Posted on 12/09/2008 11:18:45 AM PST by jazusamo
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Tuesday called for a special Illinois election to fill President-elect Obama’s Senate seat, instead of leaving it to arrested Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Calling it “a sad day for my state,” Durbin said Blagojevich deserves his day in court and that he was “shocked” at the Democratic governor’s arrest on charges of trying to corral influence for naming Obama’s successor.
A former state legislator, Durbin said he spoke to a former colleague in the Illinois legislature early Tuesday to suggest a special election instead of any gubernatorial appointment.
“If the allegations are proven true, he has clearly abused the public trust,” Durbin said of Blagojevich. “I think the Illinois legislature should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama. No appointment by this governor under these circumstances can produce a credible replacement.”
The Blagojevich case throws a wrench into Democratic efforts to reach closer to 60 seats in the chamber. If the seat stays vacant for months, or if an appointment is made under questionable circumstances, the party could find itself short on critical votes next year just when it most needs traction.
Durbin hedged when asked if Blagojevich should resign, calling a resignation “a presumption of guilt ... I really can’t take it to that level, in fairness.”
A special election is the only possible choice for filling Obama’s seat, Durbin said, noting that Blagojevich will likely fight the charges and the case could linger for months or more. There is also the possibility of a removal effort of Blagojevich by the Illinois legislature, he said.
“The alternative of a vacancy or a tainted appointment — those alternatives are not acceptable,” Durbin said.
Durbin said he was told the Legislature was “looking into” the possibility of a special election. One option would be to combine a special election with the special election being held for Rep. Rahm Emanuel’s seat. Emanuel is the incoming White House chief of staff.
The majority whip said he has not spoken with President-elect Obama by early afternoon Tuesday about the Blagojevich arrest, and that he last spoke to Blagojevich himself two weeks ago.
Durbin said he and Blagojevich were not friends, and had a cordial but cold relationship with a lot of communication gaps. When Durbin was first elected to the Senate, he said Blagojevich never returned his call. Last month, when Durbin called Blagojevich to discuss filling the vacancy, he said the governor took 12 days to return the call.
“We certainly don’t enjoy a close relationship,” Durbin said. “I found him to be a difficult man to communicate with.”
Durbin said he recalled nothing unusual in his conversation with Blagojevich about filling Obama’s seat, and that the governor never raised the idea of a position in the incoming administration. Instead, Durbin said he and the governor discussed 20 names.
“I asked him to do two things. First, don’t appoint a caretaker. Send a senator who will serve and run for election. Second, do it as quickly as possible so we could have a seniority advantage,” Durbin said.
Durbin also defended his state from reporters who asked if the Blagojevich arrest adds another example to Illinois’ history of political corruption.
“The overwhelming majority of politicians in Illinois and outside are honest, hardworking people in both political parties,” he said. “There will always be exceptions in both political parties who when given the opportunity to use political power, misuse it.”
When asked if the Blagojevich arrest could cast a pall over the start of the Obama administration, Durbin denied it would be a distraction.
“I don’t think that any association with the president-elect and the governor of Illinois could possibly raise that suggestion,” he said. “We all have varying levels of cooperation with the governor. Mine was extremely limited, and I believe President-elect Obama would say the same.”
If Blagojevich does choose a replacement, Durbin said he was not sure how the Senate would react.
“I think it would be unfair to assume what would happen,” he said. “I guess there is a conceivable way that he could choose a consensus someone to fill the Senate seat, but I think the odds are against it. And that’s why I think it’s better to let the people of the state speak and choose a person who would represent them at this critical moment in our nation’s history.”
Durbin said he directed his suggestion for a special election at the Legislature because he suspects Blagojevich may oppose it.
“Most executives don’t like to give up any power,” he said.
With any luck, Dickie Durbin will be on the list of those needing a public perp walk.
Will Blago be sharing the same cell with George Ryan?
Of course he would SAY the same.
how sneakily
lolz
I’m for it. Paging Mike Ditka.
Keep in mind anyone Blago appoints must run for re-election at the next federal level election which is in 2010, unless Obama was up in 2010 (I forget when he was up)
I can’t imagine Emil Jones going along with any sort of impeachment or recall. Though Mike Madigan couldn’t sign off on an impeachment resolution fast enough.
Gettin mighty crowded under that bus!
I'm sure that this Obama did not know this guy. Blagoyowho?
perp walk, or frog march...
Are there any viable Illinois Republicans who could compete for the seat?
A special election would be the best option, b/c turnout will be low.
Let the people decide.
They’ve tried to get former Gov Edgar to run in the past have they not? Any chance he would have a shot? How ironic would that be if Obama’s seat were taken by a Repub. It would be like Mondale’s old Senate seat going GOP in 1978, or Gore’s seat being won by Fred in 1994. But perhaps an even bigger upset.
I’m assuming that the state constitution allows them to do this...but I can’t see an election being held earlier than mid-March. Because of the corruption factor...I’m thinking a Republican might be able to appear and claim a “clean-up” factor and rack up extra votes.
The curious thing....the governor will be under charges and face some kind of court action by July. I’m fairly sure he will be convicted and then be facing jail. The Lt Gov could move up....but he really isn’t a popular face to the public there. I’m thinking by 2010....a major election in the state might be generating alot of Republican interest.
I would say the Obama-factor in this spring election and 2010 election...will be half of what you’d normally expect. Instead of “change”...”clean-up” will be key phase to repeat over and over.
Clearly, the only “fair” thing to do is nominate Mayor Daley.....
Why bother with a silly little thing like the law?
They’ve nationalized industries. It logically follows they start usurping states responsibilities to elect their own officers.
This is getting to be practically Byzantine.
“He is not the governor I knew...”
Durbin is sad. Oh boo-hoo!!
I don’t think Illinois has any honest candidates to pick from, unfortunately. The corrupt DEM machine has seen to that!
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