Blago Can Still Make The Appointment
A number of you have written to ask: What happens to Obama's Senate seat now? Does Governor Blagojevich still have the authority to appoint Obama's successor to the open seat, now that he's been accused of, er, conspiring to sell that same seat?
We checked in with the Illinois Attorney General's office for an answer. And guess what -- they don't have one yet!
In yet another sign of just how bizarre and murky this story is, the AG's office tells us that they're researching the question of what happens now and will have an answer soon. As if this story needed any more oddball twists.
Separately, on CNN just now, commentator Jeffrey Toobin just opined that he thinks Blago does retain that power but that the Senate would refuse to seat his choice under these circumstances. We'll let you know when the Illinois AG's office makes it official.
Late Update: In a televised interview just now, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin just called for a special election to fill the seat. The legalities of this course, too, are uncertain. More when we know it.
Late Late Update: Here's the video of Durbin:
Late Late Update: A spokesperson for the state AG's office has confirmed it to us: "The governor can still appoint somebody to the U.S. Senate." We've changed our headline to reflect this.
He will resign soon. Pressure will be enormous.
December 9, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best way for democrats to abate the uproar: Blago resigns NOW, a new governor appoints well-decorated hero like Tammy Duckworth or someone within a week or so.
The sooner they act the better.
December 9, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is an interesting post over on Political Animal as to why Tammy Duckworth would be a good appointee. One big plus: she doesn't have the money so everyone would know that she wasn't one of the people trying to buy the seat.
December 9, 2008 5:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
At this point, would you really want to be the person Blago appoints?
December 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Apparently the Illinois legislature will be starting impeaching proceedings immediately.
"State Representative John Fritchey (D) (from Blagojevich's home district), head of the House Judiciary committee, said impeachment proceedings will begin immediately."
December 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
It probably takes time though... I can't imagine impeachment can be done in just a week or two. After all, Blago does have defense rights!
December 9, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
The eventual Impeachment is not the issue, it is the enormous pressure, Blago is now swirling...Fitzgerald is preparing to go to Grand Jury....Blago won't be able to govern....his only card is to cut a deal....the complaint is a conspiracy....to commit.....
In the deal Blago resigns as impeachment process works on the flank. The timing will be done before Jan 5th.
The IL Constitution has a process....Lt Gov could appoint...(Pat Quien) who is a reformer is installed....Valarie Jarrett is appointed and accepted by the Senate.
Blago goes away.
December 9, 2008 2:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo!! The only way Blago gets out of this is to cut a deal. The deal is he appoints Jarrett in exchange for this complaint being dropped.
December 9, 2008 4:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fritchey's my rep and he seems to have independence from the Governor, so I expect him to be in favor of impeachment.
I'm embarrassed to say I voted for Blago, mostly because his last opponent Judy Baar Topinka supported Phil Gramm in his quixotic presidential bid in 1996.
December 9, 2008 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
The same Senate that refused to seat Ted Stevens after his indictment? Oh, wait...
December 9, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
They didn't refuse to seat Stevens. He was already in the Senate. Completely different. Completely different levels of corruption would be involved, too. Appointing yourself to a Senate seat after you've been indicted is 100x worse than being indicted as a Senator. Stevens likely would've been booted after a conviction.
December 9, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Blago is forced out of office, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn would appoint the Senator - which should be good news for the left as Quinn is considered more progressive than Blagojevich. In particular, his rise would probably mean that Tammy Duckworth (who many liberals do not trust) is out while labor-friendly representatives (especially Schakowsky) are in. And Jackson probably wouldn't be in too good shape given that he seems to be "Senate Candidate 5" in the indictment. (More considerations on what's next in the Senate and gubernatorial races at Campaign Diaries.)
December 9, 2008 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Objectively, this is so dejavu for a nuetral observer. Democrats just declared they're back in power-couldn't have started on a uglier note.
December 9, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
This Blago thing's been festering for a while. Don't worry, the GOP's is trying to ignore plenty of their own festering problems that will explode into indictments soon enough and make everyone forget all about this.
December 9, 2008 1:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you.
Kash I really think you're overly concerned for no good reason.
Obama had nothing to do with this and that's the way the story is being reported.
December 9, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the other hand, this makes Spitzer look like Mister F*cking Rogers by comparison.
December 9, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
True, but Blago never pretended to be holier than thou. Sometimes the higher you are, the harder you fall.
December 9, 2008 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dude, the man tried to shake down the President-Elect of the United States. That's a couple rungs higher on the felony food chain than simple hypocrisy.
