CapitolFax.com: This just in… Tribune Company subpoenaed *** Schakowsky tosses hat in ring *** Roskam interested *** Radogno wants special election *** Franks files bill to strip appointment powers *** Lis...
OneMan
· 1 year ago
Anyone the timing of the bankrupcy had anything to do with this?
Mum's the Word
· 1 year ago
Since the "administration" has historically seen fit not to release any subpeona recieved by state agencies either; how do we know that the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, or the Illinois Finance Authority have not also been subpeona'ed as well?
Vote Quimby!
· 1 year ago
Is this news? The subpeonas are at least a week old...I guess the disclosure of them is. How about Zell dissing his own company?
no special election
· 1 year ago
Not a fan of Roskam OR Schakowsky. I say no special election, please. Why waste more money?? And then we'll need MORE special elections to fill their slots? This is getting ridiculous... No special election. Let Quinn pick.
Carl Nyberg
· 1 year ago
I've got more warmth in my heart for Johnson than Kirk or Roskam.
But, if you don't have to give up a seat to run, why not try?
Both Kirk and Roskam are vulnerable to having their districts redrawn as Dem districts, so they've got to figure what they are going to do with their lives starting in 2013 anyways.
Anonymous
· 1 year ago
This has quickly (surprise?) become totally partisan. Republicans smell blood in the water and an opportunity, so they are all calling for a special election. The RNC talking point memo must have already hit the faxes. Radogno has probably had more conversations with Blagojevich in the past year than Quinn, so for her to try to lump the two together as "this corrupt Administration" is not a good sign for "post-partisanship" in Springfield.
Luis
· 1 year ago
How can Schakowsky run?
Her husband, Robert Craemer, just did prison time for Federal Fraud.
Is Jan that arrogant to think that Illinois voters will not know this after this scandal of Blago?
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
I like Jan the best of those choices. I say a special election. Why not coordinate special elections with municipal primaries, 5th CD special and perhaps we'll have JJJ's seat open too. That way we could at least consolidate some of the expense. Is Quinn going to live in Springfield. If so, we could make up the cost from the State plane expenses that will dramatically decrease.
It's 5 O'clock somewhere
· 1 year ago
Rewrite the law to not allow any appointment, all vacancies (except death) must be filled by election, this will stop the dynasties, and the pay to play
Luis
· 1 year ago
5 0'clock well said.
Schakowsky along with Treasurer Alexi are non starters due to tainted backgrounds.
They would give the GOP too much ammunition in a Special election with a DEM Scandal still brewing.
They need someone clean like Jesse White.
Louis G. Atsaves
· 1 year ago
No one can be appointed right now without being tainted. That includes any Quinn appointment. Whether the "players" and wheeler/dealers like it or not, a special election under these most unusual times is the only way to go.
But we all need to demand full disclosure on any candidate running for a special election. Who approached the governor about being appointed? Who raised funds for the governor? Who raised funds for the governor this calendar year? Who raised funds for the governor after Obama was nominated at the convention to be the Democratic candidate for president? Who volunteered to raise funds for this governor during these time frames.
And then let the voters connect these (suspicious) dots.
True reform would eliminate any "players" from consideration during a special election or special election primary.
Truth
· 1 year ago
Let's see, let Quinn pick or let the people pick? I am not sure I want Quinn to pick, but I saw who the people picked for Governor. Just put Bill in there and be done with it.
OneMan
· 1 year ago
What happens if someone goes to court and successfully argues that you cant change the rules on how a vacancy is filled after the vacancy occours?
Randolph
· 1 year ago
Lisa Madigan just said on CNN that the legislature is "likely to consider" impeachment next week.
Conservative Republican
· 1 year ago
=How can Schakowsky run?
Her husband, Robert Craemer, just did prison time for Federal Fraud.
