The scandal surrounding Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich has sent shockwaves through Illinois political circles -- not only casting a spotlight on the state's reputation for corruption but also potentially tainting the field of likely Democratic contenders for President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat.
Who is the principal contender?
The most prominent name on that list of contenders, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.(pictured), is literally facing howls of protests from some of his constituents. About a dozen protestors stood outside his Chicago office Saturday shouting, "Ho ho ho, Jesse Jr. gotta go."
Not only Illinois Democrats, but party leaders in Washington will be in full damage control to prevent a special election to determine a successor to Barack Obama’s senate seat.
Democrats worry that a special election, in the middle of this corruption, would send a Republican to the U.S. Senate to replace Obama.
"I think anybody who's been mentioned up to now -- Jesse Jackson, Tammy Duckworth, Valerie Jarrett -- I think they're all pretty tainted and they're not going to get it," said Democratic consultant William Bike, who is based in Chicago.
A picture of my cave
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