Posted December 9, 2008 5:02 PM
by Frank James
Sen. Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, is making clear that anyone the just-arrested governor of Illinois might choose to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate would instantly become the black sheep of that body.
Reid's statement:
The charges against Governor Blagojevich are appalling and represent as serious a breach of the public trust as I have ever heard.
It is clear that anyone Governor Blagojevich appoints to the Senate will fairly or unfairly be tainted by questions of impropriety.
A different process to select a new Senator must be put in place - and that process should not involve Governor Blagojevich.
Comments
Watergate? Wasn't that worse than this latest politician money grab and letting down of the people??? Harry Reid knows better.
Posted by: kcfella | December 9, 2008 9:13 PM
In other words, we're not touching anything related to Blagojevich with a ten-foot pole!
It will be interesting to see how the Illinois Legislature and leaders will deal with this problem.
Posted by: Brian M. | December 9, 2008 9:28 PM
Just can anyone find an honest politician? I like the way Obama said he hadn't talked to anyone in this man's office but Obama's campaign manager said Obama had already spoke to this crooked SOB. I am starting to see a pattern of deceit nut Obama never knows anything about it?
Posted by: barb | December 9, 2008 9:51 PM
Who would possibly accept an appointment from Blago at this point? It would be absolute career suicide. Any politician would have to be nuts to take it. Other than appointing himself or his wife, I don't think Blago has a play here.
Posted by: Lou | December 10, 2008 9:33 AM
I am really disappointed in Senator Reid and his pre-trial verdict of Governor Blagojevich, guilty, as hell !! First of all, where does he get the power to deny Illinois the right to representation in the Senate. Has he replaced President Bush as the Decider-in-Chief ?
Come on, Senator Reid, you know better than that. Don't convict Governor Blagojevich and deny the voters of Illinois the right to representation, because you think he is guilty. Should we just throw him in jail and save the state the cost of a trial ?!! Where's the democracy, over in Russia !!?
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | December 10, 2008 10:39 AM
Harry Reid needs to get a backbone when dealing with the minority Republicans in the Senate. If not, he should step aside and let someone step up. I'm tired of Reid rolling over and playing dumb everytime the Republicans say boo.
Posted by: Doug R. | December 10, 2008 11:24 AM