CNN

Why is everyone suprised about the governor of Illinois. We all know that politics are corrupt, and if you dont know tnan you are ignorant. He just got caught. Wake up peopele. This is such a minor issue compared to our nation. we all know this is the way of politics. We dont want to believe it but we all know. Unless you are ignorant. So why is this the big news when there is so much else at stake. Is this really so suprising.

Obama nor Jackson would risk their careers with a man anyone can tell is not right in the head. This is now a witch hunt to make certain Jackson does not get the Senate seat. I find it strange that everyone considers the Governor to be a lier then why is he not a lier when he is speaking of Jackson. I would believe Jackson before a lier.

I think a true patriot like Rod Blagojevich would be a fine Senator and
definitely a true depiction of a politician. He can choose himself
should he decide to do so.

And our holier art thou president knows nothing..hmmm, I kept hearing how smart this man is for 2 years, but Axlerod, Emanuel and him all Chicago products never even know anything that happens in their own town and you expect them to clean up Washington? Change?

This man is so smart that he sat in a pew with Rev Wright preaching for 20 years his spiritual advisor, whom he titled one of his "memoirs" after and never heard anything but then threw him under the bus, then knows nothing about Resko but Resko sells him his house and then plays illegal games with the land next door to get Obama an extra 10 feet so no one can build next to him, and he knows nothing, and of course Ayers and now Blago and the sale and his friend in Jackson Jr

Either our President elect is the most stupid person on earth, the biggest liar or somewhere in between

I predict a President Biden by 2010

Until the federal prosecutors state that Jesse Jackson, Jr. is party to Illinois' Play for Pay program, why don't we all ease up on Mr. Jackson?

I had stop watching CNN, because you guys have caused major depression among Americans and you are a contributor to the recession we now face. Get yourself together and help us get out of the recession, people are watching us around the world. It is time to unite as Americans, stop the finger pointing. I had to stop watching you guys because you are the cause of me having high blood pressure. You want to hear from a president that is not in office. Bush has to call for the resignation, not Obama. You guys are confused and you are constantly causing choas and confusion among America. Do a poll about how you guys are doing? You will be surprise with results? Help bring us out of this and stop being a part of digging the hole.

Didn't Obama express the desire to have an Afro-American appointed to his senate seat? How many degrees of separation are their between the corrupt jerk governor of Illinois and Obama?

Jesse should go home if he was involved!

I love AMERICA but the people that make up this nation can be really ignorant at times. It just shocks me how close minded and immature this nation really is. I often wonder will America ever grow up! Why are we even focusing on this matter aren’t will all still in a recession? But people chose to write and read this garbage! COME ON PEOLPE LETS FOCUS ON THE REAL ISSUES...LIKE WILL YOU STILL HAVE A JOB COME NEXT WEEK!!

i can't understand all the lies , we can't trust anyone any more, God bless president elect obama.

KARMA Mr. Jackson......you threw your own father under the bus in order to get ahead in politics and now KARMA has come back to bite you where the sun doesn't shine.

If you are willing to sell out your own father....then I guess buying an election is no big deal.

The man is not stupid or corrupt. So, lets get back to the real problem... the corrupt Governor.

It is clear that the government has hours and hours of tape. It is also clear that Fitzgerald is no patsy for any political party. If there was any possiblity of corruption or hint of "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" bewteen Jackson and Blagovejich, Fitzgerald's office would not have categorically any interest in Jackson for prosecution. There has been nothing in his private or public life that gives any reason to doubt Jackson's statement unless you have made up your mind you don't like him and will not credit anything he says.

Leave him alone until we hear the evidence. It's not his fault that this mentally disturbed governor is corrupt.

He's been in politics for years, a state senator for 13yrs and he didn't know Blago would pull the 'pay to play' trick? Come on guy, come clean!!

Vegas Barbie for Obama: If you read USA Today, Jackson's people admit he is "Candidate No. 5."

I dont believe it for one second and I think it is shameful the way they are tainting Jackson's chances for the Senate seat!!
Simply boot this guy out of office and be done wit this scandal!

I know, I know, my comments are awaiting moderation. So much for free speech here.

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Okay so he's number 5, who is one through four? And did it went higher?

I don't think that people are actually reading the articles before the comment. The article specifically stated that there was no evidence that Jessie Jackson Jr. spoke to the governor about the deal. I would suggest that people actually read the articles before commenting.

Typical...while proclaiming his innocence from the allegations, he's using the limelight to pat himself on the back about how he'd be a great Seantor. This is Illinois politics: people who have not worked anywhere else other than the good old boy political system, clawing and scratching for a position that gives them clout. Junior hasn't served in the military, gotten his hands dirty in a blue collar job, or worked as a manager in the private sector. What makes him think he is the man for the job? The constitution designed the election process so that hard working people with better ideas for government, put their personal lives on hold for a while, gave to the people, then went back to what they were doing. THAT'S public service...not career politicians and politics. Now is the time for the American people to say "enough is enough!" We've been voting our leaders based on their name sake and clout...let's start voting for change.

