Politics

Congressman Rush: "I No Longer Have Cancer"

South Side Congressman Chides Presidential Candidates On Healthcare

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Congressman Bobby Rush declared Monday that after five-and-a-half months of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy he's now "cancer free."

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that as Rush returned to work, the South Side U.S. representative aimed sharp words at two Capitol Hill colleagues and sometime rivals.

"I can proudly say to the citizens and to the leadership of the Chicago community that I no longer have cancer in my body," Rush said Monday. His altered speech and his physical appearance shocked those who had not seen the congressman since last winter.

Following treatment for a rare cancer of the salivary gland, the 61-year old one-time defense minister of the Illinois Black Panther Party now faces 12 months or more of therapy to restore his speech and ability to swallow. He thanked God for surviving and, at several points, wept openly.

After Rush declared his cancer is gone, doctors said he had a deep lobe parotid tumor that they removed. While there's a significant chance of recurrence, they insisted Rush is up to running for re-election and serving two more years on Capitol Hill.

Dr. Elizabeth Blair said, "Nothing you can do in D.C. is as bad as what we did to him here (at the University of Chicago Medical Center)."

When talk turned to politics, Rush had some strong criticism for an old rival, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who once ran against Rush for his congressional seat. "None of the candidates for office have shown the kind of courage and commitment to national healthcare that I think that this great nation warrants."

Monday evening, the Obama campaign issued a statement that "Senator Obama takes Congressman Rush's concern seriously ... that's why Obama has been clear from day one that as president he'll make healthcare affordable and accessible to every American by the end of his first term. The Obama family's thoughts are with Congressman Rush during his recovery."

Congressman Rush also said he was disappointed with another colleague, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Rush said that during his treatment, he heard that Jackson and his wife, Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th) had been plotting to have her run for Rush's congressional seat. Rush said he was offended by that, but Congressman Jackson has denied he and his wife ever did that.

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