70 Comments - Bill S. Preston, Esq. - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:21 am: Rich I 100% agree with you. The Speaker is dragging his feet/claiming it’ll take a long time so Lisa can swoop in and seemingly save the day. Just another example of the power-hungry Madigans. So much for doing what’s right by the people. Completely disgusting. - Leroy - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:21 am: What incentive does Madigan have to impeach Blago? Impeaching Blago means ever popular Lt. Gov Quinn will be governor of Illinois. And that will greatly harm Lisa’s chance for becoming governor in 2010. (Feel free to tell me about my tinfoil hat, Rich) You want Blago out of office before 2010? You better hope the Feds do it. Now if Good Man Fritchey calls for Madigan’s impeachment, because Madigan won’t impeach Blago…that would make for interesting theatre. - Oberon - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:26 am: Nothing in Rule 382 says the action has to be brought by the Illinois AG; ANY person or party can apparently start the ball rolling, including the Republican Party of Illinois. So, any blather from politicos that we are all “waiting” on Lisa is simply BS. Anyone who has the resources to put a lawyer before the Court with a motion, get to it. The Court cannot act unless it is asked to do so. As for the Court refusing to become involved, it is a co-equal branch of our Government and it is a political institution whose members are themselves ultimately partisan politicians. But are they a Court first or politicians first? Let’s find out! - Bill Baar - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:28 am: Look at the Cook County board… how many of those folks are any more competent than the Gov? Or look at the City Council… no way LM should go after the Gov on these grounds. We have a constitution and it has a process… we should follow it… and this Gov will be far from helpless in fighting back too. That’s the problem with Illinois. We look for expedients like having the Gov declared incapable. The solution is impeachment and it should be down right because the Gov is the one guy elected by the entire state, he’s not been found guilty, and he’s got a case to make if impeached. - Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:29 am: Nixon resigned b/c he realized he was going to lose. Here’s a scenario I envision. The legislature moves forward. Blagojevich sees the writing on the wall. Blago’s lawyers tell the U.S. Attorney he won’t resign unless he has a deal. The U.S. Attorney demands a guilty plea and testifying completely (including against others) in exchange for not prosecuting Patti and leniency. Blagojevich resigns with a conditional plea bargain connected to testifying. It’s a win-win for the legislature and U.S. Attorney. And while Blagojevich doesn’t exactly win, he spares himself a long, expensive trial, gets a decent sentencing deal and protects his wife. He’s not going to get a better deal at a long trial. But the ILGA has to move forward on impeachment. There’s no good excuse for not moving forward at this point. - VanillaMan - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:30 am: What I said earlier about using a legal standard as the benchmark for defining wrong behavior is clearly the problem here. The people we depend upon to take a stand against wrongdoing are more concerned about the legal arguments than they are about removing the criminal preciding over them. Imagine if this was a theater fire. Would those attending the show run out? Naturally! They wouldn’t be sitting in the seats, sending out staffers to collect information about where the fire is, how large it is, whether the fire department has been called, where the fire department is, what kind of fire fighting equipment could they expect to put out the fire, who is responsible for the fire, how it got started, whether the pyromaniac had a lawyer… No! But that is what we are seeing here! You want to know how bad Illinois government has gotten? Take a look at how stupid and foolish these “leaders” appear as they stumble around, building their legal defence teams, research the law books, and ask one another if they have a clue! Illinois government is so broken down and corrupt, it cannot handle an emergency this large within a reasonable amount of time! Let the dawdle! Let them make fools of themselves! Illinois citizens are watching this three-ring boob circus and learning just how bad their elected official are! - Greg - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:31 am: So even during a week that should see atypical legislative resolve, this state will receive nothing but political maneuvering? You’d think we could get a brief respite. - Smelly Cat - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:31 am: There is ABSOLUTLY NO reason why both Madigan’s cannot move at the SAME TIME! Move with Rule 382 in the IL Supreme Court Monday and move in the House as well! It is funny how the GA can move VERY quickly when they want to but when it comes to protecting their self-serving political rear-ends, they move as slow as a slug! Quinn needs to take office along with Cullerton in the Senate so we can actually start dealing with the mess that Emil & GRod have left us! - Phil Collins - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:32 am: Leroy, you said that impeaching Blago would cause Lt. Gov. Quinn to become governor. Blago could be impeached and not be removed from office, since the impeachment rules are similar to the rules that are used for presidents. Clinton was impeached, but he wasn’t removed from office. - Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:34 