IL Governor just arrested. Who appoints Obama's seat now?

[Thrill]

CNN Breaking News

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. luckily it won't be him anymore.

he was going to pick a bloggo supporter.

[tritsofme]

2. I hope its our Lt Governor Pat Quinn.

He is an honorable man.

I hope Blago has some time to compare notes with his predecessor in prison.

[JoDog]

14. That would be my guess

It would make sense that since yet another of our governors is in federal custody, LG Quinn would take over all his duties. That would likely include the selection of our new senator.

And I'm not just saying that because we share a last name...

[rvablue]

52. Is he a Dem? Is that how the process works in Illinois that the Lt. Gov

takes the seat with no special election? I hope both answers are yes.

Sorry for the furtive questions, I just heard this on the radio and I don't want it messing with our ratio in the Senate.

[tritsofme]

57. All statewide officeholders are Dems in IL.

I can't remember a time when we have had a vacancy in the governors office, but I assume the Lt Gov will take over when Blago resigns/is impeached.

[a la izquierda]

3. Something about this and the BofA thing stinks.

:tinfoilhat:
I realize that Blagojevich has been under investigation, but the timing...hmmm....

[Thrill]

4. Apparently he also may have been doing a 'Pay for Play' for Obama's seat

He met with Jesse Jr Monday. Was Jesse Jr. wearing a wire? How much did he tell Jesse it would cost?

[a la izquierda]

7. Oh, this guy sucks.

My landlord in Mexico is from Chicago and he can't stand Blago...I'm sure he's just going to be thrilled to hear about this.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

9. Nobody can stand him.

The only guy who's approval rating is lower than Bush's.

[Sannum]

8. No timing...

He should have been indicted a year ago.

[Bluzmann57]

19. Blago is as dirty as they come

So take off the tin foil hat and look at facts. It was just a matter of time before he got arrested.

[a la izquierda]

51. Edited...

Edit..to be fair, I just got some more info from a friend, so I'll withdraw my very cranky response to your post.

[Bluzmann57]

58. See, I live on the border of Iowa and Illinois

And as such, hear Illinois news all the time. Two of our local TV stations are located in Illinois. Therefore, I have an idea of what I'm talking about. And Pat Fitzgerald, who prosecuted Libby, is the lead prosecutor in this case. Remember how Fitzgerald was asuch a hero after the Libby prosecution? Can't have it both ways.

[nichomachus]

29. Let's review history

Eliott Spitzer takes on the corporations -- he gets nailed in a prostitution case -- political career declared over. David Vitter still in office.

John Edwards takes on the corporations -- he gets exposed for an extra-marital affait -- political career declared over. Hundreds of Republican adulterers still in office.

Blagojevich takes on a corporation -- the next day he's arrested in a "corruption" probe -- people talking about impeachment. Republicans who committed treason still walking free.

Does anyone see a pattern here?

[truebrit71]

33. Except Blago is bent. He's been under investigation for three years...

..."next day" really isn't part of the pattern...

[SoxFan]

59. Oh, stop it

Blago is as corrupt as the day is long. I live in New Freaking Hampshire and I know about his reputation.

As for Edwards, he couldn't keep his pants on, made a big deal about his relationship with Elizabeth, and got caught by a silly tabloid. The only people who screwed Edwards were his girlfriend and himself.

[Occam Bandage]

48. Blago is a criminal. End of story. nt

[Occam Bandage]

49. Blago is a criminal. End of story. nt

[Ozma]

5. Is there a link to this story somewhere? n/t

[MaineDem]

6. Here's the LBN thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3637580

[AngryAmish]

10. Me.

And I appoint....TheMagistrate.

Take it away, sir.

[zulchzulu]

11. Who the hell could pronounce Blagojevich's name anyway...

Da prison wit ya, Blagojevich...

[TahitiNut]

It's easy. Just pronounce the "j" like a "y" ... no problem.

:shrug:

[Thrill]

12. Hopefully their LT. Governor appoints their Attorney General for Obama's seat

She appears to be a very impressive woman

[JoDog]

15. Tough call

AG Lisa Madigan is also a prospective candidate for gov in 2010. It may hinge on if LG Quinn is interested in that job himself.

[AngryAmish]

16. She is a crook like the rest of them

We are not a monarchy. At some point the nepotism has to stop.

No matter the merits, I will no longer vote for the son, daughter, nephew et al. of any powerful politician. Rise on your own merits, dammit.

And she screams when giving a speech.