Is Jan that arrogant to think that Illinois voters will not know this after this scandal of Blago? =
And wasn't Schakowsky one of the additional supplicants to Blago angling for the Senate appointment? Are we sure that her "lobbying group" wasn't also in the mix to purchase favor from the Governor? Having a convicted spouse is ground for consider this...
Ron Burgundy
· 1 year ago
I agree with the above comments. Schakowsky is delusional if she thinks she would win a contested primary with some of the other more high profile contenders. I also don't think her particular brand of liberalism would play well south of I-80, and the fact that her husband spent time in the graybar hotel would seriously harm her in an election about corruption when the electorate is looking for someone with integrity and untouched by scandal. I also question her ability to raise the kind of money she would need in short order, and she also hasn't had any real competition in a long time.
The Fox
· 1 year ago
Jan Schakowski better thank Marge Benton and NOW for being where she instead of doing a Blagojevich dream scheme. She's lucky she dodged an indictment as a director of the outfit her husband ran to scam innocent elders.
Anon from BB
· 1 year ago
From a recently updated AP story:
"Blagojevich, meanwhile, returned for a second day to his Chicago office and was in an "upbeat, positive" mood, spokesman Lucio Guerrero said.
"There's a sense of trying to return to normalcy," he said, adding that he doesn't know whether Blagojevich will step down. "That's something that obviously he'll decide on his own."
Unbelievable.
True Observer
· 1 year ago
How come no subpoenas for the Sun Times.
The Sun Times did show Blago "appreciation" by publishing the "leaks" he wanted published.
Ron Burgundy
· 1 year ago
Well he didn't get arrested again, so by those new standards, this is an "up day."
True Observer
· 1 year ago
Fearless Prediction:
The Legislature meets.
The Legislature makes noise.
Nothing happens. No impeachment, no special election.
Everyone waits for things to blow over.
Eventually, Reid yells uncle because he needs the vote and the machine and Blago agree on a suitable name. Someone answerable to the machine but clean on the outside. Not unlike the deceased and much adored Gov. Adlai Stevenson who was twice put up as a candidate for President.
618er
· 1 year ago
Huh apparently it does take a rocket scientist to make things happen in Illinois politics.....
Rob_N
· 1 year ago
If a special election is held ... the legislation could be delayed past the February primaries if Blago neither resigns nor is impeached before then (he could just sit on the bill).
Plus, many municipalities don't have a primary so the "burden" of a statewide election in Feb would be nearly as bad as the tens of millions bandied about for a stand-alone special election.
April 7 might be a decent option ... if a special is to be held. Plus it gives candidates some time to meet voters.
FYI, to those pols and pundits complaining 4 months isn't enough time: Many, many states have their primaries in late summer/early fall which only leaves a few months/weeks ahead of the general elections. Short scheduling is routine around the country and works fine in those states that have it.
Mr. Ethics
· 1 year ago
How about the guy we all know has intergrity? The seat should go to Mr. Hynes. I know Bill will disagree, but thats the best pick.
Slick
· 1 year ago
OUCH!!!! said Blago
Rich Miller
· 1 year ago
===the “burden†of a statewide election in Feb===
What if he waits until after the Feb municipal primary (or right before) to sign the bill? He has 60 days from when it officially reaches his desk.
Huge can of worms. Huge.
Rob_N
· 1 year ago
PS - This may be a rare occasion where I agree with Bambenek on something. If the law allows such a petition to be heard, more power to him.
...2016 Presidential Candidate Rod Blagojevich is clearly a uniter, not a divider. ;)
Oberon
· 1 year ago
If Bambanek et al follow through with a Motion under Rule 382, we'll see what kind of response and participation in this controversy we can expect from our esteemed Supremes....I don't see that claiming Lisa has a conflict of interest has to do with anything the Court could consider, though. You shouldn't have to explain why anybody else has NOT filed the motion.
cousin ralph
· 1 year ago
True Observer--bingo!
"low level paper pusher"
· 1 year ago
True Observer: If MJM and others are "waiting for things to blow over", there will a be political cost, for him, the AG and the Democratic Party. Nothing happening is not an option.