am: Unless Michael Madigan comes up with a better excuse than the ones floated so far, I’m with Leroy. There’s something self-serving about the Speaker dragging his feet on this. And most likely that something plays into Lisa Madigan’s ambition to run for governor. If Quinn has a year of successful governing under his belt, why shouldn’t he be re-elected? - Steve Brown - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:36 am: Gotta love it when Rich publishes his version of IMs…Here is the actual response SBrown8600: we spent six weeks with Heiple and voted not to impeach do you have any reason to think this will take less? Do you think Sen. Jones is ready to convene? Do you think CJ Fitzgerald will accept your standard of “evidence” … Rich believes something between no evidence and the internet version of the FBI complaint will stand up…I am not sure his view is widely shared. Let me take one minute to remind all that while some where gliding around IL on a Bus with GRod or negotiating a back room plan for the gamblers & ignoring their party platforms Madigan was warning everyone to steer clear. - Cassandra - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:37 am: Could Blago be hanging on instead of retiring because of the financial impact. $177k plus cheap health insurance and lots of perks to living on Mrs. B.’s salary, assuming she is still working at that new job, could be tough. Especially as one of the main themes in the wiretaps was the Blagos’ purported need for a higher income. It may be harder, given all the publicity, to get the Dem Machine to take care of you these days post resignation or retirement. Even with Dick Mell as your in-law. It seems trivial but if I recall correctly Gov. Rowland hung on in Connecticut for longer than he should have and many speculated that he needed the job for the money.[isnt Jodi Rell, his replacement, still governor, by the way. Very popular, too] Anyway, are the Madigans waving the red flag a little too hard, especially if it unlikely that the state court will intervene. Maybe if they cooled the rhetoric it would make it easier for him to leave on his own. Which is what most Illinoisians want, I expect. Not leave all bloodied by the Madigans and other superambitious pols of both parties. Just leave. - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:37 am: I smell a rat, too. Have Lisa save the day with Rule 382 and at the same time create a special election to take away the Senate appointment power from Quinn, so he doesn’t choose someone who’s not a member of the club. I wondered yesterday how everyone seemed to be on board with the special election so quickly. Silly me. This has been set to go for some time. MJM is taking a calculated risk that failure to move on impeachment won’t blow up in his face and harm Lisa’s future. It’s up to the public and The Mushrooms to disabuse him of that notion. Political gamesmanship in this situation should not be tolerated. If it is, then shame on us. - scoot - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:37 am: Bill, you hit the nail on the head w/ the Madigans. This state is a national disgrace because of our corrupt politicians, and with each and every growing day that Blago remains the Guv it makes us look worse and worse….IMPEACH HIM ALREADY!!! what else does it take??? - Bill Baar - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:39 am: The U.S. Attorney demands a guilty plea and testifying completely (including against others) in exchange for not prosecuting Patti and leniency. Well that’s exactly what’s got plenty of folks in a dither Carl… - VanillaMan - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:45 am: Dear Mr. Brown, Thank you for your response. Please tell your boss that everyday that Illinois has Rod Blagojevich as it’s governor is another day that ruins the state he is supposed to lead. Every 24 hours Illinois remains the laughingstock of the world damages it’s already diminished reputation. Every day Rod Blagojevich remains as governor is a slap in the face of every law abiding citizen in this state filled with citizens really tired of being slapped in the face! Emotional? You betcha! If you cannot raise at least one hackle over the events of this week you are suffering from one of the deepest political comas every encountered. Please tell your esteemed boss that we have had enough! I cannot understand how those of us dependant on state leadership do not take the hardest splintiest Lincoln rail over to the Thompson Center, hoist that SOB on it and publically throw him at the curb! Damn the lawyers! Do your job! - Leroy - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:46 am: Phil Collins - Yes, I agree. But what good would impeaching Blago and keeping him seated do for me, Joe Illinois Taxpayer? He still gets to play the game. And if you think people are howling now… - Secret Square - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:47 am: Phil, people are using “impeachment,” which really refers only to the FIRST part of the process (bringing “charges” or articles of impeachment in the House), as shorthand for the entire process of impeachment followed by a trial in the Senate and removal from office if found guilty. It is true that Bill Clinton was impeached by the U.S. House but not convicted or removed from office by the Senate. However, I really doubt that Blago is going to get off that easy. - Princess - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:53 am: I thought Lisa Madigan did a good job in her interview early this morning on CNN. She said she would know about what the GA intends to do by their actions on the special session Monday