Iowa = Illinois

In Iowa yesterday, Obama said he thinks he may have an advantage in Iowa: the fact that he lives next door.

"I feel like I'm home," Obama told the Associated Press. "Illinois is basically Iowa, and then we have Chicago."

Plenty of coastal residents lump all the Midwest provinces together, as "those square states" one flies over on the way from one shore to another. But it's unusual to hear folks from the Heartland do it themselves.

I doubt people in Iowa are going to like the comment that it's basically the same as Illinois. And people in Illinois but not in Chicago continously complained they're forgotten to Chicago.

Campaign Endorsement

Jesse Jackson formally announced today who he's endorsing for president- Barack Obama. This comes as no surprise, as he's known for his liberal views, his son is a Chicago politican and he has long been a supporter of black rights. If it were anyone else, then I would've been surprised.

Jackson sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, winning 13 primaries and caucuses in 1988. His son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois, has already endorsed Obama.

Jackson represents a different era of black politician, battle-tested by the civil rights struggles of the 1960s with Martin Luther King Jr.

In a statement responding to Jackson's support, Obama said, "This campaign has been about giving hope since Day One and I am proud to have the support of my friend Jesse Jackson. It is because people like Jesse ran that I have this opportunity to run for president today."