Bobby Rush says he'll return to Congress -- but sharks are circling;

From the  Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.

By Laura Washington

When powerful people fall ill, tongues wag, and spiders spin tangled webs. Last March, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois' 1st Congressional District announced he had been diagnosed with cancer in his salivary gland. His shadow on Capitol Hill has faded. Tongues are wagging, and webs are spinning. There is no shortage of politicians, pastors and businessmen who covet his job. Yet they know protocol and decency prohibit them from proclaiming their interest.  Last month, the Chicago Sun-Times' Michael Sneed reported that Rush was being "urged to resign" so that the district's committeemen could vote to appoint a new nominee in time for the Nov. 4 election. According to Sneed, those "angling" for the spot include 7th Ward Ald. Sandi Jackson, 6th Ward Ald. Freddrenna Lyle and even Rush's wife, Carolyn. The rumors were flying because Rush has not voted in months and rarely has been seen in public since his announcement. After the Sneed item ran, Rush issued a written statement that "I continue to make progress toward a full recovery. As a part of my recovery efforts, I have undergone post-operative treatments since the beginning of April." His treatments, he continues, "will conclude mid-June and I expect to return to my full congressional duties soon thereafter." Rush, who was renominated in February for a 9th term, added: "I am and I remain a candidate for re-election in the November general election and look forward to serving the people of my district."

Needless to say, that hasn't stopped the buzz.

4th Ward Ald. Toni Preckwinkle is a powerful, progressive committeeman with a poker face and a short fuse. For years, her fans have talked her up as a potential mayoral candidate. Her ward includes Washington Park, headquarters of the proposed 2016 Olympics. If the Summer Games come to Chicago, she could wield even more clout from a congressional perch. When you are married to a guy named Zeus, why not think big?

State Sen. Kwame Raoul has political aspirations and savvy to spare. In 2004, he engineered his appointment to Barack Obama's old Senate seat, beating out Will Burns, a close Obama protege. In February, he turned around and backed Burns for the Democratic nomination for the Illinois House's 26th District seat. Raoul is erecting his own South Side political machine. The 1st District gig would give him a huge leg up.

Then there's state Sen. James Meeks, the reverend whose ambition is dwarfed only by the size of his congregation at Salem Baptist Church. The pols used to tremble when this South Side lion roared -- witness Gov. Rod "Tin Man" Blagojevich -- but the mega-pastor's bark is worse than his bite. I put his chances at absconding with the seat at less than a 25/75 shot.

Tall and unheralded, state Sen. Jacqueline Collins is a double-Harvard grad with a backbone, and a top-tier legislator. She has tackled the tough stuff, from mortgage fraud to sex crimes against children. Her resume: master's degrees from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and Divinity School, 20 years as a TV journalist, a stint as a congressional aide, and leading activist for her home parish, St. Sabina Church. Quite formidable.

There are legions more.

Of course, this might all be premature, as Rush, his wife and key aides all insist that he's on the rebound. I hope that is true and wish him well.

Still, the sharks are circling, and in Chicago, that's bad news for everybody.

Why? If Rush is unable to continue to serve, the Democratic Party regulars will activate their tried-and-true version of "democracy." Committeemen from the 1st District will gather at the smoke-free Allegro Hotel. (It won't quite be like the good old days, but someone is bound to sneak in a cigar).

Why not call a special election and let the voters decide? Nah. The party insiders will cut a shady deal and pick their own hack. That person will win, be able to serve a full, two-year term and will be difficult to dislodge the next time around.

This shameful, family-and-friends policy has saddled us with the likes of Cook County Board President Todd "It's My Sandbox" Stroger and U.S. Rep. Dan "College Professor" Lipinski.

Let's hope voters smoke this one out before it's too late.