and would know more about the need of her to act by then. It appeared that if Daddy doesn’t act, daughter could and would. I don’t care who does it, just get the ball rolling. I would not want to think Emil Jones would dare hold up the process, but than this state has seen stranger things of late. - Steve - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:53 am: There is no easy way out of this.If Lisa Madigan goes to court,Blagojevich’s lawyers have a right to depose witnesses this can take quite a bit of time.The impeachment process would be even longer.So,the voters have no one to blame but themselves.When Rod ran for re-election as Governor there were ads on TV identifying him as “Public Official A”.This didn’t bother the voter of Illinois. - Reality - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:54 am: This is sickening. I think Speaker Madigan is absolutely playing politics with this and allowing Lisa to “shine” in hopes of boosting her chances in 2010. Can we throw the Speaker out too? Illinois is sick. - Reality - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:55 am: Again, where is my Republican party? Get on the horn to the media, call pressers and call a spade a spade. Shame the Speaker into doing something and at least take the moral high-ground here. - Mike Doyle - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:58 am: There’s also a simpler angle to push along a Blagojevich impeachment: simple voter disgust. At this point, given the charges here and especially the perception of the Governor created by the wiretap transcripts, any elected official who does not support getting Blago out of office as soon as possible–and in the eyes of many, that truly means impeachment–looks tainted. I can’t see how any official at this point gets away with even appearing to support Blago in any way without the electorate questions such as asking “Why?” and “What’s in it for you?” I know I feel this way. Yesterday, I called my own congressman, Danny Davis, who has said publicly he does not support impeachment to say if that’s the case, he’s lost my vote. And I mean it. I’m sure I not the only voter out there feeling this way. - Anonymous45 - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:59 am: I guess Madigan is having a difficult time pinning himself down on the impeachment issue because it will negatively impact his and his daughter’s chances at ever more influence in State government…TOO BAD!! Here’s the scenario I see: Rod will resign on or before Christmas… Lisa will accept the appointment from Gov. Quinn to Barack’s seat in the US Senate… The electorate in 2010 will elect Quinn outright to the Governor’s office, because for once they have someone who understands what a public servant should do for his constituents… Ms. Madigan is young and can run when (if) her father can ever bring himself to retire as Speaker. The manuevering by these two over the last few days has turned me a bit sour on Lisa’a ability to think of the people of the State, instead of her own political legacy… - From the Past - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 10:59 am: This quote from Lisa on CNN says a lot ===Madigan said she “won’t wait terribly long” but wants a signal from the state Legislature about whether they’ll move quickly on impeachment proceedings.=== Signal? I believe someone in the state Legislature, especially someone in the House of Representatives, would return a phone call to her if she wants a “signal”. - ILPundit - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:00 am: Mr. Brown Thank you for your response. Many press spoksepeople wouldn’t jump into a public forum like this. So kudos for that. That said — The state is in a constitutional crisis, and every signal coming from the speaker is that he is either afraid, or unwilling, to act. The General Assembly has a clear, constitutional role here. Quit ducking it. If the Speaker will not act, he should be removed, and replaced with someone who will. - You Go Boy - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:04 am: As a former Republican, I see the current “leadership” of Republicans acting as you would expect - “how can we capitalize on this thing?” What a pathetic party that it can only see daylight when darkness descends on this state. Giddy at the sight of a disastrous, loser criminal heading for prison. You are a sad group indeed…Yes, by all means capitalize, thats what parties do, but you have not (and HAVEN”T HAD) a positive action plan to lead this war torn state for years. - The Doc - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:05 am: Speaker Madigan will soon realize that his thinly veiled attempts keep the title of governor out of reach of PQ won’t fly. As the rumors fly about PQ potentially appointing LM to the open senate seat, the speaker’s actions become all the more clear. This is a legislative issue, not a judicial one. If impeachment was a realistic possibility several months ago, it is nothing short of a mandate right now. - MOON - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:07 am: Madigan is not slowing down the process! He has called for a special session on Monday! Lets wait and see what happens. Why would the speaker want to slow the process. Don’t you think he knows doing so would reflect badly on Lisa and any future aspirations she has to be governor. Lets not forget, it was the speaker who stood up to Blago and his way of doing business. The speaker has fought this battle for almost 6 years. How many of you continuously criticized the speaker for not going along with Blago. Now you criticize him for taking a measured course in this fiasco. Madigan will do the