Schakowsky makes play for Obama's seat
SENATE | If he wins presidency, she 'would be interested'
Rep. Jan Schakowsky has made what appears to be the most explicit pitch yet to be appointed senator if Barack Obama is elected president.
Such an appointment would be at least seven months away and would be made by Gov. Blagojevich.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
"I would be. I certainly would be interested in that. I think it is unseemly and untimely right now to do much beyond stating my interest in that," Schakowsky said Friday in a taping of WMAQ-Channel 5's "City Desk."
Asked if she has a good rapport with Blagojevich, Schakowsky says, "We do have a working relationship, and we have a long-standing friendship. We really haven't discussed this particular issue. I agree with him on his priority of health care and applaud him for the work he has done as the health care governor."
Blagojevich could not be reached for comment.
Blagojevich's friction with some other Democrats around the state limits the list of obvious officials he would like to appoint to succeed Obama, such as state Comptroller Dan Hynes, who was a runner-up to Obama in the 2004 primary for senate.
Among the more interesting options, Blagojevich could appoint Attorney General Lisa Madigan to keep her from running against him for governor. He could appoint himself senator. He could also appoint Obama ally Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Asked if he was interested in the appointment, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said through a spokesman he was "intrigued" at the potential of Schakowsky being named, but "it's premature to speculate right now on a replacement for Obama."
If she does get the appointment, Schakowsky will face a lively election fight, with opponents likely making hay of the conviction of her husband, Robert Creamer, for check-kiting to keep his public interest group alive.
Creamer's prison sentence at the federal penitentiary at Terre Haute strengthened him and their marriage, Schakowsky said.
"If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger," Schakowsky said. "Even that experience at Terre Haute, where [former] Gov. [George] Ryan is now, he wrote a weekly newsletter. He looks to the future. He paid the debt he owed -- no money, his time in jail. It made him an advocate for prison reform. There are a lot of people in prison for crimes of substance abuse."
"City Desk" with Carol Marin airs at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. It can also be viewed at www.nbc5.com/politics.