This may belong on another thread, but perhaps another reason MJM is not in a hurry (besides letting the A.G. take the lead on removal with the Supreme Court and boosting her image further) is that he likes a weak Governor, even in normal times. Who could be weaker now than Rod? With Cullerton coming into the Senate, someone he has worked well with over the years, the two of them could very well govern the state by passing bills, letting Rod veto, and overriding the vetos at will. Who in the world would vote to sustain any more vetos by the Governor? No one.
This also keeps Quinn out of the Governor's office for as long as possible and prevents him from accumulating chits and funds for a run himself in 2010.
its going to be facinating to see how MJM plays this one. For once, he seems to be in a bind. Wait and risk a lot of political damage. Begin impeachment proceedings immediately, get the trial to the Senate, and Quinn becomes Governor and can start to accumulate all the advantages of incumbancy sooner rather than later.
There may not be any good way for the MJM team, politically, to manage this one. What a mess.
Esteban
· 1 year ago
"Oy" to all of this....I'm seriously considering moving to Wisconsin.
walter sobchak
· 1 year ago
Can someone identify the public relations agency that is pushing Jan Schakowsky's candidacy? Or is she doing this herself? As many of noted before me, outside of her fevered imagination, is there anybody who considers her a candidate for anything outside of her rather specialized district?
Shelbyville
· 1 year ago
Don't forget Dawn Clark Netsch's words that the constitution cannot be ammended to allow a special election for a seat that is already open.
If a lawsuit would develop, wouldn't the AG have to represent the state?
The Doc
· 1 year ago
When county presidents/executives and other relevant pols are made aware of the costs of a special election, they'll collectively scream bloody murder. And then have cover for raising taxes or fees or fines or whatever.
Think about how Daley reacted with regards to Obama's Grant Park celebration, which ultimately cost less than $2 million.
Keep it simple and in line with the constitution. Impeachment, conviction, appointment. Fritchey et al may be forcing MJM's hand, as they should. Allow LM's pared-down staff to focus on other obligations.
I'm campaign weary as it is, and would prefer the likes of Kirk, Roskam, Davis, Schakowsky, J3, and the other sycophants to focus on their jobs, not stumping for an open sentorial seat. Enough is enough.
True Observer
· 1 year ago
"True Observer: If MJM and others are “waiting for things to blow overâ€, there will a be political cost, for him, the AG and the Democratic Party. Nothing happening is not an option."
1. By tomorrow the bag of bones found in Florida is going to overwhelm any other story.
2. What political cost to MJM? Chances of most of the major players losing re-elction is nil. His only interest is in getting the daughter into the Mansion.
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
Why is everyone (anyone) opposed to having Quinn appointment a Senate replacement?
Bill Baar
· 1 year ago
From an IL GOP Press Release today,
SPRINGFIELD — Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn defended his running mate’s integrity Thursday, saying he saw nothing wrong with the governor’s 7-year-old daughter getting a $1,500 check from a family friend whose wife just got a state job.
“He’s always been a person who’s honest and one of integrity,†said Quinn, appearing at a Capitol news conference. “I have confidence thegovernor does the right thing all the time.â€
Daily Herald, September 16, 2006
How's Quinn select anybody with this kind of Judgement?
They have to have an election.
Anon
· 1 year ago
Jan Schakowsky lives in a fantasy world. Her and her felon husband have had a close relationship with Blagojevich dating back to his dirty campaign for governor in 2002. She deludes herself if she thinks her past will be forgotten.
Bill Baar
· 1 year ago
Jan Schakowsky lives in a fantasy world.
Maybe we should call in the Doc's to evaluate her fitness?
This 382 business is appalling. Illinois elected him. It's the House and Senate's job to deal with him. Not a Judge playing Doc.
wordslinger
· 1 year ago
Jan for Senate? Please.
It used to be, if a newspaper, no matter the political viewpoint, got a subpoena from the government, they'd fight to the death on 1st Amendment grounds.
