All 50 Dem Senators Call On Blagojevich To Step Down

[babylonsister]

Sam Stein
All 50 Dem Senators Call On Blagojevich To Step Down

December 10, 2008 02:04 PM


Update - 6:20PM ET: All fifty members of the Democratic Senate caucus have signed Majority Leader Harry Reid's letter calling on Gov. Rod Blagojevich to step down from his post and refrain from appointing anyone to the vacated Illinois Senate seat, a source confirms.

The development is noteworthy on several fronts. It signals that the Democratic Party, led by the Nevada Democrat, is organizing a united front against allegations of corruption - though, on this matter, it would be remarkable had any Senator refused to sign the petition. More importantly, it indicates that the Democratic senators are prepared to exercise their constitutional authority to undo any move that Blagojevich may make before he exits office.

Because he is still, officially, the governor, Blagojevich has the power to appoint Barack Obama's replacement. Illinois officials have tried to take away such authority by passing legislation that would allow the seat to be decided by a special election. But Blagojevich could make the appointment before the bill becomes law. That said, the United States Senate has the power to reject his appointment - something that Reid threatened in his letter. The fact that 49 other Democratic colleagues, including Vice President-elect Joseph Biden and Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton, have signed this letter suggest that they are serious about pushing back against any 11th-hour Blagojevich move.

* * * * *

Senator Harry Reid is drawing a fairly bold line in the political sand in regard to the ethical missteps surrounding Rod Blagojevich.

On Wednesday, the Majority Leader and Sen. Dick Durbin drafted a letter -- which they subsequently urged their Democratic colleagues to sign -- that calls on the Illinois Governor to not just remove himself from office but to "under no circumstance" make a last-minute appointment to fill Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/reid-blagojevich-must-go_n_149974.html

[maxsolomon]

1. where was this unity when uncle ted got convicted?

or when larry craig got caught soliciting sex in an airport bathroom?

or when david vitter's dc-madam dalliances were exposed?

oh yeah, that's right: blagojevich isn't in the senator's club, & the 3 republican were.

[tekisui]

2. Say goodnight, rod.

[whippo]

3. The Senators aren't listening to some here who say it was a set up.

They must be in on it.

[babylonsister]

5. Excuse me? What was a set up? nt

[robinlynne]

8. There are some threads today criticizing Fitz for bringing down a corrupt Dem.

They don't understand that leaving this man in the position he is in could bring down the entire party.....
and that it is in OUR public interest to get rid of a governor who says on the phone that he is going to sell Obama's seat for a million dollars.

Let's let them know babylonsister that selling a senate set is not the same thing as visiting a prostitute. not even close!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[babylonsister]

9. Well, those people are dumb. Blogo was going to explode sooner

or later and could have done more damage if this hadn't gone down now. I honestly don't think the guy is right in the mind.
And don't forget, he called the next prez a m*f*.

Agreed, trying to sell a senate seat is pretty irregular, prostitutes aren't, at least for rethugs. ;)

[robinlynne]

12. I love great thinkers, and you babylonsister are one I highly respect.

That goes for kpete, landshark, and so many others here too.

[robinlynne]

6. Some here who say it was a setup are quite wrong.

I assume you mean it that way, and didn't put the sarcasm thingie.....

[jazzjunkysue]

4. Between that and the Ill. state attorney general promising to take him out, he's done.

Stick a fork in him.

He's got zero safe quarter, now.

The guy's 100% toxic.

[PeaceNikki]

7. Good for them

[Texasgal]

10. He needs to go...;period.

[Crabby Appleton]

11. Good on them. nt