Blago Senate Seat Sale: Emil Jones or Luis Gutierrez weren't candidate #5 it seems....

[FrenchieCat]

November 25, 2008

Politico's Ben Smith has posted a partial statement from Rep. Luis Gutierrez in which he discloses that one of Gov. Blagojevich's criteria for Barack Obama's U.S. Senate replacement is that it be someone who plans to run in 2010. Gutierrez says he isn't willing to commit to this requirement and, as such, has withdrawn himself from consideration, despite Blagojevich's apparent interest:

"Today I had a very productive and gratifying conversation with Governor Blagojevich about the U.S. Senate. I shared with Governor Blagojevich that I would be honored to be appointed to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. I also told him that I would not be interested in running for a full term in 2010....

Governor Blagojevich shared with me today that he was very interested in me as a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat, but that his preference is to appoint someone who will run for a full term in 2010."

What we have learned from Gutierrez's disclosure is that a placeholder (such as Emil Jones) seems out of the question.

That being said, I wouldn't be suprised if there's more to Gutierrez's withdrawal than meets the eye. It just strikes me as strange that, after essentially throwing his hat in the ring several weeks ago, the 55-year-old representative now says he doesn't want to serve more than two years in the Senate.
http://www.progressillinois.com/2008/11/25/gutierrez-withdraws-senate-seat

Video of an interview of Luis Gutierrez and Jesse Jackson Jr. on 11/25/08
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVfPjiAW28Y&eurl=http://www.progressillinois.com/2008/11/25/gutierrez-withdraws-senate-seat


I think that Blagojevich may have ruled out Gutierrez, which is why Gutierrez used the excuse that he just wanted the seat for 2 years. He is only 55 years old. So why would he only want to serve 2 years? Possibly Balgojevich told him that he wasn't getting it? :shrug:

[firedupdem]

1. Everything is shady with Blagojevich...so many people knew he

was dirty who knows what was really going on behind the scenes. One thing for sure, he wasn't appointing anybody that couldn't do something for him. Either money, a better job, something! He's one arrogant shady dude.

Glad my President knew to stay away from him. Can you imagine if that ass had given a speech at the DNC or went on the stump for Obama? People would be having a field day with that info. They are still having one but it's merit less!

[Jennicut]

4. He made no speech at the DNC. Obama knew he was bad news.

McLame evidently let Cheney speak at the RNC so there went his judgment

[Jennicut]

2. Good observation Frenchie. I wonder who it could be.

It has to be someone who wanted to play to pay with Blago, is JJJ willing to ruin his career to do that? I don't know.

[firedupdem]

5. I hope not....I wonder if JJJ would have had the money or influence

Blagojevich wanted in return?

[Jennicut]

6. Maybe not. I thinke we can all speculate till the cows come home

but we won't know for sure unless #5 gets indicted as well.

[firedupdem]

8. right...this is really turning into an interesting week! n/t

[FrenchieCat]

14. There appears to be more candidates than were accounted for....

US Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr., Jan Schakowsky, Danny Davis, and Luis Gutierrez, Illinois Director of Veteran Affairs Tammy Duckworth, Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan....if you add Emil Jone, Valerie Jarett (referred to as Candidate 1), Melissa Bean, and J.P. Pritzker, a wealthy Chicago businessman.

That's like 11 candidates already!

[davidinalameda]

3. the right wing radio pigs were wetting their pants tonight

it's guilt by association time

I just hope that Blago doesn't try and take Obama down with him

who knows what a desperate man might try to do

[CookCountyResident]

16. Rezko?

Rezko has probably been "singing" in the last few months.

[hughee99]

7. Of course Blagojevich wanted someone who would run again...

They'd be willing to pay more for the seat then someone who's just planning to hold it for 2 years and leave. For the first time, everyone is trying NOT to be at the top of a Governor's list for a Senate appointment.

[rvablue]

9. Who would want to be appointed now with the smell of this on them

I think that's why Durbin wants the special election, so that he can get a colleague in the Senate who others will be willing to work with.

Unfortunately, at this juncture, I don't even think it would help if Blago stepped down and let Quinn decide.

[Occam Bandage]

10. Well, there goes my guess. Please let it not be JJJ. Please. nt

[redstate_democrat]

11. It's not. nt

[liberalpragmatist]

12. Yeah, I hope not

I like JJJ. Maybe it was just an overeager aide? Still can't be good for him if he is "Candidate 5."

[Marsala]

17. It shouldn't be JJJ since he isn't someone objectionable to Obama n/t

[Occam Bandage]

20. JJJ is objectionable to Obama? Since when?

[Withywindle]

13. My hunch is that Gutierrez probably knew the deal was rotten and tried to find a graceful way out.

He can be a little blinded by ambition sometimes, but not that bad. He really does care about his constituents, and he can do a lot more for them as a Congressman than as another defendant in a corruption scandal.

Probably doesn't have the kind of money Blago would have wanted either.

[FrenchieCat]

15. Yep. that's my take.....although the "NO" on Gutierrez could have came from Blago....

as he would know that Gutierrez could give him what he wanted.
Then Gutierrez came up with a cover story in order not to look like a reject.

But I will note that in October of this year, Gutierrez was implicated in some kind of
ethical issue on a $200,000 loan. So perhaps he's the one that tipped off to put in the tap?
Cause the original wiretap date jives with being a bit after Gutierrez' problems started.
The info in on his Wiki page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Guti%C3%A9rrez
and here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/29/congressman-gutierrezs-re_n_138822.html

Looks like Gutierrez' problems started around October 29th. Thre was an additional wiretap installed at Blago's home on that day, I think.

[Enrique]

18. i call bullshit on Gutierrez

i don't see the little pipsqueak turning down a U.S. Senate seat. Makes no sense.

[chimpymustgo]

19. Guttierrez has been a pipsqueak forever. Turned on Harold Washington's crew on the day of the great

Mayor's funeral. IIRC, in the scramble over who would succeed Harold, the notoriously divided Aldermen were clamoring for power, lining up votes. Luis (then an alderman) rode to the funeral in the car of Harold Washington's biggest nemesis on the council. Harold had campaigned with this little fucker and helped him get on the council. Thirty pieces of silver?