Sam Zell is a different kind of newspaperman, isn't he? It's appropriate he's the face of the death of print.
Carl Nyberg
· 1 year ago
Why is everyone (anyone) opposed to having Quinn appointment a Senate replacement? --Cheswick
Who is opposed to Quinn appointing the U.S. Senator besides Dick Durbin, Lisa Madigan and Mike Madigan?
Now ask yourself why these three are opposed.
Rob_N
· 1 year ago
Rich,
By "burden" there I meant cost. But you are correct that Feb also presents logistical problems on the front-end as well, which is why I think Feb's a bad date to aim for.
Essentially...
If Blago is still in office in 2009...
And if Blago has successfully stymied any potential 95th GA legislation stripping him of his appt powers and setting a special election (we are less than 60 days before the start of the next Assembly)...
The 96th GA can pass the same or similar bill beginning Jan 14.
Say both chambers have voted on it by the 15th or 16th and it's passed on to Blago... He can sit on it for 60 days before vetoing at the last minute (assuming he's not impeached by then), which would mean the GA can't begin an override til mid-March, just two or three weeks before the April 7 elections.
BUT, even if that scenario played out candidates could still be running for an April 7 date despite the special election being only theoretical because of the pratfalls.
If he's not impeached quickly I'd imagine such a bill would pass both chambers by well more than supermajorities, if not unanimously, so I'm assuming any veto could be overridden.
--
Fun with minutiae ... What happens to bills that are passed but a sitting governor sits on them and that governor is impeached in the meantime? Can the new gov sign such bills? I would think it's the office, not the person, that has the power but this is rather new territory.
Either way, Quinn's governor before the end of the session or Madigan and "the new guy" will have a revolt on their hands.
Conservative Republican
· 1 year ago
=Fearless Prediction:
The Legislature meets.
The Legislature makes noise.
Nothing happens. No impeachment, no special election.
Everyone waits for things to blow over.
Eventually, Reid yells uncle because he needs the vote and the machine and Blago agree on a suitable name. Someone answerable to the machine but clean on the outside. Not unlike the deceased and much adored Gov. Adlai Stevenson who was twice put up as a candidate for President. =
Boy does this make sense. Everyone who says Blago is crazy just don't get it. Hanging on to the paycheck and the taxpayer funded security while he can is the last chit he has to play. And it could pay out the way TO describes it above. Could appeal to all the Combine Dems who believe that with time they could keep their gameplan together, with a sacrifice by Blago in the end, and get it past the yokels - meaning us regular citizens.
IlValleyGal
· 1 year ago
I haven't read all the comments but someone I trust says it will be U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth as appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn since she believes there is something in the IL constitution that says this must be made by Jan. 14.
Zell is no newspaperman. He's a slumlord that probably sold your grandma.
HotRod has until Monday to fold otherwise Lisa Madigan will bring article 382 since we are running out of time. That's what I've been told.
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
Bill Baar, I remember when that happened. I'm sure when Quinn said that he was speaking of a constitutional officer, someone who took the oath of office of governor of Illinois, who said it was a birthday gift and nothing else. What are you going to do? A lot of people on this blog and elsewhere were up in arms over it. If I recall right, that's one of the things the government investigated. But then nothing happened.
What else?
True Observer
· 1 year ago
A bill can't become law until its signed by the governor or there is a veto override.
How can the ISBE schedule elections when there is no law in effect?
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
Well put, Carl Nyberg. That's what I was thinking too. As a citizen of Illinois, and a Democrat, I must this whole state really stinks.
Big Mama T
· 1 year ago
If Rule 382 can get him shoved aside the quickest, why is it so undesirable? It's not like we would be telling the world our governor is unfit. The Guv is crazier than a second grade class room with a substitute teacher. Gong the Bozo.
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
Big Mama T, Not sure, but no one can know in advance with the Illinois Supremes will do? Also, any ruling made by the Illinois Supreme Court can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court? I don't know.