Brian, Chicago

Fran December 10th, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Did Sara Palin get linked to Sen. Stevens?….No…….Nuff said

I was saying the same thing. Obama get linked to everybody that is corrupted because their path crossed, but Sara Palin didn't get lined to Sen. Stevens even though she was found to have abuse her power. One side NOT!

I really hope that Mr. Jackson was not involved in this, I think we will see more fall out. Blago, had to have someone he felt like he could sell the seat to.

I told my girlfriend yesterday that #5 was probably Jesse J. or his son Jessie Jr. Surpise!!!!

LET'S HOPE HE'S RIGHT BUT HE WAS WORKING THE MO-JO VERY HARD.

If there is nothing to this, why is Blago on tape saying he thought he could get something from Candidate 5? Why make it up?

Don't worry he is a smooth talker like obama and he will get out of this, I promise you HIS hands were leading....

He looks like a crook to me with that played out high top fade

Funny how minorities are being called out and profiled since Obama got elected.

I smell some Republican attack machine gearing up here.... Saty tunned.

Uh, oh. Jesse Jr. got some "splaining" to do.

This governor is an idiot and should be put in jail, period! let's get this jerk out of there and get someone in as soon as possible before he abuses his power.

Permanent damage done here Jesse. Just wait 'til the tapes are played to the public.

In the long run this will be a good thing for America. It is my hope that Obama wasn't involved, but if he was he'll have to fess up, and accept diminished Presidential stature with The People.

What ever happened to Tom Delay?

Obama,Jackson,Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich..The democracts get into scandel even before they take office in Jan..my gosh

What does all this have to do with Obama? Nothing

Actually, Sara Palin did get linked to Ted Stevens, she used the same construction contractor as Teddy boy.

Oh yeah I believe every word this guy says. Didnt the tapes say that #5 offered a million dollars for the senate seat? O course we are already hearing he's being investigated because he is black. Of course it is that crook Governor who is implicating not the Republicans so get over that old excuse.

Well maybe he will use civil right s movement as a protection to get out of this. I am sick of jesse jackson jr and sr. These are such disgraceful politicians.

Vegas Barbie...uhm...the FBI said that he is Candidate No. 5.

Chicago and the state of Illinois are very liberal. I doubt that the people of Illinois are just trying to finger a person of color.

At this point, Jackson has NOT been fingered as having done anything wrong. It's insinuated by Blagojevich wanting to offer him the position if the others don't play ball, but no one has stated it as fact.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Blagojevich is a disgraceful politician and should resign but because he is from Chicago does that automatically means Obama has ties to his corruption.Palin is married to Todd and what he did she came out with a clean slate.You Obama haters are so use to being negative you can't think positive.Now your seeing made up comments from people denouncing Obama as a supporter who really aren't supporters.Even after this man has become president elect there are hate mongers still hopeful to see him fall ...well guess what it's not going to happen.How do you know how this leak came about and who we can thank for it.If Blagojevich was as corrupt as we have heard his greed may lead him to the wrong person and that person may have been someone who was close to Obama that tipped the authorities have you thought about that?Obama won the election fair and square and STOP judging him because of people from his state and certainly people he knows idiots he's a politician but all politicians aren't corrupt.Try getting a life and stop trying to analize so much and get a life or better than that think about all the lies that Bush,Cheney,Rumsfeld,Rove have told and the ones that have put us into this economic mess we are in.Blagojevich is the least of our worries right now he'll get his day

Regardless of who gets fingered in this situation, I will not be surprised. Every politician from Illinois should be suspect at this time.

Did Sara Palin get linked to Sen. Stevens?....No.......Nuff said.......

I hope you'll excuse my ignorance of Illinois state politics, but am I the only one who noticed that this article doesn't even mention the man's first name until the third paragraph? Ok, it's Jesse Jackson's son . . . but a lot of us didn't even know he was in politics.

How did these people even get through journalism school?

Mambo #$

Just as I suspected, Jesse Jackson Jr's name would be called somewhere, somehow as he had been lobbying like crazy for that Senate seat.

I truly hope at his press conference today, he did not lie to the american people. That would be even more disgraceful.

I don't believe that Jackson is Candidate No. 5. No evidence other than the word of a crooked governor and no wire taps of Jackson actually saying anything. This is more sour grapes put forth by those who are ticked that an African American is now our Pres. Elect. They want some person of color to pay for that in Illinois. Not buyin' it. Jackson is, in fact, the best candidate for the job

If this happened in Gary, Indiana instead of Chicago, Illinois I'm sure the media would love a story about the "Jackson 5". Too bad this is the political corruption type instead of the bell bottomed dancing type of situation.

There's a real surprise! Who would have thought? Duh...............

Do you also see those Career Warning Lights flashing?

Are they really going to look into it? or do they have who they want and just let it go. My question is if you are going to use the govenor's words against him and beleive he was looking to pay for play then you should also look into what he is saying about people who were looking to play.

It is too bad the Feds did not bug the Governor's office.

