“They shared with me that I am not a target of the investigation and that I am not accused of any misconduct,” said Jackson, who left the crowded session without taking questions.

U.S. attorney’s spokesman Randall Samborn would not confirm or deny Jackson’s assertions.

Jackson’s Chicago-based lawyer, James D. Montgomery Sr., said, “Politicians and fundraisers do some very strange things from time to time. I wouldn’t put it past someone to be purporting to represent Jesse without authority.”

Jackson Jr. may well have been told that he is not currently being investigated, although the early theories of TV’s talking heads that perhaps the-then mysterious “Candidate Five” was working with the federal government in a sting operation are proving to be as needlessly elaborate as a Gondorff set-up.  Given that, at this time, it appears only Blagojevich was targeted in the investigation and that the Governor’s quest for ill-gotten political booty was bitten in the end, solid evidence that Jackson Jr. actually agreed to pay half a million dollars for a like-new Senate seat may come up wanting.  But as Fitzgerald repeatedly reminded the press, the charges against Blagojevich were part of a federal complaint – not an indictment, meaning more investigative work may be coming. 

Short of an indictment and successful prosecution, Jackson Jr. looks to be firmly ensconced in Illinois’ 2nd congressional district – a district over 60% African-American that votes reliably Democrat.   But if Jackson Jr. still harbors any hope of Obama’s Senate seat or any other higher office, he’ll need to spin this latest Illinois political melodrama more than a dreidel-filled centrifuge.  Indeed, the entire Illinois Democratic political machine may need to do the same in order to keep this seat from switching sides.

What several days ago looked like a coming regicide among the state’s lesser Democrat dukes and duchesses to curry favor with Blagojevich looks now to be settled by an equally bloody primary special election sometime in the next year.  A strong candidacy by either Rep. Mark Kirk or the last governor to leave the mansion unindicted,  Jim Edgar, might have a chance in a special election, especially if Patrick Fitzgerald continues to crawl down the rabbit hole that is Chicago’s politics.