http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenThu, 30 Oct 2008 02:55:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185261<p>A couple thoughts.</p><p>First, Rod will probably talk publicly about placing Tammy Duckworth in the open Senate seat, but its highly likely that Obama would ask Duckworth to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs in his administration. She has generally done a good job leading the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and could do the fedeal job. Plus, as a wounded vet who has been through the system recently, she has a valuable perspective on the Department. In terms of her political credentials, she was well received at the Democratic convention, when the Obama campaign gave her podium time and put her speech in prime time, and Durbin and Emmanuel got to know and like her during her 2006 Congressional race.</p><p>Second, to borrow a baseball phrase, watch for the double-switch in Rod's appointment to the vacant Senate seat. For example, if Rod appoints Lisa to the Senate (which she may or may not take), then he can also appoint Jay Hoffman to the then vacant IL AG position, which gives Rod what he really needs: a friendly chief law enforcement official, who will back Rod up in his fights with the Speaker and who might give a little peek into the criminal investigation into the Governor's Office. Now that Rod's visions of the White House have gone, Rod could care less about what happens in DC. Now the focus is on IL, and if sending someone to DC opens up a spot that helps Rod here in IL, then he'll ring up the dugout phone and call for the double switch. (In case you're thinking Rod might appoint Pat Quinn to the Senate and then appoint Jay Hoffman to the open Lt Gov seat - thus ensuring a friend to pardon Rod for any state law offenses and/or to make sure records and documents in the Gov office stay in the Gov office (and not in the U.S. Attorney's Office) if Rod leaves - the IL Constitution states the Lt Gov osition remains open if vacated, with the SOS serving as Gov in case of a Gov vacancy.)</p>Scott Fawell's CellmateThu, 30 Oct 2008 02:55:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185260<p>I've taken off the tinfoil hat, and discovered it's great for baking fish sticks. I especially feel like a rube since I know all this stuff. Type without thinking ... yikes.</p><p>Oh, well, I deserved it.</p>Snidely WhiplashThu, 30 Oct 2008 00:12:32 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185259<p>If he just wants a seat warmer until the next election, Emil Jones would do. If he wants someone who can run for the seat and win, I'd say Jesse Jr.</p>BookwormWed, 29 Oct 2008 23:04:46 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185258<p>“We have decided to make it an <b>American Idol</b> style competition."</p><p>Unfortunate suggestion, given the connection in that other story of parolees on the loose - courtesy of the Governor, and the Jennifer Hudson tragedy...</p>Frank SobotkaWed, 29 Oct 2008 22:53:35 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185257<p>Has anyone mentioned Blair Hull yet? The man spent close to $30 million on his campaign. If Rod gives him a third of a term, wouldn't that be worth $10 million?</p><p>That would certainly help Rod the most.</p>47th WardWed, 29 Oct 2008 22:07:34 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185256<p>Both Rich and Bill have studied their history and make great points.</p><p>Per Rich, the Senate is the final arbiter of who they seat. They do not have to act on an appointment. Even further, under the Rules of the Senate, a gubernatorial appointment has to be signed by both the governor AND the secretary of state. Hello, Jesse White.</p><p>Per Bill, Huey Long was elected Senator while he was still governor of Louisiana. Because he hated his louey governor, he waited two years until he got his own guy elected governor before he took the oath for the Senate.</p>wordslingerWed, 29 Oct 2008 20:00:00 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185255<p>Plus, recommending getting rid of Fitz would be so like the Bush Justice Department. And I assume the prevailing thought process for the next four years, no matter who wins, will be: what would Bush do? and then do the opposite.</p>Michelle FlahertyWed, 29 Oct 2008 18:54:19 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185254<p>I'll go with the plurality and suggest either Jesse Junior or Schakowsky. The only base Blago has left seems to be on the South Side (he's like Clinton in his proclivity for appearing at black churches on weekends when scandal breaks). Blago might want to shore up this base by appointing JJJ. In a horse race primary against a number of white candidates, that may be all he needs.</p><p>Blago would want access to Schakowsky's fund raising prowess as a quid pro quo for an appointment, and he's just careless enough to suggest it. I have no idea whether she's careless enough to go along.</p>QuizzicalWed, 29 Oct 2008 18:53:00 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185253<p>===I don’t see any way Obama’s replacement would get the job without agreeing to recommend someone other than Fitz for the US Attorney’s job.===</p><p>The senior, not junior, Senator has that job. The new person would have no role.</p><p>When people get their tinfoil hats on, it's tough for any actual information to penetrate.</p>Rich MillerWed, 29 Oct 2008 18:27:47 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185252<p>Snidely - I don't see the replacement having any say so in the recommendation. At the most, Obama will rely on a recommendation from Durbin. And he will walk very, very carefully on that thin ice of recommending getting rid of Fitz.