State AG May Force Blagojevich's Hand

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2008_12/016002.php


STATE AG MAY FORCE BLAGOJEVICH'S HAND.... Mulling over the various options for Rod Blagojevich's future, the most obvious possibilities boil down to resignation or impeachment.

But there's another option to consider if the other two take too long.

If Gov. Blagojevich refuses to relinquish power and avoids impeachment, Attorney General Lisa Madigan is prepared to force his hand, aides said Tuesday.

The state's chief law enforcement officer is prepared to invoke an obscure Illinois Supreme Court rule under which the state's seven justices could vote to oust a sitting governor deemed unfit for office.

"The attorney general is prepared to take action but believes the Legislature should have a reasonable time to act," Madigan spokeswoman Natalie Bauer said.

Bauer did not specify a timeline for Blagojevich to resign or for the House and Senate to act on impeachment before she would get involved.

Apparently, the state legal provisions are a little murky when it comes to language. The state Supreme Court, for example, has authority to intervene in order to determine "the ability of the governor to serve." Would the state AG be able to make the case that Blagojevich is simply unable to serve? It's potentially tricky.

All of this would be moot if the impeachment drive moves quickly, but the Chicago Sun Times noted that lawmakers are concerned about "how evidence now held exclusively and tightly by federal prosecutors could be presented to a legislative impeachment panel before a Blagojevich trial."

Increasingly, it seems obvious that Blagojevich will leave office. It's only a matter of time and mechanism.

-Steve Benen

[LynneSin]

1. Although not mentioned here - Lisa Madigan is a democrat

so it's not like she's trying revenge or something on the governor.

[coffeenap]

2. It is my understanding that her father, Mike Madigan, a

powerful force in Illinois Dem politics is NOT a friend of Blago. Just sayin.

[nemo137]

3. I've been pleasantly surprised with the Younger Madigan

Her office was real good about looking into voting snafus this election.

[LynneSin]

4. well I figured if I didn't post it people would be screaming she's some sort of repuke banshee

She's just doing her job!

[nemo137]

5. Those would be the same people insisting that Blago is a latter-day Rob Roy

I.e. those with no clue.

Edit: derp derp spelling.

[JDPriestly]

6. I don't care who is friends with whom. My cousin has a relative

in Illinois. That is the only tie I have to the state. I do not know Blagojavich or Jesse Jackson Jr. or any of these folks. But I need more facts about acts as opposed to just conversations between Blagojavich and his aides. Daydreaming out loud is not a crime. I assume there is more, but I notice that with Patrick Fitzgerald there is a problem with carry through. Remember the Plame case? We now know that was Bush's fault -- Scott McClellan has told us so much. But Fitzgerald could not so much as indict, much less convict anyone for that crime.

[dysfunctional press]

10. but she does want his job.

nt

[Initech]

7. Impeach the bastard. Set an example.

[trollybob]

8. It's funny how a guy gets elected by an overwhelming majority

and then those same voters can't wait to get rid of him because of some bullshit (and unproven) complaint filed against him.

[dysfunctional press]

11. it's even funnier how some people can't see the forest for the trees...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

(btw- i think it's a testament to the people of illinois. present company excepted)

[Raskolnik]

12. It's funny how someone who doesn't know the first thing about Illinois politics

or the Blago investigation feels compelled to come on DU and post about both.

[whippo]

9. He still has the power to appoint himself or his wife

until something is done.

[marshall]

13. Illinois justices=4 Democrats and 3 Republicans

For what it's worth, the Democrats should have the final say if it comes down to it.