by James Oliphant
The senior senator from Illinois, Richard Durbin, said Tuesday he had no indication that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was on the verge of being indicted or that he was attempting to leverage his power to appoint the state's next senator in exchange for political favors.
"I was stunned," Durbin said in an interview, when learning that Blagojevich had been taken into custody by federal agents.
Durbin and Blagojevich had spoken just once about the vacancy left by President-elect Barack Obama, and even that was freighted with drama. Durbin had called the governor shortly after the election to discuss possible candidates. His office, he said, made five more calls in the span of two days.
Later, Durbin said, Blagojevich aides suggested to the press that Durbin was avoiding a discussion. Eventually the two had a short telephone conversation, 12 days after Durbin's first call., In that talk, as the two discussed as many as 20 potential appointees, Durbin said he had no indication that Blagojevich was attempting to use the appointment to benefit himself, either financially or politically.
But, Durbin said, he felt that the governor was not taking his advice seriously. "I think he did it as a formality," he said.
For the senator, it was reminiscent of 2003, when Blagojevich first took office. Durbin called him on a matter and was shocked when the new governor didn't bother to return the call. Two weeks later, Durbin said, he instructed his chief of staff to tell Blagojevich not to bother.
"That's a signal, that's a sign to people in our business that someone either doesn't respect you or doesn't take your job seriously," Durbin said.
While indicted, Blagojevich retains the power to select Obama's successor, and Durbin resisted a suggestion Tuesday that he could lead a fight in the Senate to deny a seat to a Blagojevich appointee should that occur.
The issue came up recently in a different context, when supporters of Minnesota Senate candidate Al Franken suggested that the Senate could intervene in that disputed election by either denying a seat to incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman or certifying Franken.
Durbin warned that such a move by the Senate would be problematic, because it could lead to senators rejecting a nominee--perhaps even a current member of the House--who might be an effective senator simply because of the association with Blagojevich. "Historically, that [option] has been raised in terms of disputed elections and corruption." he said. He also suggested that the Senate would be loathe to meddle in Illinois' affairs.
"Right now, [Blagojevich] has the statutory authority" to make the appointment, Durbin said.
Durbin said any nominee of Blagojevich would be hounded by questions about how the choice was made, which is why he favors a special election instead, even, he said, if Blagojevich resigns and is replaced by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn. "I really think the process now would be poisoned by the allegations that have been made," he said.
Durbin contrasted Blagojevich's style with former Gov. George Ryan, now in prison on a corruption conviction. "Everyone had a close relationship with George Ryan," he said. "He returned phone calls the same day you made them."
Blagojevich's indictment did not prompt Durbin to reassess his view that Ryan's prison sentence should be commuted, saying that leaving Ryan in jail longer didn't serve justice. "To argue that if you leave George Ryan in prison longer, politicians would get the message....one figures politicians should have that message."
In particular, he said, Blagojevich, who, he said, was "on notice" about the risks of engaging in unethical behavior. "His predecessor went to prison," Durbin
Comments
"Stunned" surely he jests...I'm sure he knew aout the dirty dealings...people talk no matter what business they are in.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 9, 2008 7:37 PM
Hard to believe from Durbin after he stated he wanted George Ryan out of the slammer.
Reminds me of that old political adage
"Far, far Away"
Posted by: Inky | December 9, 2008 7:42 PM
I can't stop thinking of Claude Reins is the movie "Casablanca" ...."I'm SHOCKED!"
Posted by: MJ | December 9, 2008 8:03 PM
Blagojevich is disgusting. Four different postings about him is a bit much. Makes one think there is some revenge here besides informing the public.
It is time to start impeachment proceedings. In this case the crime that the governor is accused of hampers his capability to serve.
Posted by: Ron M | December 9, 2008 9:06 PM
Sen Durbin has called upon President Bush to pardon Gov Blago since he feels that the governor and his family, especially the children have suffered enough.
.
President Elect BO was ask for a comment, but instead voted present.
Posted by: Terry | December 9, 2008 9:58 PM
I wonder why Blago thought Change to Win and SEIU had a job for him? I wonder what favor SEIU was looking for from the Obama administration that Blago thought he could deliver? So many interesting questions.
Posted by: An Inquiring Mind | December 9, 2008 10:54 PM
Funny. A few years ago, Dick Durbin stands on the Senate floor and convicts the U.S. military over false claims. Today, his fellow corrupt Democrat, Rod Blagojevich, is arrested for being corrupt, and Durbin is stunned, shocked, confused, can't believe it! Blago has been under investigation for years, and Durbin is stunned! Amazing.
