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Obama phones Jones. reversal on ethics bill - because now he can say he fought machine
SPRINGFIELD---A day after getting a phone call from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, Senate President Emil Jones decided Thursday to summon senators back to the Capitol next week to tackle a high-profile ethics bill."I plan to call the Senate back into session to deal with the issue of ethics only at the request of my friend, Barack Obama," said Jones, whom Obama has called his political godfather. Jones had been criticized for saying he wouldn't quickly call the Senate back to Springfield to consider Gov. Rod Blagojevich's changes to legislation to ban contributors who have or seek contracts worth at least $50,000 from giving to statewide officials who dole out the business. The House overrode the governor's veto last week, but the soon-to-retire Jones said he'd wait until after the Nov. 4 election. Proponents argued that could kill the reforms, citing a 15-day clock they argued started ticking after the House vote. Jones spokeswoman Cindy Davidsmeyer said other issues also are expected to be addressed next week but would not elaborate. Trying to stay in the game on the issue, Blagojevich announced Thursday that he's calling the General Assembly into special session Monday to deal with ethics reform. With the potential for the Senate to also override his veto, Blagojevich summoned lawmakers back to Springfield in an attempt to get them to deal with his suggested changes. The reversal comes after Obama's Wednesday phone call to lobby Jones on the issue. "Sen. Obama called Sen.Jones today to offer his strong support for the ethics reforms pending before the Senate and urged him to pass them at the earliest possible opportunity," Obama spokesman Ben LaBolt said in a statement. Some lawmakers and self-styled good government groups had called on Obama to lobby Jones, given Obama's history of pushing ethics reforms during his tenure as a state senator. By calling Jones, Obama moved to quell questions about his dedication to ethics reform before they affected his presidential campaign. Looks like Palin has embarrassed him into doing one good thing It was unclear Wednesday night what impact Obama's call had on Jones. Stepping outside a Senate Democratic fundraiser at a Chicago hotel Wednesday evening to smoke, Jones was asked whether Obama's input would sway him. "Come on, please, please, please, please, I'm here doing other stuff now. I'm not talking to [anyone] in the press," Jones replied. Posted by: 3dc 2008-09-19 |
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