Jesse Jackson Jr. Back To Mayo Clinic For Treatment
Updated 10/22/2012 at 9:30 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Embattled Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. received a show of support from two of his U.S. House colleagues Monday as he prepared to go back to the Mayo Clinic for continuing mental health treatment.
Before he left Washington, Jackson was met by U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush.
"During the course that we were there, there were periods of great laughter and great levity, but then there were also some periods where he would actually cry," Rush said as he and Davis met with reporters in Chicago at O'Hare Airport.
Rush went on to compare Jackson to injured Bulls star Derrick Rose, saying no one is asking him to come back before he's ready. The same should be afforded Jackson, the star he says of the state's congressional delegation, Rush said.
Jackson has been on an extended medical leave for treatment of bipolar disorder as he faces a House ethics probe in connection with allegations a fundraiser tried to exchange campaign cash for a U.S. Senate appointment for Jackson. Meanwhile, media reports indicate the feds are looking into possible inappropriate use of campaign funds by Jackson.
Jackson, who was at Mayo earlier this year, asked voters in a "robocall" over the weekend to have patience as he recovers.
The congressman's father, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., says his son is in a "wrestling match with this emotional state that he's in."
"He'll be going back to Mayo fairly soon for his evaluation," he said. "And the outcome we will not know until after the evaluation is over."
Rev. Jackson says his son has a passion for his job - and wants to get back to work. The congressman has been absent from Congress--and the public eye--since he was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and depression in June.
"As a father, I hope really he chooses above all else his health," he said. "He has some good years in front of him if he makes health his real priority now."
It wasn't clear how long Jackson Jr. will stay at Mayo Clinic this time around.
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