just having the right degrees and certifications. That’s the easy part. UMlaw is a perfect example of an educated fool with no common sense. I mean having a true desire to effect positive change in the community around you plus the morals, ethic and character to carry thru to fruition. Being a visionary and a motivator and even if you have never done a particular task before having the foresight to surround yourself with those that have and can teach you. Being a leader doesn’t mean that you have to always lead. Sometimes the smartest leader is actually following his subordinates some of the way. The stuff that makes you go the extra mile to accomplish necessary goals regardless of financial compensation. Public servitude will not make anyone rich so really wanting to have a positive effect on the community and not wasting taxpayer money and time with nonsense is vital. I don’t feel that practical experience is always necessary in order to do a good job. So you see my definition of qualified (for public office) has a lot more to it than the standard definition.

jfffnn said on November 19th, 2008

seschris
I agree with your entire post,infact what you described is taking place with the new administation.qualified does not mean experience, it means forsight and know how to get the job done.Unless a politician gets corrupt the experience will produce good results.

olounwa said on November 24th, 2008

sechris.. you made sense the first time around without having to sign post it… but there are those who need that sign posting… as it is vital to the massaging of their fragile egos!!lol!!! you are one of the few that make any sense on here anyway and you are correct , qualifed people who are minorities should be given the chance to shine in public office of the highest order but on merit not patronage. transparency should be obama’s watchword now..as he is being watched,, very closely..

seschris said on November 24th, 2008

olounwa and jfffnn,

what do you make of this “birth certificate” issue? and President elect Obama’s supposed response to it? I’m really curious.

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