Bill Baar
· 1 year ago
Bill Baar, I remember when that happened. I’m sure when Quinn said that he was speaking of a constitutional officer, someone who took the oath of office of governor of Illinois, who said it was a birthday gift and nothing else. What are you going to do?
The Gov: return the gift.
Quinn: not go out on a limb with a dumb statement.
Now, as a 12th street bar room psychologist, I can tell you the guy with the less lips has fewer marbles than the guy who deposited the check into his kids college fund.
Quinn really needs to put a lid on his medical practice.
Bill Baar
· 1 year ago
lose lips, not less lips...
Cheswick
· 1 year ago
== Don’t forget Dawn Clark Netsch’s words that the constitution cannot be ammended to allow a special election for a seat that is already open. ==
I don't know that that is actually true. It's not like changing a tort law in order to accommodate someone's lawsuit (as an example). That couldn't happen. Or shouldn't.
But this is procedural. Don't we change laws all the time to make way for new procedures due to snags things that were previously unknown when the event happened? I think we do.
wordslinger
· 1 year ago
BB, loose lips? I still have no idea what it means, but I like it.
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
Jan would be a great leader. Yes, she has a rather large skeleton in her closet. Name an elected official that doesn't. However, its her husband, not her. AND he's done his time. Isn't prison supposed to be for rehabilitation. AND it was awful what he did...he kited checks. Nobody got killed did they? Jan is admired by her large and influential constituency. I think she could make a good run at it. As far as the Dawn Clark Netsch deal, Chicago could just secede from the union and become its own country. We could create our own constitution, lower sales taxes, take back our meters and casinos, get rid of state and property taxes, pay a 25% flat tax that covers Federal and local and not have to deal with the downstaters. Crazy I know, but so is our Governor!
Gabriel
· 1 year ago
==Don’t we change laws all the time to make way for new procedures due to snags things that were previously unknown when the event happened? I think we do.==
Sure. But do those amended laws have a retroactive appeal to them?
Could you raise the income tax today and collect it for 2007 returns?
Netsch has a really good point here.
Almost all the options sound either bad, long, or costly. Who knew that Rod could make this all happen as an elected official and as a disgraced one.
Big Mama T
· 1 year ago
Cheswick - The ironic thing is that an Illinois Supreme has to preside over the impeachment of a governor when it goes to the senate. I guess we will all be guessing what may happen. Nice mess were in.
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
It's kinda funny that after 6 years of Rod not doing anything; by doing nothing he's causing a lot to get done. Look, a kitty!
Gabriel
· 1 year ago
==Nobody got killed did they?==
This is probably how we should judge future candidates in Illinois.
"Have you killed anyone? Have you threatened to kill anyone? Do you have any plans to kill anyone?"
Rich Miller
· 1 year ago
If the seat was already filled by an appointment, this idea wouldn't fly. But the vacancy is a vacancy. It's an existing situation, not a past situation. Should be no problem.
However, the guv could sue. Anybody can sue anybody for anything.
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
Gabriel,
As Jon Stewart said last night. 49% of Il Governors over a certain time period have gone to jail. Less than 50% of murderers actually end up in jail. Therefore, you have about as good of a shot going to jail as an IL Guv as you do being a murderer. No wonder Quinn would be thinking about having himself appointed to the Senate.
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
Look, a kitty!
Illinois.Pundit
· 1 year ago
Actually having just watched the Daily Show it was 48% of murderers go to jail, but 50% of IL Governors (4 of the last 8 including Rod), making it more likely to go to jail for being Guv then murdering somebody.
George Tagge
· 1 year ago
I guess we now know the Trib wasn't a whistle blower on this one
That leaves the hospital and Obama transition
BTW did the Trib release the subpoena? That a big media think now isn't it?
BTW-2 GRod at the JRTC two days in a row is a world record BTW-3 Any slick Willie Quinlan sitings?
