Jesse Jackson Jr resigns - shocker!

[merithyn]

The story isn't really the interesting part. The comments on WSJ are priceless, though. 

Source

CHICAGO—U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. has notified congressional leaders that he has resigned from office, just two weeks after winning re-election.

Mr. Jackson in a resignation letter sent to House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) on Wednesday wrote that he's resigning "effective today, in order to focus on my health."

He also makes reference to a federal probe, saying in the letter that he is cooperating with investigators and doing his best to "accept responsibility for my mistakes."

Mr. Jackson, 47 years old, was first elected in 1995 and represents a district on Chicago's South Side. He has stayed out of the public eye since the spring. He has said he is suffering from depression and gastrointestinal issues, seeking treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The congressman is the subject of a criminal probe into allegations he misused campaign money to decorate his house, according to people familiar with matter. The resignation announcement isn't related to any imminent action in the criminal probe, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.

Illinois law requires the governor to set a date for a special election when a congressional seat becomes vacant. A spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn said his office is required to make a decision on that date in the next five days.

[Caliga]

I LOLed when I heard that he got re-elected.

[derspiess]

My brother met the real Jesse Jackson a couple weeks ago.  He claims he addressed him as Rev. Sharpton but I'm suspicious.

[Phillip V]

Nice. Now they can spend money on another election in a few months.

[Fireblade]

What sort of shenanigans is he connected to? I've heard (read: DailyKos) his excuse of "poor health" is a cover for being implicated in some Chicago-style politics. Is he accused of stashing money in his freezer like my nigga Dollar Bill Jefferson or something?

[Martinus]

What sort of shenanigans is he connected to? I've heard (read: DailyKos) his excuse of "poor health" is a cover for being implicated in some Chicago-style politics. Is he accused of stashing money in his freezer like my nigga Dollar Bill Jefferson or something?

Uhm, it says so in the article. 

[katmai]

You have to remember that fireblade is from Arkansas. 

[Fireblade]

My bad. 

[Phillip V]

Lavish Lifestyle of a Lawmaker Yields Federal Charges

'Jesse L. Jackson Jr., the former Illinois congressman, used about $750,000 in campaign funds to buy items like a $5,000 football signed by United States presidents, a $43,350 gold-plated men’s Rolex watch, two hats that once belonged to Michael Jackson — including a $4,600 fedora — and an $800 cape.

Mr. Jackson was elected to Congress in 1995 at age 30 after his predecessor Mel Reynolds was convicted on charges of having sex with a teenage campaign volunteer.

Reynolds has announced his candidacy to replace the recently resigned Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the Illinois's 2nd congressional district special election, 2013.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/16/us/politics/jesse-jackson-jr-charged-in-misuse-of-campaign-money.html

[Caliga]

My my, isn't this surprising.

[Ed Anger]

My brother met the real Jesse Jackson a couple weeks ago.  He claims he addressed him as Rev. Sharpton but I'm suspicious.

They all look alike.

[garbon]

My brother met the real Jesse Jackson a couple weeks ago.  He claims he addressed him as Rev. Sharpton but I'm suspicious.

When he spoke outside at Stanford to perhaps 50 or so people - I stopped momentarily and then rolled my eyes on my way to my dorm.

[Phillip V]

'Former Illinois congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. pleaded guilty to charges that could send him to prison for roughly four years.'

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/us/politics/jesse-l-jackson-jr-pleads-guilty-to-wire-and-mail-fraud.html

[fhdz]

Lavish Lifestyle of a Lawmaker Yields Federal Charges
Mr. Jackson was elected to Congress in 1995 at age 30 after his predecessor Mel Reynolds was convicted on charges of having sex with a teenage campaign volunteer.

Reynolds has announced his candidacy to replace the recently resigned Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the Illinois's 2nd congressional district special election, 2013.'

[garbon]

Lavish Lifestyle of a Lawmaker Yields Federal Charges
Mr. Jackson was elected to Congress in 1995 at age 30 after his predecessor Mel Reynolds was convicted on charges of having sex with a teenage campaign volunteer.

Reynolds has announced his candidacy to replace the recently resigned Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the Illinois's 2nd congressional district special election, 2013.'

Well considering that Mel Reynolds one re-election when the charges were pending, why the hell not?