</p>Been ThereWed, 29 Oct 2008 18:25:11 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185251<p>It won't be Lisa. All politics is local, and the guv's mansion is the prize. It might behoove Blago from one standpoint to appoint her, but I doubt she'd accept it for that reason.</p><p>I don't see any way Obama's replacement would get the job without agreeing to recommend someone other than Fitz for the US Attorney's job. As a matter of fact, I'll go out on a limb and flat-out predict that he's gone if Obama wins.</p><p>I hope I'm wrong, and I'd be happy to eat a heaping helping of crow if I am.</p>Snidely WhiplashWed, 29 Oct 2008 18:12:41 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185250<p>It'll be the first person to write a $25,000 check.</p>S. IllinoisWed, 29 Oct 2008 17:54:36 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185249<p>James Claiborne. He's black and somewhat a neutral choice.</p><p>Jay Hoffman. You gotta reward his loyalty somehow!</p>BIG R.PH.Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:45:57 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185248<p>Send me....I've seen it all before!</p>Joe the Unlicensed, Tax DelinqWed, 29 Oct 2008 17:14:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185247<p>Blago to the Senate helps Blago the most. Then when he has to run again he will face a Republican who will finally win back the seat for the R's (a la' Mosley-Braun vs Fitzgerald).</p>RealityWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:59:11 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185246<p>Two of my favorite political commentators, Rich and Paul Green.<br>I'd say Lisa Madigan because Blagoevich is just delusional enough to think he can win re-elction. But he would help himself with his so-far loyal African American voters if he did appoint an African American.</p>James the IntolerantWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:57:53 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185245<p>Carnac makes a good point: Blagojevich might find some benefit in appointing Miguel DelValle.</p><p>The former State Senator has the brains, he's a good campaigner, and he's got a reputation as a reformer who's led on education and health care.</p>Yellow Dog DemocratWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:54:40 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185244<p>I'd watch Senate Idol...</p><p>I would even try out I figure I would make it at least to the goofball show...</p>OneManWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:53:29 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185243<p>Hey - He might appoint a Republican just to tweak his own party's detractors! Somebody moderate who has not been in his face!</p>LegaleagleWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:46:14 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185242<p><i>Is Bradley Tusk old enough to meet the minimum age requirement?</i></p><p>Doubt if he would take the pay cut from Wall Street...ummm, never mind.</p>Six Degrees of SeparationWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:43:50 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185241<p>I believe I heard from Fitzgerald himself as a matter of courtesy all fed prosecutors submitt their resignation when there is a new commander in chief. Now I could have dreamnt that, but I don't think so. I can't help but long for the day when the race and sex of an individual is not what "qualifies" them or makes them desirable. I find myself a little ill reading all these comments.</p>leighWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:42:55 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185240<p>Ron Gidwitz would be a good pick for Blagojevich, if he didn't think <b>he</b> could pass a Senate vote. But I think Blagojevich <i>could</i> pass and be seated. Unless Reid wanted to make Blagojevich some kind of poster child for a new day of Democratic rule, Blagojevich would be hushed into a Senate seat.</p><p>Ron Gidwitz is the kind of pick Blagojevich likes to make. Ron has enough credibility of bipartisanship to tap into a new voter base for Rod, and it would give all his enemies fits over the sheer nerve of Blagojevich to name him instead of one of them.</p><p>Blagojevich doesn't like to be led. He isn't going to placate his own party because it can't stand him. So he would select Ron Gidwitz out of spite and hope.</p>VanillaManWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:38:58 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185239<p>In terms of re-election, picking William Daley may help Rod the most. That pick might help smooth over some tensions between Rod and Mayor Daley and help him keep the Chicago base behind him in a crowded primary. Also, putting Daley in D.C. eliminates a potential gubernatorial challenger with unknown strength.</p>SpringfieldDemWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:26:29 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185238<p>===a well timed indictment and this question is moot. ===</p><p>Only if he's convicted or impeached and removed from office by Jan. 20th. Highly improbable outcomes.</p>Rich MillerWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:21:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/10/29/question-of-the-day-631/#comment-18185237<p>Is Bradley Tusk old enough to meet the minimum age requirement?</p>Been ThereWed, 29 Oct 2008 16:19:01 -0000