Big Mama T
· 1 year ago
A poll taken since Blagojevich's arrest shows 73 percent of those surveyed support impeachment, and 70 percent think he should resign.
Question. Who are the knuckleheads who think otherwise? No wonder he got re-elected.
Eileen Left
· 1 year ago
So what was Wyma's role in all of this anyway? Did he or didn't he wear a wire and if so when?
earnest
· 1 year ago
1) The Trib newsroom wasn't subpoenaed. Tribune Company was, for corporate records relating to the potential firings and to Wrigley. That's a big difference. There's no 1st Amendment issue here.
2) There was no whistleblower. This is all laid out in the complaint. Wyma turns over, gives probable cause for a) the bug in the campaign office, then b) the wiretap of the governor's house phone. That's the whole story. Once Wyma sings for his supper, all these birds start flying out of the trees to see the commotion, and right into Fitz's net.
SAM
· 1 year ago
Jan Schakowski's husband isn't just a convicted criminal he was a consultant to Daley and Blagojevich. The dems would be fools to choose anyone like Schakowski, who has ties to the Chicago Machine.
what about ...
· 1 year ago
mcneil for senate
earnest
· 1 year ago
George,
I was in too much of a hurry knocking down "who is the whistleblower", so I didn't notice your astute point that the subpoena itself of the Trib could be interesting. Has anyone released it? Presumably it's a public document filed in Federal Court. I'd like to see just what they subpoenaed. That's going to be a very interesting line of inquiry, the IFA connection and all. I'd love to see what was in the subpoena that Fitzgerald was Filan. Er, um, I mean filin'.
All Comments
But, if you don't have to give up a seat to run, why not try?
Both Kirk and Roskam are vulnerable to having their districts redrawn as Dem districts, so they've got to figure what they are going to do with their lives starting in 2013 anyways.
Her husband, Robert Craemer, just did prison time for Federal Fraud.
Is Jan that arrogant to think that Illinois voters will not know this after this scandal of Blago?
Schakowsky along with Treasurer Alexi are non starters due to tainted backgrounds.
They would give the GOP too much ammunition in a Special election with a DEM Scandal still brewing.
They need someone clean like Jesse White.
But we all need to demand full disclosure on any candidate running for a special election. Who approached the governor about being appointed? Who raised funds for the governor? Who raised funds for the governor this calendar year? Who raised funds for the governor after Obama was nominated at the convention to be the Democratic candidate for president? Who volunteered to raise funds for this governor during these time frames.
And then let the voters connect these (suspicious) dots.
True reform would eliminate any "players" from consideration during a special election or special election primary.
Her husband, Robert Craemer, just did prison time for Federal Fraud.
Is Jan that arrogant to think that Illinois voters will not know this after this scandal of Blago? =
And wasn't Schakowsky one of the additional supplicants to Blago angling for the Senate appointment? Are we sure that her "lobbying group" wasn't also in the mix to purchase favor from the Governor? Having a convicted spouse is ground for consider this...
"Blagojevich, meanwhile, returned for a second day to his Chicago office and was in an "upbeat, positive" mood, spokesman Lucio Guerrero said.
"There's a sense of trying to return to normalcy," he said, adding that he doesn't know whether Blagojevich will step down. "That's something that obviously he'll decide on his own."
Unbelievable.
The Sun Times did show Blago "appreciation" by publishing the "leaks" he wanted published.
The Legislature meets.
The Legislature makes noise.
Nothing happens. No impeachment, no special election.
Everyone waits for things to blow over.
Eventually, Reid yells uncle because he needs the vote and the machine and Blago agree on a suitable name. Someone answerable to the machine but clean on the outside. Not unlike the deceased and much adored Gov. Adlai Stevenson who was twice put up as a candidate for President.
Plus, many municipalities don't have a primary so the "burden" of a statewide election in Feb would be nearly as bad as the tens of millions bandied about for a stand-alone special election.
April 7 might be a decent option ... if a special is to be held. Plus it gives candidates some time to meet voters.
