Jackson's Senate Chances Now Slim to None

Former frontrunner Jesse Jackson Jr. is unlikely to get Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat because of his ties to Rod Blagojevich’s pay-to-play scandal, the Hill notes. The so-called "Candidate No. 5" has denied wrongdoing, but that may not matter. "Like anybody who's ever been named in an indictment, there’s an implication in that that’s going to be awfully hard to overcome,” said a Democratic consultant.

Jackson probably hurt his chances further by refusing to answer reporters’ questions about the matter, a strategist said. Meanwhile, more details are emerging. Two businessmen with ties to both Jackson and Blagojevich approached the governor and offered to raise $1 million for him to encourage the selection of Jackson, the Tribune reports today. It's unclear if Jackson knew of the meeting.