Illinois Delegation has a Rodney King moment

August 27th, 2008 at 01:38pm Chuck Sweeny

The battle cry of the Democratic National  Convention may be “Unity,” but the Illinois delegation is anyting but unified. Oh, they’re backing presidnetial candidate Barack Obama,  but at the state level, the Rodney King question, “Can’t we all get along,” is usually answered with a resounding “NO.”
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. of Chicago told delegates a Wednesday’s breakfast caucus of Illinois delegates that if the state’s Democrats want to sell the unity theme about Obama, first they’ll have to get together on local and state issues, said Mary Tuite, an Obama delegate from Rockford, by phone from Denver.
To that end, Jackson invoked  a series of hugs. Indeed, “There was hugging going on,” Tuite confirmed.
“ I don’t know all the challenges they have in the Chicago political scene. But (U.S. Rep.) Bobby Rush brought up some issues about being and eagle and trying to soar above the storm. He’s been sick with cancer.”
Also, Jackson, Jr., and Mayor Richard Daley hugged. The two have been at odds from time to time, and Jackson is a possible candidate for Chicago mayor in the future.
Jackson, Jr., also said he wouldn’t be satisfied until Governor Rod Blagojevich and (Illinois House Speaker) Mike Madigan hugged, Tuite said.
“Madigan walked over and hugged Blagojevich. They smiled and shook hands,” she said. Blagojevich and Madigan have been at odds over state budget and spending prioirities for years. Neither has had much good to say about the other.
“And then Jesse Jr. said we want a united party, and we’ve got solve our problems here in Illinois before we can ask other Democrats to unify behind Obama.”
Tuite didn’t say whether the group ended with a group hug and the singing of  “Kum Bay Yah.” Probably not, though.

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