MSNBC Interview- Transcipt

Interview

MSNBC Interview- Transcipt

MR. CLARK: The governor of Illinois is expected to choose a replacement to fill Barack Obama's seat in the Senate by the end of the year, and there are several people, as you might imagine, who want that job. Among them, Illinois Democratic Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., and he joins us today from Washington.

Good morning to you, Congressman. I'm guessing a lot of people are behind you in your bid to replace Senator Barack Obama. Has the governor given you any indication whether you're his top choice?

REP. JACKSON JR.: Well, he has not. I would be honored and obviously humbled to succeed Barack Obama in the United States Senate. This is a decision, ultimately, that the governor of the state of Illinois is going to have to make. I'm confident he's going to make a decision in the best interests of the state and of the nation.

But suffice it to say whoever does succeed the president, they have to share his values and they have to share his vision. Barack did some extraordinary things in Illinois. And as president, he said he wants to fix the economy, he wants to provide health care for all, he wants to provide everyone a world-class education. And these are the kinds of things that I've been doing since I've served in the Congress of the United States.

MR. CLARK: Congressman, there are folks in Illinois and around the country who will make reference to the fact that Barack Obama was the only African-American in the Senate. And so I'm wondering if you think it's important that he be replaced by another African-American, or has that even entered into your mind at all?

REP. JACKSON JR.: Well, what I think is important is that Barack Obama's vision ultimately be replaced in the United States Senate. The color of the candidate, the sex of the candidate is irrelevant to the needs of the people of Illinois.

A number of auto manufacturers, for example, have suppliers in our state who are going to be profoundly impacted by the bailout vote in the United States Senate and in the Congress this week. And so, representing the people of the state of Illinois, dispassionately representing all of their interests, is what fundamentally is most important.

MR. CLARK: You criticized your father fairly strongly during the presidential campaign after he was captured on camera making disparaging remarks about Senator Obama -- then-Senator Obama, the now-president-elect. Is your father still supporting your bid to replace him?

REP. JACKSON JR.: You know, I love my dad. Dad is an extraordinary individual and has played an extraordinary role in American history for the last -- for the last half-century. Probably no one person in America is more responsible for making this moment possible, in terms of breaking down basic walls within the Democratic Party that made this very unique moment possible.

Some of his comments during the campaign were obviously very unfortunate, and as a co-chair of the Barack Obama campaign it was very, very important to me that our campaign stayed on message. And so we did just that.

Reverend Jackson has a lot to offer, and I'm confident that we have not heard the last of Reverend Jackson.

MR. CLARK: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. joining us from the Hill. Thank you for you time today, Congressman, and good luck. And let us know if you get word; we'd love to break that news here on MSNBC, all right?

REP. JACKSON JR.: Kevin, thank you for having me on.

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