December 9, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. I'm just saying that Blago has a long wrap sheet, so why are any of us surprised? In Spitzer's case he campaigned as the moral one, beyond impunity, he was from the light side. No one expected it and so his fall from grace was a lot harder. I'm not saying he's worse than Blago, not by any means. They share one thing though, they're both meatheads.
December 9, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
uh, rap sheet.
December 9, 2008 2:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not talking about Obama. When a leech like Cunningham does something it cast a shadow on the entire party. Blago.Governor.Obama's Senate Seat.
People like Blago will help cast eclipse on the goodness of the party.
I'm not worried. But I'm saying why most people say "all politicians are crooks?" it because of bastards like Blago.
December 9, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm just saying this helps put GOP and Democrats in one box for a lot of people.
Same difference. and there is some merit to that argument.
On a side not, Blago was running for Gov when I was at Northwestern- I was hardly interesred in poitics but even then I heard a lot of talk about he being crooked. I don't think this will be a surprise to anyone in Chicago.
December 9, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think so = he's a governor, Kash. He isn't part of the new Congress. He isn't part of the new administration. He's a governor and I don't think he's taking down the whole Democratic party with him.
December 9, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree.
"90 thousand dollar in the freezer" man lost his Congressional seat in Louisiana so that is a BLESSING for the Dems in disguise.
Blavejovich will be gone soon and this occurred BEFORE someone was appointed for the Illinois Senate seat vacated by Obama so that that seat isn't tainted yet.
Many of the tainted Dems are gone now. The only tainted Dem still around is Charlie Rangel. I think that Pelosi should get him out BEFORE the new Congress starts.
Pelosi should let the swamp out.
December 9, 2008 1:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with that. I'm all for getting rid of all of the crooked Democrats and the Democrats who run around on their spouses. But this actually happened at a good time, as you say, Maritza = before anyone has been appointed. So whoever is appointed won't be part of this mess.
December 9, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, bullshit.
It could have been much worse. Obama could have actually been peripherally involved, and this could have come out the week before he took office.
Stop cowering.
December 9, 2008 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
I do not believe that governors have the same impact on the national consciousness that national level politicians do.
Here any harm that could have occurred to a national office or the incoming administration was totally cut off at the pass.
December 9, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Superstar governors could dent national consciousness--people like ahnoold or eliot.
Blagojevich? Doubtful. His party affiliation? Even more doubtful.
December 9, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
CT Voter:
When I said an uglier note I was just expressing repulsion for a Democratic governor to cast huge distraction from what was an impressive transition.
I'm not cowering, I'm just mad that it was the democratic governor Obama's home state dealing with Obama's senate seat damaged Obama's attempts for a calm and smooth transition.
I'm not saying this is connected to transition, I'm saying it brings in a lot of unwanted noise.
I'm mad- the first stone was cast by a democratic governor.
December 9, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I can understand that--the mad part.
If I was inclined to draw huge, unwarranted generalizations about Democrats, I'd say this epitomizes the ineptitude we've seen for the last 8 years.
But I'm not that sort.
: )
December 9, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is. His office or he personally had contact with the Governor on this matter. The conversations may have been taped. There will be a call for those tapes to be made public to prove Obama's innocence.
Stay tuned.
December 9, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ya. Still waiting for the Whitey Tape though.
December 9, 2008 2:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
What part of fuck 'em don't you understand?
December 9, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I understand that it means they had contact and negotiation...even if it went nowhere this absolutely involves Obama.
December 9, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. As in it was Obama's office that notified the Feds.
You're absolutely right: it absolutely involves Obama and demonstrates what an upstanding office he has.
Thanks for playing, little one. We've got some lovely parting gifts for you.
December 9, 2008 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Right on schedule.
I knew this would get the dormant trolls crawling out of the woodwork. Yes, this is IT. This is the thing you've been waiting for, the one you always knew would happen. Obama is obviously deeply involved in this. Its proof, proof positive that he's as bad as you always thought. Once Fitz is on this case, the trail will undoubtedly end in the uncovering of Obama's ruthless suppression of the "Whitey" tape, his secret alteration of his real birth certificate, his instigation of the Rwandan genocide, and his previously hidden involvement in the murders of Vince Foster and Marilyn Monroe.
December 9, 2008 2:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Was Rahm the man who put the nail in Blago's coffin?
http://firedoglake.com/2008/12/09/did-rahm-tip-fitzgerald/
December 9, 2008 2:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Durbin called for the state legislature to pass a law providing for a special session.
December 9, 2008 2:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
JAN SCHAKOWSKY!!!!
December 9, 2008 3:08 PM | Reply | Permalink