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Will Hugs Bring Peace To Illinois Dems?

DENVER (CBS) ― Unity is the theme of the Democratic National Convention, but the Illinois delegation took it to a whole new level today with hugs all around.

It was a surprisingly emotional day for Illinois Democrats in Denver. At the heart of it all was Jesse Jackson, Jr. who broke down in tears as he tried to mend a few fences with the delegation.

CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports that in a grand, theatrical gesture, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., sought to reconcile with a series of powerful people who have been at odds with him for many years.

After a thinly veiled tongue-lashing aimed at him by Congressman Bobby Rush, Congressman Jackson made a dramatic gesture. He told Rush that he wanted to leave any bad blood between them here in Denver. He then offered to hug Rush, who has been ill with cancer.

"Bobby, if there is anything we've ever done or I've ever done to offend you, I'm leaving it at this convention," Jackson said. "You're my friend and I appreciate you."

Today's embrace followed years of behind-the-scenes battling between Bobby Rush and Jesse Jackson, Jr., for influence over local politics. It is a contest Jackson won convincingly in the last aldermanic election. Now, Rush is fighting cancer.

"I really feel like these are moments that are divine in origin," Rush said. "Nobody expected it when he came in. Nobody knew what Jesse was going to say. But it's the kind of thing – in my faith, it's called a movement of the Holy Spirit."

The next politician on Jackson's list was congressional candidate Debbie Halvorson, with whom Jackson has clashed over issues related to a proposed new airport in the south suburbs.

"Lord knows I want to build an airport in the south suburbs, but make no mistake about it, I want a Democrat in Congress more than I want somebody named Ozinga," Jackson said.

After hugging State Senator Halvorson, Jackson asked if anyone else wanted to patch things up.

"Who else out here been mad at me I ain't figured out yet?" Jackson said.

Mayor Daley stood up.

Jackson spent a lot of time and money preparing to run against Daley in last year's mayoral election, backing out only at the last moment. For his part, Daley has occasionally caused problems for Jackson behind the scenes on Capitol Hill during Jackson's 14 years in Congress.

The mayor's first hug seemed light-hearted, almost joke-y. Perhaps the second hug was, too. Jackson, though, was so overcome by emotion that he could not return to the microphone. Seeing that the congressman was, in fact, genuinely unable to speak, the mayor embraced him again, this time with an air of genuine fatherly concern.

"I've been trying to get to know Mayor Daley for 14 years," Jackson said. "I only see Mayor Daley at the conventions and I only talk to him through the press. I've been trying to get to know him, but that's what conventions are all about."

Jackson then urged Governor Rod Blagojevich and House Speaker Michael Madigan to get up and hug.

The two have barely spoken the last couple of years. Blagojevich has repeatedly attacked Madigan over a long list of issues, and Madigan won't attend meetings with the governor.

The two men laughed and embraced, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd.

"We don't have a lot of time to unite the Democratic Party," Jackson said. And that which historically divides us cannot divide us if we want Barack Obama to be president of the United States."

A few minutes later, a reporter asked how long Jackson had been planning today's gesture.

"I just, you know, had a moment," Jackson said.

It was indeed a moment. There was genuine emotion, genuine tears on Jackson's part. Nonetheless, he is an ambitious young man and at times he is a very tough and street-smart politician who has fought some no holds barred battles and has won them.

If he is able to patch things up with Mayor Daley and several of the other politicians he tried to patch things up with today, his career will perhaps enter another phase and the road to higher office may very well be open to Jesse Jackson, Jr.

In contrast to this public show of unity and affection, there was tension on the floor tonight of the Democratic National Convention as a dispute about Illinois public school funding back home and a proposed school boycott erupted right out on the floor in Denver.

Lobbying House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President Emil Jones and Gov. Blagojevich, Rev. State Senator James Meeks could not make them meet together nor get them to endorse a modest education reform experiment.

Meeks is demanding that in exchange for canceling a public school boycott he's called for next week.

"I believe that Sen. Meeks is genuinely sincere to want to do something, but I don't like the children being held as hostages," Jones said.

In response to a comment that Blagojevich and Jones would probably not be able to pull something together by next Tuesday, Rev. Meeks said, "I don't even think they tried."

CBS 2's Mike Flannery and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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