CHICAGO — U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., who has made no public appearances since for several months amid illness and who faces a criminal probe into alleged misuse of public funds, easily won re-election to his Chicago-area district on Tuesday.

Jackson, a Democrat who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995 and who was diagnosed earlier this year with bipolar disorder, won re-election to Illinois' 2nd Congressional district by a landslide, beating his two opponents, Marcus Lewis and Brian Woodworth.

As of 2 a.m. local time Wednesday (3 a.m. ET) and with 99 percent of precincts reporting, Jackson had captured 63 percent of the vote.

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"My deep and sincere thanks to the people of the 2nd Congressional District, I am humbled and moved by the support shown today," Jackson said in a written statement. "Everyday, I think about your needs and concerns. Once the doctors approve my return to work, I will continue to be the progressive fighter you have known for years. My family and I are grateful for your many heartfelt prayers and kind thoughts. I continue to feel better everyday and look forward to serving you."

Jesse Jackson Jr. under federal investigation over alleged financial improprieties

Jackson reportedly spent the night at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

Jackson disappeared from public view before the primary when he left for a treatment center in Arizona in early June. He later moved on to Mayo where he was diagnosed with bipolar depression and gastrointestinal issues.

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In October, federal prosecutors and FBI agents in Washington, D.C., launched a criminal investigation into Jackson involving alleged financial improprieties.

At the same time, a House Ethics Committee continues to look into Jackson's supposed involvement in trying to be appointed to now-President Barack Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate. Jackson has admitted he wanted to be appointed to the Senate, but has repeatedly denied allegations he sent emissaries to offer campaign cash to then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for the seat.

The emissary that he denies sending to negotiate with Blagojevich, Raghuveer Nayak, was arrested on 17 counts of fraud in June.

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By NBC's Peter Alexander and Ronnie Polidoro
Rock Center

The Romney brothers could soon become America’s first sons.  Ranging in age from 31 to 42, their names are Craig, Ben, Josh, Matt, and Tagg – but you may have seen them spoofed on Saturday Night Live as Taggart, Tanner, Tigit, Targalac, and Tic-Tac.   Which one of them is the biggest mama’s boy?  NBC’s Peter Alexander found out during an interview for an upcoming Rock Center story airing Thursday, July 19 at 10pm/9c.

Just like any group of brothers, they like to pick on each other, even during their first sit-down interview of the 2012 campaign.  They say Josh, the middle son, is the mama’s boy.

“Thanks guys. Let’s take it easy here,” replied Josh, one of three Romney sons who works in real estate.  Another son is a doctor.  The eldest runs a private equity firm like their father once did.    

They are all married and have a combined total of 18 children.  If Romney wins, he’ll have more grandkids than any sitting president in U.S. history.  

The Romney sons grew up in Belmont, Mass., an affluent suburb outside of Boston.  All of the brothers attended the same private school and later the same college, Brigham Young University.  Three of them went on and received their MBA’s from Harvard, just like their father.   

The boys were raised in a Mormon household where Saturdays were devoted to service.  And all five followed their father’s footsteps by going overseas on two-year missions to spread their Mormon beliefs. 

They are campaign veterans, on the trail stumping for their father since he first ran for Senate 18 years ago.  But when it came to Romney’s second run for the White House, four of his five boys didn’t want him to run. 

“I didn’t want him to run again.  I really didn’t,” Matt said, “I thought you know, you gave it your best shot in 2008, you felt like you had to do it, you had to go and give back to the country and you tried, and they didn’t take you, so let’s move on.”    

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Matt and the others eventually came around.  And again the Romney 5 have joined in Mitt Romney’s march to the White House.

 

 

 

Along the way, they have heard about how their father has struggled at times to connect with the public.  The campaign hopes the sons can help explain some of their father’s more idiosyncratic moments, for example, when Romney told an audience, “It just feels good being back in Michigan.  You know, the trees are the right height.”

“He’s a little goofy,” said Tagg, “That’s part of his charm, I think.”

But the biggest criticism is that the wealthy Romney family can’t understand the economic challenges facing the average American family.  The sons insist their family and their father are not out of touch.