When Jesse Jackson, Jr. met with the Gov. on that Tuesday, what was talked about would be on a tape.

If there is no evidence that he did anything wrong, why is this a story? Its doing nothging but planting the "possibility" of wrongdoing in people's minds.

It is ironic that on one hand all the pundits are reporting that Blagojevich has delusions of granduer, is unstable and is an idiot yet they are using his wiretapped rantings as possible indictments against politicians that there is no solid evidence against, calling into question their statements.

One wonders, as they question others' intents, motives and qualification, what these broadcasters qualifications are. Too much speculation, rumours and anonymous sources indicate a corruption in the news media itself.

Okay so he's number 5, who is one through four? And did it went higher?

Politicians and lawyers, especially the Democrats, have problems with honesty. It is understandable. It is only the beginning, as Obama and those who for him are no angels either.

Mr.Blagojevich is a nut, corrupt & abusive idiot.

It's incredible how these cockroaches are now running for cover. This soap opera ranks with the Elliot Spitzer affair in New York. For those who enjoy their morning coffee with a little front page sleaze, it doesn't get much better than this.

Don't even TRY to pretend that Mr. Jackson wasn't drooling over the idea of becoming a Senator!!!! Pants on Fire!!! He is ecstatic that he is able to convince a black man in high standing – as "President Elect"
to help him in his lofty goals. His denial of a coveted position is bull-!
Seems that the whole state of Illinois has political makeup of crooks and chets and liars!!! Let's see how honest his Mr. Obama will be regarding his friendship with the "other" Jesse Jackson!!!!

LOL..The Jackson 5!

The way this guy was acting like it was "owed" to him while salivating and the mere thought, I have no doubt that Jackson had every intention of 'buying" Obama's senate seat.

What a sad country of equal opportunity crooks we have become.

Of course, at tax payers expense.

I like Jesse Jackson Jr. I hope he is clear of all accusations. He has worked really hard in Congress. I just can't believe Jesse Jr would be involved unless it was to "catch" Gov. Blagojevich.

The Feds need to go after the Illinois first Lady...she's as guilty as her governor husband.

Is there any of Obamas friends or supporters that are not criminals? Have not heard of one yet.

It took until a quote in the third paragraph of this story for me to realize that the "Jackson" in question was, in fact, Jesse Jackson Jr. That's just poor journalism. even the picture and the caption below it refer to him merely as "Jackson." Just a tip: You should give that information right up front instead of simply referring to a person by a last name (and a very common last name, at that) throughout the article.

Does anyone watch The Wire? This guy is like Clay Davis!

Hmmmmm-this is certainly Change!!!-the circle is widening-Who's next-can't wait to see-Resko is singing like a canary!!!!

Say it ain't so Jr, you don't want to dissapoint the Good Reverend
Daddy, he may have to get his " Nutz Knife" out.

The most important thing is this whole story is: "He said there was no "pay to play conversation" with the governor or anyone else on Jackson's behalf."
With that being said, leave the man alone.

I guess we know who told on the Gov. Blagojevich. Jackson refused to pay-to-Play

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's party affiliation is omitted from the story. He's a Democrat if anybody's wondering.

The party affiliation of elected officials should always be included.

Whoever gets to decide the senator that is taking Obama's place, please do not select Jesse Jackson Jr. His father is one of the biggest racists out there and is deliked by millions. Why do you think Jessie Sr and the other racist, Al Sharpton, were relatively quiet during Obama's campaign trail. Obama knew that those two knuckleheads could cost him the election.

I don't know if the Jackson family can handle any more scandal. I hope he's not criminally involved in this.

Bye, bye Jesse. Why would Blago's comments indicate he was willing to pay, if it wasn't true.

Keep your head up Jesse..............

Oh god yes,, Hopefully Jackson is safe.

Oh really? Come on "the Jackson Five? You can't make that stuff up. The Gov. should be jailed for making offers but if Jackson did not show interest than he should be considered.

Oh really? Come on "the Jackson Five? You can't make that stuff up. The Gov. should be jailed for making offers but if Jackson did not show interest than he should be considered.

You know, someone had to be in it. As times moves on, more information is gonna disclosed about who either had a bug on them or when the FBI started revealing little by little what the Gov intend was. Is sounding like that and I'm gonna tell you now, is gonna take time.

Now begins the media witch hunt for headlines.

I'm sure daddy is proud!

Jesse Jackson, Jr. is too smart to get caught up in any scandal.

This could get nasty real quick if Blagojevich cuts some sort of deal and starts naming names.

Oh boy...Jessie Jackson Sr. better not have gotten his son into trouble.

caught in the act

Who cares!!!

However...

The newspaper also reported that Mrs. Blagojevich also had a long business relationship with Antonin "Tony" Rezko, the Chicago developer and former Obama fundraiser who was convicted on fraud charges earlier this year. The Blagojeviches reportedly refuse to disclose how much the real estate company made off Rezko.

Just keeps getting better...

We all human beings were born with an imperfect and sinful nature, and politicians are no exception. Obama and those who work for him are no angels either.