Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. just gave a press conference adamantly denying any wrongdoing in connection with the Blagojevich charges.
“I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics, and have no involvement whatsoever in any wrongdoing,”Jackson said.
He added: “I did not initiate or authorize anyone at any time to promise anything to Governor Blagojevich at any time.”
Jackson continued: “I spoke to the US Attorney’s office and they shared with me that … I am not accused of any misconduct.”
Jackson said he met with the governor Tuesday (he meant Monday, it appears) to discuss the Senate seat, as was reported at the time, but that he believed he was in consideration on the merits.
He closed with an effort to associate himself with civil-rights history, saying he wanted to be judged “on the content of my character.”
Earlier today, Jackson’s lawyer all but admitted that Jackson is Senate Candidate 5. In the indictment filed against Blagojevich, the governor claims that an “emissary” from Candidate 5 approached him about a “pay to play” deal for the open Senate seat that Blagojevich has the power to fill.