“We've obviously been very blessed,” Craig said, “And because of that we feel a responsibility to make sure we can do everything we can to make this country as great as it can be.”

They say they are not put off by the accusations, even within the Republican Party, that their father is aloof and a flip-flopper.  

“His true identity will come out and we know what a great father he is, we know how much he loves the country, we know how much he loves our kids,” Matt said, “It’s not ambition that’s driving him.  It is really a desire to give back.  and this is how he thinks he can give back.  And we agree.”

Editor’s Note: NBC’s Peter Alexander’s full report ‘The Romney 5’ will air Thursday, July 19 at 10pm/9c on NBC’s Rock Center with Brian Williams.

Updated at 3:38 p.m. ET: WASHINGTON -- Speaking at a hallowed site for fallen warriors on Memorial Day, President Barack Obama hailed the winding down of two wars, adding that the country needs to honor its returning veterans as well as those friends and family for whom trips to military graves are a bittersweet routine. 

"These 600 acres are home to Americans from every part of the country who gave their lives in every part of the globe," the president said at Arlington National Cemetery, after taking part in the traditional laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

“Whenever revolution needed to be waged and a union needed to be saved, they left their homes and took up arms for the sake of an idea," Obama said. “They rest here together side by side, row by row, because each of them loved this country and everything it stands for, more than life itself."

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The president added that it is his obligation and that of all commanders in chief to send soldiers into harm’s way only with a clear mission.

Addressing families of the fallen at the cemetery’s amphitheater, the president said, “After a decade under the dark cloud of war, we can see the light of a new day on the horizon,” a line he has used recently to tout the end of combat missions in Iraq and a gradual drawdown in Afghanistan.

But, he continued, “especially for those who lost a loved one, this chapter will remain open long after the guns have fallen silent.”

He said that Americans should remember the individual stories of heroes who reflect the collective experience and sacrifice of the armed forces.

“One thing we can do is remember these heroes as you remember them: not just as a rank or a number or a name on a headstone, but as Americans, often far too young, who are guided by a deep and abiding love for their families, for each other and for this country,” the president said.

He recalled an Air Force pilot who met his wife on an aircraft carrier, an accountant who joined the military to do something “more meaningful with his life,” and a young man who just days before he was killed in action told his father how formidable his fellow Marines were.

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The president said that to honor these soldiers and their loved ones “who carry a special weight” on their hearts, America can “strive to be a nation worthy of your sacrifice; a nation that is fair and equal, peaceful and free.” 

He suggested that part of that goal is the responsible deployment of troops only when necessary, which he said he takes to heart.

“As Commander in Chief, I can tell you that sending our troops into harm's way is the most wrenching decision that I have to make. I can promise you I will never do so unless it's absolutely necessary,” he said.

“And that when we do, we must give our troops a clear mission and the full support of a grateful nation,” he continued.

'Serving your country with valor'
Later Monday, the president commemorated the 50^th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War with a visit to that conflict’s memorial on the National Mall.

More than 2,000 Vietnam veterans and family members of soldiers who died were invited to Monday's ceremony marking the beginning of a 13-year program to honor those who served in the Vietnam War and educate later generations about the war.

Standing in front of the veterans and families in the sweltering heat, Obama said that the ungrateful reception given to many returning Vietnam veterans was a “national shame, a disgrace that should have never happened.”

“You were often blamed for a war you didn't start when you should have been commended for serving your country with valor,” he said.

 He cited some of the policies his administration is pursuing, including disability benefits, more job opportunities and increased mental health resources as steps the country can take to ensure veterans are always given the respect and appreciation they deserve.

 “Let's resolve to take care of our veterans as well as they've taken care of us. Not just talk but action. Not just in the first five years after a war but the first five decades,” he said.

After he spoke, the president laid a wreath at the memorial along with Rose Marie Sabo-Brown, the widow of Army Specialist Leslie Sabo, who recently received the Medal of Honor for his valor during the Vietnam War.

Military aircraft flew overhead as Obama walked back from laying the wreath, holding Sabo-Brown’s hand, and the ceremony came to a close.

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