Opponent Takes Aim At Jackson Jr. Over Ethics Probe
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Representative Jesse Jackson's opponent is using his ethics probe to pounce.
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports that former Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson says Jackson's credibility is shot.
Debbie Halvorson is attacking the newly mapped 2nd District campaign trail and her opponent the way hunters attack prey.
"It's a shame that with his distractions he's spending more time with lawyers than with his constituents," Halvorson said after a groundbreaking event Sunday.
Halvorson is referring to the current House Ethics probe hanging over Jackson's head like a dark cloud; a cloud that's been hanging there since former Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested and charged with trying to sell Barack Obama's former senate seat.
"Let me be clear," said Jackson this weekend, "I believe in the American system of justice. The process is continuing and in the end I believe I will be vindicated."
Strong words coming just days after Blagojevich's brother and one-time co-defendant offered to testify at those hearings.
Robert Blagojevich is the one who took calls from middlemen allegedly offering to raise more than a million bucks for Blagojevich's campaign if he appointed Jackson to the seat.
Robert Blagojevich says he hopes committee members will at least look at his trial testimony which he says should raise questions that Jackson should have to answer to under oath.
Congressman Jackson's spokesperson said they didn't want to directly respond to Halvorson's comments and referred to a statement in which Jackson said he never authorized anyone to speak to Robert Blagojevich on his behalf.
It's not known how long the ethics investigation will take.
