IL-Sen: Durbin Calls for Special Election

[ccharles000]

http://www.swingstateproject.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4125

Dick Durbin has a good idea:

A former state legislator, Durbin said he spoke to a former colleague in the Illinois legislature early Tuesday to suggest a special election instead of any gubernatorial appointment.
"If the allegations are proven true, he has clearly abused the public trust," Durbin said of Blagojevich. "I think the Illinois legislature should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama. No appointment by this governor under these circumstances can produce a credible replacement."

Not only is this the right thing to do, it'd also give us something to discuss over the coming months. But if this is going to happen, the state legislature needs to scramble and get this law passed as quickly as possible.

[WI_DEM]

1. of course he's right, but it's a shame Blago had to ruin a certain democratic seat thru 2010

because of his actions.

[AngryAmish]

2. then shouldn't Blago get a commutation too, Dick?

[T Wolf]

3. Absolutely NO! Under the law, if the gov. is unable to appoint (because of removal, etc.) wouldn't

it fall to the Lt. Gov. to take that action? Why change the rules in the middle, especially if it could cost the Democratic Party a seat?

After the current situation is resolved, THEN you change the rules.

[AZ Criminal JD]

5. The governor is not being removed

He still has the power to appoint. The Illinois legislature will not even meet until after the new Senate begins work in January.

[ShadowLiberal]

8. It takes time to impeach & convict, and Obama's seat is empty right now

The governor could technically decide to appoint someone right now before the state legislature has a chance to do anything.

Besides that, anyone appointed by Blagojevich now would be tarred with Blagojevich's corruption, Blagojevich only had a 13% approval rating to begin with before this story broke.

[Median Democrat]

4. Durbin and Blago Are Not Close - Durbin Has to Call for an Election

Durbin is a supporter of Patrick Fitzgerald. So, Durbin has to support a special election or Blago cronies will point the finger at Durbin.

[tritsofme]

6. Democrats would more than likely win such an election.

Republicans have no bench in Illinois, and have not won a state-wide race since 2002, when they won the Treasurer race.

[bigdarryl]

7. that's risky they might end up with a Rethug

[mucifer]

9. I really wish Durbin didn't support pardoning governor ryan

Ok we just need a governor's wing of the federal prison here in IL