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Group Hug Among Top Illinois Dems at DNC
There was lots of hugging going on Wednesday among top Illinois Democrats in Denver, and that's quite a sight given the tensions between them.

During the Illinois delegation breakfast speeches, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Chicago) gained a hug from his political rival, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. Then he challenged Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to hug. They did.

Everyone insists that it was un-choreographed. "I can tell you my moment was totally by surprise, although I did see it coming," the governor said. "Once Jesse Jr. hugged Mayor Daley and started crying, I turned to Emil and I said, 'Man, he's going to call me up now.' And then I said, 'but I ain't cryin'."

Blagojevich joked that he hopes the hug is a sign of better relations, but it could be just the altitude. Tension between Blagojevich and Madigan has caused unending gridlock at the Illinois Capitol.


(WGIL News Story and Photo by Melissa Hahn, Illinois Radio Network)
08 27 08 by Newsroom
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