FYI, to those pols and pundits complaining 4 months isn't enough time: Many, many states have their primaries in late summer/early fall which only leaves a few months/weeks ahead of the general elections. Short scheduling is routine around the country and works fine in those states that have it.
What if he waits until after the Feb municipal primary (or right before) to sign the bill? He has 60 days from when it officially reaches his desk.
Huge can of worms. Huge.
...2016 Presidential Candidate Rod Blagojevich is clearly a uniter, not a divider. ;)
This may belong on another thread, but perhaps another reason MJM is not in a hurry (besides letting the A.G. take the lead on removal with the Supreme Court and boosting her image further) is that he likes a weak Governor, even in normal times. Who could be weaker now than Rod? With Cullerton coming into the Senate, someone he has worked well with over the years, the two of them could very well govern the state by passing bills, letting Rod veto, and overriding the vetos at will. Who in the world would vote to sustain any more vetos by the Governor? No one.
This also keeps Quinn out of the Governor's office for as long as possible and prevents him from accumulating chits and funds for a run himself in 2010.
its going to be facinating to see how MJM plays this one. For once, he seems to be in a bind. Wait and risk a lot of political damage. Begin impeachment proceedings immediately, get the trial to the Senate, and Quinn becomes Governor and can start to accumulate all the advantages of incumbancy sooner rather than later.
There may not be any good way for the MJM team, politically, to manage this one. What a mess.
moving to Wisconsin.
If a lawsuit would develop, wouldn't the AG have to represent the state?
Think about how Daley reacted with regards to Obama's Grant Park celebration, which ultimately cost less than $2 million.
Keep it simple and in line with the constitution. Impeachment, conviction, appointment. Fritchey et al may be forcing MJM's hand, as they should. Allow LM's pared-down staff to focus on other obligations.
I'm campaign weary as it is, and would prefer the likes of Kirk, Roskam, Davis, Schakowsky, J3, and the other sycophants to focus on their jobs, not stumping for an open sentorial seat. Enough is enough.
1. By tomorrow the bag of bones found in Florida is going to overwhelm any other story.
2. What political cost to MJM? Chances of most of the major players losing re-elction is nil. His only interest is in getting the daughter into the Mansion.
SPRINGFIELD —
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn defended his running mate’s integrity Thursday, saying he saw nothing wrong with the governor’s 7-year-old daughter getting a $1,500 check from a family friend whose wife just got a state job.
“He’s always been a person who’s honest and one of integrity,†said Quinn, appearing at a Capitol news conference. “I have confidence thegovernor does the right thing all the time.â€
Daily Herald, September 16, 2006
How's Quinn select anybody with this kind of Judgement?
They have to have an election.
Maybe we should call in the Doc's to evaluate her fitness?
This 382 business is appalling. Illinois elected him. It's the House and Senate's job to deal with him. Not a Judge playing Doc.
It used to be, if a newspaper, no matter the political viewpoint, got a subpoena from the government, they'd fight to the death on 1st Amendment grounds.
Sam Zell is a different kind of newspaperman, isn't he? It's appropriate he's the face of the death of print.
Who is opposed to Quinn appointing the U.S. Senator besides Dick Durbin, Lisa Madigan and Mike Madigan?
Now ask yourself why these three are opposed.
By "burden" there I meant cost. But you are correct that Feb also presents logistical problems on the front-end as well, which is why I think Feb's a bad date to aim for.
Essentially...
If Blago is still in office in 2009...
And if Blago has successfully stymied any potential 95th GA legislation stripping him of his appt powers and setting a special election (we are less than 60 days before the start of the next Assembly)...
The 96th GA can pass the same or similar bill beginning Jan 14.
Say both chambers have voted on it by the 15th or 16th and it's passed on to Blago... He can sit on it for 60 days before vetoing at the last minute (assuming he's not impeached by then), which would mean the GA can't begin an override til mid-March, just two or three weeks before the April 7 elections.