[WeDidIt]

13. As of right now, it's Still Blagojevich who appoints

He'd have to be impeached before Quinn does the appointing.

[racaulk]

17. That was my thought also.

Until Blagojevich vacates his position, either voluntarily or through impeachment, he's still the Governor of Illinois and would still appoint Obama's replacement.

[truebrit71]

20. Not if he was "selling" that appointment which is what it looks like he was doing...

...See ya Rod you crook!

[WeDidIt]

21. Yes, even if he was selling the appointment.

He could legally appoint somebody from a jail cell if he's not impeached or doesn't resign before he does it.

The legislature needs to step up to the plate and impeach his ass right now.

[muriel_volestrangler]

24. I seem to remember the Senate can effectively reject a Senator

It was discussed when it looked possible that Stevens could win the election in Alaska, and then might try to stay in the Senate. People seemed pretty confident that with a large enough vote, the Senate could eject anyone elected or appointed to it - and if the appointment had been sold, I think you'd get any majority you needed.

[Pab Sungenis]

32. And if he sent a tainted choice to Washington

the Senate could refuse to seat the replacement, citing the bribery scandal. The seat would be vacant until someone else (like Quinn) is in position to fill it.

[JoDog]

18. I don't know if Illinois

can impeach a governor. If so, it is extremely hard to do. Jack Franks, my state rep, led a failed effort to oust Blago this summer. On the Nov. 4 ballot, voters were asked if they wanted to call for a new state constitutional convention, with the eye to including language to provide a process for recall of the governor. That measure failed.

[AngryAmish]

23. IL Constitution

Article IV

SECTION 14. IMPEACHMENT
The House of Representatives has the sole power to
conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence
of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of
the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial
officers. Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When
sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or
affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor
is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall
preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence
of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not
extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to
hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer,
whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to
prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)

Article V
SECTION 10. GOVERNOR - REMOVALS
The Governor may remove for incompetence, neglect of
duty, or malfeasance in office any officer who may be
appointed by the Governor.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)


2/3 vote of the Il Senate - kinda like US impeachment

[WeDidIt]

25. If Blago won't resign, he'll be impeached

The only question is, can he be impeached quickly enough to insure he doesn't appoint Obama's successor.

[AngryAmish]

27. The second he gets out of jail he appoints Emil Jones

He gets on with Emil.

Barack owes Emil... a lot. Emil then says he wants Fitz gone as US attorney and Barack signs off on it.

So the new US Attorney will be compliant and lets off the pressure...a year in jail or so.

Blago is going to walk. It is sickening, but true.

[truebrit71]

28. Highly doubtful....

..

[JoDog]

36. For the sake of Senate control

I hope not. Whomever is given the seat should be able to defend it in 2010. Emil Jones can't. The Downstate voters will move against Jones faster than a deer dashing across the road. Might as well just give the seat to the GOP.

[olkaz]

44. Can't stand Emil.

I'm down with Barack, but these people that helped him early on, the whole Emil Jones faction, ick. They all need to go away.

[AngryAmish]

64. Barack is the Emil Jones faction

He was Emil's right hand man in the IL Senate. Obama learned from the master, Emil Jones.

[JoDog]

34. Thanks AngryAmish!

And Go Bears!

[rvablue]

53. I would think that being indicted for a felony that he is going to be forced to resign. n/t

[olkaz]

22. My first post on DU back in early 2006 was an anti-blagojevich post.

And I got blasted for it. Got called a troll.

Well, the chickens have come home to roost.

[rvablue]

55. Well, with this morning's news, you deserve many kudos for your

foresight.

I think we can all see clearly who "the troll" is now.

How fucking stupid can someone be? Wasn't he already under investigation? And so he hops on the horn and starts trying to extort money for a Senate appointment?

[olkaz]

60. Sometimes I wondered why Blagojevich's lackies were so fervent in their support.

My guess is that the investigation is going to really hurt a lot of people. I'm thinking that the whole pay-to-play thing stretches far further than this senate appointment.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if there are dozens and dozens of people who got their jobs DIRECTLY from campaign contributions. And I wouldn't be surprised if one or more of them post here.

This is all speculation of course, but I've been right so far.

And yes, it is almost unbelievable that he could have the chutzpah to shake down people for the appointment. The Democratic party will be way better off with this happening now before it got any bigger.

[Jennicut]

26. What exactly did he do? Our gov in CT a few years ago went to jail as well.

John Roland, a real slime ball.

[olkaz]

30. We're hearing he was shopping the vacated obama senate seat for favors/money.

I really hope this sticks.

