by Frank James
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's stated support today at her press conference for a special election to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate was music to the ears of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
The NRSC e-mailed Madigan quotes from today's press conference at which she announced her lawsuit filed with the Illinois Supreme Court requesting that the court declare as unfit to serve Gov. Rod Blagojevich who was arrested on suspicion of public corruption. One of the e-mailed quotes was:
"I'm in favor of the legislature moving forward with legislation to create a special election, but obviously it'll be up to them to make that determination."
Republicans are salivating at the prospect of a special election, which would at least give them a fighting chance at picking up a Senate seat.
Thus the NRSC has been making sure to e-mail to Washington reporters every utterance in which a Democratic Illinois politician calls for such an election.
Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, opposes the idea of a special election because of the potential to lose the seat.
Meanwhile, the NRSC also hit Sen. Richard Durbin, the Illinois Democrat who is the state's only senator at this point, for appearing to back away from his earlier call for a special election, according to a story in Roll Call, a publication which covers Congress.
The NRSC issued the following press release:
WASHINGTON--U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, incoming-Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), made the following statement today regarding a story by RollCall newspaper, "Durbin Softens Special Election Demand," in which Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill) backed away from his previously-firm position that a special election should be held to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
"Earlier this week, Senator Durbin made clear that the taint of corruption surrounding this process demanded a special election by the people of Illinois. I could not agree more. The people should have a voice in this process, and the next Senator of Illinois should be chosen in the light of day, not in the backrooms of Washington or Springfield. No hand-picked appointee made by the Blagojevich administration could possibly be seen as appropriate or legitimate by the people or by the Senate. So I sincerely hope that Senator Durbin will continue to advocate for what he himself has said is the right thing to do, and not bend to pressure from Senator Reid and other Washington powerbrokers who want to cut the people out of this process."
Comments
Special election would be the most honest way, but will never happen in Illinois
Posted by: Inky | December 12, 2008 7:12 PM
In her haste to "get" her political opponent, she should be careful not to shoot herself in the foot.
Looks like Kirk would be Rep. candidate.
Dems wd be smarter to ease Blago out and let Quinn appoint someone like a Tammy Duckworth.
JJJ is damaged goods by now.
Kirk might win big and be position to hold the seat later.
So then the whole Dem party would be shooting itself in the foot.
When they really, really need all the Senate votes they can get.
What with Shelby & Sessions (sounds like a couple of banjo pickers) trying out their "spoiler" act.
Well, Shelby Sessions & Corker. Sounds like a Pascagoula law firm.
It wd almost be better to let even Blago appoint his Deputy Gov. as a caretaker, than to let the seat fall into the Repuglican column.
Posted by: ornery | December 12, 2008 7:45 PM
But would it only be open to Dems? And could the GOP really field a viable candidate now that the cream of the Dem crop will come back out of the woodwork for an untainted election?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | December 12, 2008 7:48 PM
Well, if democracy is GOP's song, pass me the songbook!
Posted by: Sing for Democracy | December 12, 2008 9:11 PM
As a resident of Illinois I believe we should have the right to go the polling place and cast a ballot.
This might be one election were we would have a legitimate chance to elect a candidate that is looking out for the citizens of Illinois rather than one who is looking out for himself.
Posted by: Joe Jankovic | December 13, 2008 6:21 AM
The "Democrats" are afraid of the democratic process. Ain't nothing more ironical than irony!
Posted by: MJ | December 13, 2008 8:35 AM
How's this for a scenario - as soon as the Illinois Stste dems start voting on impeachment hearings, Blago appoints the next Senator - Jim Oberwise.
.
Blago can just hang this over the democrats heads the whole time as sweet revenge.
Posted by: Terry | December 13, 2008 8:42 AM
Quinn should become governor and name the successor. I agree Duckworth would be a good choice. I don't think she has the political baggage the rest of them do.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | December 13, 2008 9:11 AM
This is one classy dame. As a former
resident of Illinois, I followed her career. I think she would be a good
Senator from Illinois, and I' a Republican,
Posted by: Paul | December 13, 2008 9:20 AM
Sounds like the GOPs are getting a little ahead of themselves. Keep in mind they are the group with offered Chopter Jim Oberweiss and Alan Keyes are recent statewiders. One legislative leader already got creamed in a statewide contest --- too lib for the wing nuts; the other was GRod's biggest ally in the legis.
Where do the go for candidates? Capt. Kirk is an odd duck who barely wins running as a liberal. Roskam????
The best weapon the Ds in IL is the Republicans. Let's hope Karl Rove comes to "help"
Posted by: Mr W T Rush. | December 13, 2008 10:03 AM
The faster the Democrats can get BAGO out of office-
Less Scandal.
"Demogate 2009" has started.
Posted by: Inky | December 13, 2008 10:36 AM