Pelosi says Illinois needs Jesse Jackson Jr. on House Appropriations panel

The Chicago Tribune reports:

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi today publicly endorsed Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. in his re-election bid against primary challenger Debbie Halvorson, saying the state needs him as the lone Illinois congressman on the House Appropriations Committee.

The show of support came after Pelosi appeared with the veteran congressman's father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, at Operation PUSH headquarters in the city's Kenwood neighborhood. Pelosi noted more than $940 million in projects have gone to the state's 2nd Congressional District.

"Jesse Jackson Jr. comes from a proud tradition. He came to the Congress and is making his own mark there," said Pelosi, D-Calif.

"He deserves re-election and we're all going to do everything we can to make sure that happens — for many reasons. Personal, that is to say, his own personal leadership. Committee-wise, you wouldn't want to give up a committee position … that serves this community, this entire state, so well," she said.

An "ethical cloud" of buying a U.S. Senate doesn't bother Nancy Pelosi one iota . It's all about the ends justifying to means.