"Hawai'i grad seen as possible replacement for Obama in Senate"

I was following a link at the Honolulu Advertiser to Maya Soetoro-Ng's email about the family when I saw this. Heh. It's Tammy Duckworth. I keep forgetting she's a "local girl," but Hawai'i never forgets its own. As we know, she's also highly qualified for whatever she ends up doing.

Hekate
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"Hawai'i grad seen as possible replacement for Obama in Senate"

Tammy Duckworth, a McKinley High School and University of Hawai'i-Manoa graduate who earned the Purple Heart for her service in Iraq, may be moving up with President-elect Barack Obama.

Duckworth, now the Illinois Veterans Affairs director, has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Obama in the U.S. Senate or as Veterans Affairs secretary in an Obama administration. <snip>

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, following a Veterans Day ceremony yesterday at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, said Duckworth's experience and the respect she has garnered from other veterans would make her an excellent choice for Veterans Affairs secretary. Akaka, chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, said Duckworth has appeared in front of his committee and has proven to be knowledgeable of the challenges facing military veterans and their families. <snip>

State Rep. K. Mark Takai, D-34th (Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City), who has been friends with Duckworth since they attended UH together, said he spoke with Duckworth at the Democratic National Convention in August about her interest in a post in an Obama administration, although neither wanted to jinx anything by being too specific."I think she would be excellent, either as a U.S. senator or as a member of the Obama administration," said Takai, who serves in the Hawai'i Army National Guard. "I think she has real-world experience that many of us can't imagine ever having." <snip>

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will choose who serves the remainder of Obama's Senate term, which runs until January 2011. He said he would like to make an announcement before Christmas. Blagojevich has called Duckworth a "superstar." Other potential choices include U.S. Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081112/NEWS01/811120370/1001
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want to see Jesse Jackson, Jr. in the Senate.

I think it was very significant that Obama was the first African American in the Senate since Reconstruction and I think he has a duty to keep it that way.

Also, JJ Jr. did such a good job as a surrogate and defender of Obama during the campaign. Also, saw him on the DL Hughley show this weekend and he's just such a calm, intelligent, deliberate thinker and I think he'd do an awesome job.

ON EDIT: SORRY DU. GOT MY HISTORY WRONG. AND I'M AN IDIOT. WAS A BIG FAN OF MOSELY BRAUN, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE RAN FOR PRESIDENT. OOOPS. PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!!!!!!!!!

"I think it was very significant that Obama was the first African American in the Senate since Reconstruction and I think he has a duty to keep it that way."

CMB was elected in 1992.

In that respect, there's no competition: Tammy Duckworth has my vote.

I happen to like JJ Jr. better. And I cited a lot of other reasons why besides the color of his skin.
Difference of opinion, I guess....they're both good Dems....so there really shouldn't be any hostility tossed around regarding this choice.
I won't have a scintilla of negativity if Duckworth is chosen...just would rather JJ Jr.

huh? appointing Jackson just because he is black is idiotic.

nor should it.

and I happen to really respect and like him and would like him to see him move up the political food chain and be on the broader national stage....so kill me....geez...it's not like I freakin' suggested Alan Keyes or something....chill!

I'm pretty sure he was the first African American elected to the Senate.

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000871

since Reconstruction. Edward Brook of MA and Carol Mosely-Braun IL

I kinda want to keep him representing 2nd, because the 2nd is awesome and so is JJJ. Selfish, I know.