Illinois GOP Pushing for Special Election for Senate Seat

WashPost ^ | 12.14.2008 | Kari Lydersen

[rface]

The Illinois Republican Party has launched what they are calling a "grassroots campaign" to push for a special election where Illinois voters would decide who will take President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.

On Monday the party is launching a heavy statewide television advertising campaign and a round of live-connect calls informing voters of the special election possibility and asking them to contact their legislators in support of the measure.

[ snip ]

"Pat Quinn is part of Rod Blagojevich's administration and should not be allowed to pick the next U.S. Senator," said Republican DuPage county State's Attorney Joe Birkett. "When it would have taken political courage to speak out, Pat Quinn was silent."

A special election would potentially take place in conjunction with February primary elections. Democratic officials reportedly have reservations about a special election since disillusionment over the scandal might help a Republican candidate.

[calex59]

The thing is, what does their constitution allow. If Blago resigns and the Lt. Gov takes the Gov position does the legislature have the power to call a special election or does their constitution allow it? I think it doesn't, in which case they should go by their state constitution or change it so they can have an election. The dems in Illinois are the ones who fixed it so the Gov. appoints the replacement because they didn't want elections and the chance of a republican taking the seat.

Make them follow the law.

[ncalburt]

with the help of there comrades at the Chicago tribune !

[Outland]

Mark Kirk is a rino.

[MSF BU]

Agreed, he’s also a limp wristed pansy as well.

[Non-Sequitur]

In order to do that they’d have to push through legislation changing the way vacant senate seats are filled. And if they manage to get it through both chambers of the legislature, it still has to go to, you guessed it, the governor for signature. Like that’s going to happen.

[Salvation]

I hope they get the special election. What a joy it would be to pass Obama’s seat to a Republican. LOL!

Go get ‘em, RNC!

[BlueStateBlues]

I haven’t studied Kirk’s record fully, and thought he was conservative. I didn’t know the RINO status, and will hedge my opinions until I’m more informed. A RINO in the land of Lincoln? Unthinkable!