* I’ll have more on this tomorrow…
Ilinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has produced “talking points” for legislative candidates on the reasons to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich. […]
It refers to corruption under Blagojevich as “a tumor” that must be surgically removed. It also claims the governor has violated the state constitution by abusing his authority.
Spokesman Steve Brown says the talking points do not represent Madigan’s views. Instead, he says they simply provide information for any House candidates who want to discuss impeachment.
*** UPDATE *** Reaction from the governor’s press office…
“This is another example of the pettiness, silliness and backroom games that Speaker Madigan has been playing for months to prevent progress. We wish he would drop his behind-the-scenes maneuvering and come to the leaders’ meetings. It’s time for the Speaker to join the rest of the legislative leaders who have been working with the governor to pass a capital bill that will put thousands of people to work.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** The AP now has a longer story online…
Brown said he believed Democratic candidate Emily Klunk-McAsey, who is running against Republican Rep. Brent Hassert for a seat in Chicago’s suburbs, received the information for a recent news conference on impeachment. Klunk-McAsey did not return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.
Other lawmakers who have discussed pursuing impeachment said they had not seen the memo but were not surprised it went to candidates.
‘’I don’t think that he (Madigan) is pushing for impeachment at this time, because if he was we’d be in Springfield right now,'’ said Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock. ‘’He wants to make sure that he does well with the House. This is one way of giving his candidates some options.'’
* Klunk-McAsey’s statement was only covered in one paper yesterday…
Here’s a sign of the ironic condition of Illinois politics.
Emily McAsey , the Democratic candidate for 85th District state, last week issued a statement calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich ’s impeachment in the aftermath of his buddy Tony Rezko ’s conviction. Not only that, McAsey of Lockport accuses her Republican opponent, Rep. Brent Hassert of Romeoville, of not being tough enough on the Democratic governor.
“His (Hassert’s) attitude shows exactly what is wrong in Springfield right now: Republicans and Democrats covering up and protecting each other when something is amiss,” McAsey said in a written statement.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Statement from Senate President Emil Jones…
“I think it’s wrong for the Democratic Speaker and Democratic Party Chairman to promote the impeachment of a Democratic Governor. Impeachment is unwarranted in my opinion, and should not be used as a political tool. It is a serious state action that should not be used to divert attention from the issues at hand which are the operating budget and passing a capital bill.”