Former Black Panther demands African American replace Obama
Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 12/8/2008 4:00:00 AM

Bobby Rush, a black Democratic congressman from the Chicago area, recently said it would be a "national disgrace" if Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich does not appoint an African American to replace Obama, who resigned the seat last month to prepare for the presidency.
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Rush, a former Black Panther member, is collecting signatures on a petition he hopes to deliver to the governor by Christmas. Jesse Lee Peterson, founder and president of Los Angeles-based Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, thinks Rush's demands are outrageous.

"Just imagine what would happen if Bobby Rush was a white representative trying to put in a white man in a position like this. They would call it racism," he points out. "How are you going to determine what color the person should be rather than who is most qualified for that position?"
Peterson notes he is not thrilled that the leading candidate for the appointment is Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., who Congressman Rush really wants to get the seat. "My personal belief [is] it's going to be Jesse Jackson, Jr., because of his connection with his father and the control that Jackson has in Chicago," he adds. "And also Jesse Jackson, Jr., was part of the campaign of Barack Obama, the president-elect."
According to Peterson, there will likely be more of the same far-left representation coming out of Illinois.