Jackson Rejects Blago Allegations

Jesse Jackson Jr. vigorously denounced Gov. Rod Blagojevich today and insisted he did nothing unethical to try to win appointment to Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. "I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics," said Jackson, who was identified earlier today as the so-called "Senate Candidate No. 5" in the scandal. The Illinois congressman said neither he nor any of his representatives made any offers to the governor, the Chicago Tribune reports.

In taped conversations, Blagojevich said the No. 5 candidate offered to raise $1 million for him if he got the seat. Jackson, however, said he "had no involvement whatsoever" in any such deal. He joined Obama in calling for the governor to immediately resign.
(More Rod Blagojevich stories.)