BUT, even if that scenario played out candidates could still be running for an April 7 date despite the special election being only theoretical because of the pratfalls.
If he's not impeached quickly I'd imagine such a bill would pass both chambers by well more than supermajorities, if not unanimously, so I'm assuming any veto could be overridden.
--
Fun with minutiae ... What happens to bills that are passed but a sitting governor sits on them and that governor is impeached in the meantime? Can the new gov sign such bills? I would think it's the office, not the person, that has the power but this is rather new territory.
Either way, Quinn's governor before the end of the session or Madigan and "the new guy" will have a revolt on their hands.
The Legislature meets.
The Legislature makes noise.
Nothing happens. No impeachment, no special election.
Everyone waits for things to blow over.
Eventually, Reid yells uncle because he needs the vote and the machine and Blago agree on a suitable name. Someone answerable to the machine but clean on the outside. Not unlike the deceased and much adored Gov. Adlai Stevenson who was twice put up as a candidate for President. =
Boy does this make sense. Everyone who says Blago is crazy just don't get it. Hanging on to the paycheck and the taxpayer funded security while he can is the last chit he has to play. And it could pay out the way TO describes it above. Could appeal to all the Combine Dems who believe that with time they could keep their gameplan together, with a sacrifice by Blago in the end, and get it past the yokels - meaning us regular citizens.
Zell is no newspaperman. He's a slumlord that probably sold your grandma.
HotRod has until Monday to fold otherwise Lisa Madigan will bring article 382 since we are running out of time. That's what I've been told.
What else?
How can the ISBE schedule elections when there is no law in effect?
The Gov: return the gift.
Quinn: not go out on a limb with a dumb statement.
Now, as a 12th street bar room psychologist, I can tell you the guy with the less lips has fewer marbles than the guy who deposited the check into his kids college fund.
Quinn really needs to put a lid on his medical practice.
I don't know that that is actually true. It's not like changing a tort law in order to accommodate someone's lawsuit (as an example). That couldn't happen. Or shouldn't.
But this is procedural. Don't we change laws all the time to make way for new procedures due to snags things that were previously unknown when the event happened? I think we do.
Sure. But do those amended laws have a retroactive appeal to them?
Could you raise the income tax today and collect it for 2007 returns?
Netsch has a really good point here.
Almost all the options sound either bad, long, or costly. Who knew that Rod could make this all happen as an elected official and as a disgraced one.
This is probably how we should judge future candidates in Illinois.
"Have you killed anyone? Have you threatened to kill anyone? Do you have any plans to kill anyone?"
However, the guv could sue. Anybody can sue anybody for anything.
As Jon Stewart said last night. 49% of Il Governors over a certain time period have gone to jail. Less than 50% of murderers actually end up in jail. Therefore, you have about as good of a shot going to jail as an IL Guv as you do being a murderer. No wonder Quinn would be thinking about having himself appointed to the Senate.
That leaves the hospital and Obama transition
BTW did the Trib release the subpoena? That a big media think now isn't it?
BTW-2 GRod at the JRTC two days in a row is a world record
BTW-3 Any slick Willie Quinlan sitings?
Question. Who are the knuckleheads who think otherwise? No wonder he got re-elected.
2) There was no whistleblower. This is all laid out in the complaint. Wyma turns over, gives probable cause for a) the bug in the campaign office, then b) the wiretap of the governor's house phone. That's the whole story. Once Wyma sings for his supper, all these birds start flying out of the trees to see the commotion, and right into Fitz's net.
I was in too much of a hurry knocking down "who is the whistleblower", so I didn't notice your astute point that the subpoena itself of the Trib could be interesting. Has anyone released it? Presumably it's a public document filed in Federal Court. I'd like to see just what they subpoenaed. That's going to be a very interesting line of inquiry, the IFA connection and all. I'd love to see what was in the subpoena that Fitzgerald was Filan. Er, um, I mean filin'.