Marathon Pundit: Sandi Jackson: I am picking my successor, not Rahm

This story is sweet. Foremer Ald. Sandi Jackson, who represented Chicago's 7th Ward in the City Council while living in Washington, said goodbye to her constituents by telephone Tuesday night--presumably from DC.

Media wasn't allowed at the farewell meeting. But fortunately someone recorded her speech with a cell phone. Jackson, who hasn't escaped the purview of the federal investigation of her husband, ex-congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., all but declared that she will choose her successor, who doesn't even live in the 7th Ward.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Although Mayor Rahm Emanuel has promised that his first aldermanic appointment would be based on a transparent community process, Jackson all but declared her chief of staff, Keiana Barrett, as her successor.

“From an insider’s point of view, Mayor Rahm may say he wants to have interviews. The people he will interview will be the people I am suggesting,” Jackson told the gathering made up mostly of precinct workers. “They are interviewing people in the community, but they do that to calm people down. People want to have their input. But for the most part, they turn that matter over to the alderman.”

On Tuesday, Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported that Barrett was under consideration as Jackson’s replacement until it was discovered that she doesn’t live in the ward.

Jackson told supporters that Barrett would be appointed after the residency issue is resolved.

A summary: A sham interview process involving an alderman who doesn't live in her ward scheming to choose her replacement--who doesn't live in the ward either.

In a democracy voters get the government they deserve.

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