Danny Davis seeks Obama's Senate seat

From Suburban Chicago News Someone will get an early Christmas present when Governor Rod Blagojevich appoints a senator next month to fill the vacancy left by President-elect Barack Obama.

Congressman Danny Davis, D-Chicago, was in Waukegan on Wednesday to campaign for the seat at a press conference with state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, and local pastors. Davis has similar campaign stops in Rockford, Peoria, Champagne and Cairo over the next few weeks to reiterate his interest in the open Senate post which expires in 2010.

Davis, who has represented the 7th Congressional District in Chicago for 12 years, is not the only one openly campaigning for the position. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Chicago, is also trying to publicly drum up support.

"I don't think everybody who is interested in being considered intended to be campaigning," Davis said. "I think ultimately we decided that when in Rome you've got to do what Romans do."

He added, "Any dog that doesn't wag its own tail ain't much of a dog."

During the small assembly of about a dozen people at the Greater Faith Church Baptist, Washington asked the governor not to overlook Davis as a viable nominee.

Asked afterward why he wanted to get involved in the appointment, Washington said, "Whoever is Barack's replacement will impact us, whether directly or indirectly so we wanted to put in our two cents, and not stand on the sideline but actually be in the game."

Blagojevich has said he hopes to make his decision by the end of the year but has not indicated who's on his short list.

"The governor thinks highly of Danny Davis and the two have chatted," said Lucio Guerrero, a spokesman for the governor. "There isn't a 'short' list or a 'long' list, but suffice it to say that Danny Davis is high in the governor's mind."

Some other possible successors mentioned in the press include U.S. Rep. Janice Schakowsky and Tammy Duckworth, head of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Obama served in the Senate from 2005 until he resigned on Nov. 16, following his election to the presidency. He was the only African-American serving in the Senate and some would like to see another African-American appointed to his seat.

"It plays a part and an important part to someone you can relate to, to know the problems and conditions of the community," said the Rev. Robert Evans, Sr. of Waukegan who attended Wednesday's assembly.