Posted by: John D | December 9, 2008 11:53 PM
What is really stunning to me is that there has been no outcry from any in the media concerning the editorializing and verbal lynching by the incompetent U.S, Attorney, Fitzgerald, who gave us the minnow, Libby, when we should have had Charlie the Tuna, Cheney !! You talk about premeditated polluting of the jury pool, if the trial ever takes place. What professionalism, what impartiality !! This is the Bush Justice Department with a major assist from Mike Madigan, Governor Blagojevich political enemy and the father of the A.G. of illinois. It has to be the most contrived and orchestrated political stunt since U.S. Attorney Thompson rode a conviction of Judge Kerner, former Governor of Illinois into the Governor's mansion !
I am no fan of Governor Blagojevich, but I am not in favor of power plays, with the courts being used to facilitate such plays !! The impeachment of President Clinton is another example of this reprehensible tactic. Mike Madigan found an individual, in Governor Blagojevich, that wouldn't play his kind of politics and there has been a battle, between the two men ever since. I don't need to remind the readers, who is the more adept at finishing such a political battle !!
What is extremely disappointing is to hear our various elected officials speak as though Governor Blagojevich has already been convicted. elected officials all the way to Washington D.C. A witch hunt and a political lynching, spear-headed by a Bush hack in the office of the U.S. Attorney is not a fair trial and will never take the place of one.
I hope Governor Blagojevich fights the charges and proves the conspirators to be wrong !! This is not Russia, we have a legal system that was supposed to be based on, innocent until proven guilty, but I guess in the era of Bush, and his ilk, in whatever Party, that ideal is history. I hope not, but, I am afraid, that may now be the case !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | December 10, 2008 1:17 AM
durbin is a liar and worthless if he think s we bekive a word he say s
Posted by: show me | December 10, 2008 8:30 AM
Chicago and Illinois have a long and apparently cherished history of corruption by elected public officials.
Both Durban and Obama have full knowledge of this history, and insider knowledge of what it takes to "get" a political position. As others have suggested, their incredulity is hard to swallow.
This will be another in Obama's growing list of "See no evil - hear no evil - speak no evil" responses to dealing with unsavory characters and a corrupt political system.
Great example of democracy in acton.
Posted by: HAZMAT | December 10, 2008 8:56 AM
I can understand the public being shocked, but anyone in politics who has dealt with Blagojevich knew he was capable of this. Only a few said anything.
Posted by: Grandblvd03 | December 10, 2008 9:29 AM
Hey," HAZMAT", I have a better example of democracy in action !! How about America destroying a nation, Iraq, decimating it's population, all in the name of that noble idea, Democracy !! Give me a break, after watching that political lynching by the incompetent US Attorney Fitzgerald, with his editorializing at the political stunt, sometimes known as a public announcement, I thougth, maybe we all moved to Russia, or Bushville !! What a dog and pony, or is it phony, show !! I thought Hyde, Graham, Barr and Gingrich had proven that you can not make a power-play using the courts, but, I guess I was wrong, again !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRNG THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | December 10, 2008 9:42 AM
Have to agree with Grandblvd.
A joke was circulating about the devolution of Obama's vacant seat:
Rod was seeing who would offer him the most $$$.
Many a truth is spoken in jest.
Turns out that was just what it was.
Obama maybe should have been more upfront about his personal choice, if indeed he had one.
That would have put at least his cards on the table.
Or if he indeed had no favorite, he could have said that.
Anyway, now next question I'd like to see answered: who is the candidate who offered the $500,000?
I think the US Atty office should not be so coy about that.
I have a suspicion, but maybe I'm all wrong.
Swamp dwellers, who is the $500,000 Candidate???
Posted by: ornery | December 10, 2008 10:35 AM
I am stunned that Durbin is stunned. I didnt even blink when I read that Blago was indicted.
Posted by: Herbie H | December 10, 2008 10:49 AM
Don Fitzgerald, all of your posts include the line about bringing the troops home, NOW! I'm wondering, now that Obama has said troops will be in Iraq for at least another 16 months, how do you feel about that? 16 months (at least) is not NOW!
Posted by: John D | December 10, 2008 2:14 PM
All you Bush haters out there....who think Fitzgerald is a Republican hack....answer the following question.
How did Fitz get Blago, Harris, Rezko, Levine, Celini, and the host of others to say what they did while the FBI was listening in on their conversations by means of Court Ordered wire taps and eavesdropping devices?
Illinois is a corrupt state....ever since Capone and those guys made it a business to buy off Cops, Judges, and politicians. The beat goes on.
Who is the 500,000 dollar guy....why ol' Jesse Jackson, Jr. of course.
As these rats face the music and start copping a plea to escape long terms in jail....wait till all that web of corruption begins to unravel!
Durbiin better get over being shocked....as he is probably going to be right there alongside the rest of them.
This thing will make Watergate look like a garden party.
Posted by: Ralph Chappell | December 13, 2008 6:22 PM
I know you guys want this gov. to step down, but when these politicians do something wrong they fight to keep their power. look at the detroit mayor, he was arrogant until the day they locked him up. to much power drive some people crazy.
Posted by: rose woods | December 13, 2008 9:53 PM