[Jennicut]

37. Wow. I just read his wiki page, it was not good. The man is certifiably insane.

He sounds like a nut from the info I read about him.

[olkaz]

42. You would be shocked at how many apologists this man has on here.

You're right, he's certifiable, and besides parts of Chicago, the entire state of Illinois hates him.

It is so hard to be a Democrat in Illinois when you don't live in Chicago.

[Jennicut]

45. From what I read his own party detests him and does not like working with him

A bad politician is a bad politician, Repub or Dem.

[olkaz]

46. The sad thing is that Blagojevich really squandered an amazing opportunitiy.

He was our first Democratic governor in a long time, and could have done a world of good.

/sigh

FWIW, I voted for the green candidate last time he ran.

[ieoeja]

61. In what parts of Chicago is he liked?

I live blocks from the man, and "Worst. Vote. Ever." is what I say about my last vote for him. And to date I have heared that sentiment echoed by 100% of the people I know around here.

[olkaz]

63. I'm sorry, are you suggesting that the downstate is responsible for that 13%?

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but Blagojevich's numbers were much better in Chicago than downstate when he was reelected. I don't think it is much of a leap to think that the remaining 13% that approve of his job performance may be largely in the locations that resoundingly supported reelection.

You are right though, pretty much everybody I know from the city AND suburbs hates him now, and I don't disagree with your personal assessment.

[SuperTrouper]

35. Rowland a P.O.S. and our Waterbury Mayor the a$$wipe Jarjura is

rehabilitating the ex-con. Only in Connecticut we see this shit happens, we are almost as bad as Alaska. Former Waterbury Mayor Giordano is in Federal jail for having sex with two minors, the daughters of his prostitute, former Mayor Santopietro has done and may be doing more jail time for dirty criminal activities, ..we also have Joe Lieberman and Chris Dodd is not well-liked here either.

[Jennicut]

39. Giordano made me sick. Digusting. I hope he is in jail a long, long time.

[SuperTrouper]

41. And scumbag Giordano wanted to cash on his pension and was suing the city to get it while in jail.

What an ass! :mad:

[WeDidIt]

40. Pay for play

Bribes for government contracts.

It's standard fare in Illinois politics.

[DonP]

31. Until he's actually sentenced, he still does.

The law is that any public official can still hold and execute office "until they are sentenced".

So Rod could write his nomination on a roll of toilet paper in the pokey the morning before he is sentenced and it would be a valid nomination. No legislative approvals are necessary.

This process is going to move slowly so he's still the guy with the mojo.

[rvablue]

56. And would you want to be the person appointed to the Senate by an indicted felon

have fun in Washington because as a junior Senator with that yoke around your neck, no one is going to come within 20 feet of you.

[nichomachus]

38. Not looking real good -- he was trying to sell Obama's seat

The affidavit was unsealed around 8:30 a.m. That affidavit accused Gov. Blagojevich of, among other things, trying to obtain campaign contributions up front in consideration of an appointment to the Senate seat left open by Pres.- Elect Barack Obama. From the affidavit:

Later on November 3, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with Advisor A.

By this time, media reports indicated that Senate Candidate 1, an advisor to the President-elect, was interested in the Senate seat if it became vacant, and was likely to be supported by the President-elect. During the call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated, "unless I get something real good for , shit, I'll just send myself, you know what I'm saying."

ROD BLAGOJEVICH later stated, "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I'm saying. And if I don't get what I want and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself." Later, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that the Senate seat "is a f-ing valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/politics&id=6545958

[high density]

43. What a douchebag this guy is.

Patrick Fitzgerald, go to work.

[Tinksrival]

47. Here's a Fitz statement:

"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. "They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism."

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html


one of the complaints:

The complaint repeatedly makes reference to conversations secretly recorded by federal authorities.

The criminal complaint alleges Blagojevich expected an unnamed highway concrete contractor to raise a half-million dollars for his campaign fund in exchange for state money for the tollway project. "If they don't perform, (expletive) 'em," Blagojevich said, according to the complaint.

More:

On the issue of the U.S. Senate selection, federal prosecutors alleged Blagojevich sought appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate. An Obama spokesman had no immediate comment.

Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts.

[goclark]

50. K and R ~

[ClarkUSA]

54. Probably the Lt. Governor. Of course, President-Elect Obama comes out of this lookin' good...

In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew that the President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. <Expletive> them.”

[ecstatic]

62. Just learning of this! WTF? I can't believe this guy!!!!