Jackson Jr. denies OK'ing deal for seat

CHICAGO, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. denied Wednesday authorizing making an offer to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich about President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.

"I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make an offer, to plead my case, or to propose a deal about a U.S. Senate seat, period," Jackson, D-Ill., said in Washington.

Jackson also called on Blagojevich to resign and "forfeit his authority to make this Senate appointment" because it would be tainted.

Officials accused Blagojevich of, among other things, shopping the seat to whichever Democratic contender could best benefit him. In affidavits released by U.S. prosecutors in Tuesday's arrest of Blagojevich, the governor is quoted on wiretaps telling an aide that an unnamed contender for the open seat offered up to $1 million for the post.

Jackson, son of civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson, is the unnamed senator Blagojevich discusses, Jackson attorney James Montgomery Sr. said during a news conference, but did nothing improper and was not a target of an investigation.

Jackson said he thought he was being considered for the seat "because I had earned it" for his 13 years of representing his constituents.

"I thought ... the process was fair," he said. "Clearly, I was mistaken."

Jackson, who has made no secret of wanting to be named to Obama's seat, said he met Blagojevich Tuesday "for the first time in four years" to discuss his qualifications for consideration.

Jackson said he spoke with the U.S. attorney's office and was told he wasn't a target of the investigation nor "am I accused of any misconduct."

Federal prosecutors want to know what he knows, Jackson said, adding he would "cooperate fully and completely."