correct thing at the right time. Direct your frustrations at the true culprits, including the current Dem. and Rep. leaders in the House and Senate who played ball with with Blago. Now , these same charecters are trying to push forward without at least considering the ramifications. These so caled “leaders are spineless”. Rich, you should be ashamed with yourself for raising this issue. You , of all people, know that the speaker takes action only after consideration of the cosequences. Take a deep breath and let the story unfold!!! Quit fanning the flames, its pure hypocrisy! - Anonentity - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:07 am: The Speaker ™ is slowing the process to allow his daughter to act like a leader. This is more of the same. Madigan (Mike) is little better than Blago, although not as insane. This is a man that makes millions off of his “public servant” role by shaking down Illinois companies for property tax legal work. And, now, instead of trying to (finallY) put the people ahead of politics in the wake of this political corruption crime spree, he is angling to hand the Gov office to Lisa. She has been a fine AG, but really, this is more of the same. As Rich says, get on with it already. Impeach and move forward. I can’t believe Lisa and Mike are screwing around with this given all that has happened in the last two days. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:08 am: Moon, bite me. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:09 am: ===Again, where is my Republican party? === Did you not see the press release? - Capitol View - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:09 am: There are two developments here - the appointment of the US Senator, and the removal of Blago from office. Mike Madigan should call a council of Democratic leaders together to select a Blue Ribbon consensus candidate for the position, and then demand that Blago appoint the person because the Dems in Washington need the extra vote ASAP. (Also, a special election means no one currently in office risks his or her post by running in it - Mark Kirk or others might win in an election at this moementary time of anger against all state officials and all Democrats who have tolerated Blago up until now.) On the governor himself, if he has not resigned / cut a deal with the prosectors by next Monday, start the ball rolling towards impeachment. Schedule two House days for it, and two Senate days. Get ‘er done! - GA Watcher - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:11 am: I agree that the State needs to move forward with impeachment. If anything, it may, like it did with his hero, Richard Nixon, force Blagojevich to resign. We should all step back and take a breath, however. It is not going to be the slam dunk we all wish it could be. As much as we may despise the man and want our State to move forward, our Constitutions guarantee Blagojevich due process. Chief Justice Fitzgerald will see to that in any trial held in the Senate. Given this, the House will have to make sure that whatever articles they draft is tight. Can that be done in a few days? weeks? That I think will depend on how well the US Attorney’s office is willing to share information/evidence. Given how they are in the throws of their own investigation, they may not be as cooperative as we might think or want them to be. Second, Emil Jones controls the Governor’s fate. We’ll he give in to the pressure of his fellow Senators and allow a trial to move forward on his watch? His past relationship with the Governor says, no. However, if he still has designs on the US Senate seat, he may. Rich suggests that the House go ahead and prepare the articles of impeachment now and they can be carried over to the next General Assembly ala a new grand jury if Senator Jones doesn’t allow a trial in the current session. I’m not so sure that can happen, again because of due process considerations. The new General Assembly may have to re-do the whole articles process. The problem is that there are no rules/laws governing this situation and no case law that I am aware of. Finally, I have to wonder whether the approach the AG has suggested doesn’t play into the strategy of Blagojevich’s defense team. I would presume that to show he is unfit to serve, she will have to prove some psychological disorder. If the Supreme Court agrees, Blago’s defense team can cop an insanity plea in the criminal case. - True Observer - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:11 am: Let’s use logic. None of the combine want Blago to sing until much later, if then. So, it is in their interest to not impeach but drag things out and make like something is being done. Only 2 options: 1. Appoint Phil Hare who the Senate will seat nothwithstanding their mealy mouth letter to Blago. Notice they didn’t say they wouldn’t seat anyone. 2. Have Blago do the plea bargain and appoint Quinn to Senate and then resign and let Madigan have the Mansion keys. They can’t afford the special election and 60% chance of lose it to Kirk. - ILPundit - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:15 am: Moon — The Speaker has not truly fought the battle as you allege. He has slow walked his way through an ongoing crisis of leadership. He appraoch to the stalemate has been passive/aggresive in the extreme. Voting down the Governor’s legislation in the House does not address the true problem — which is the crook on the second floor. There is a big problem for Illinois, and Democrats in particular. And our party chair and Speaker is going out of his way to avoid addressing it. I mean, seriously, a special session to change the rules for the Senate appointment. Wow! I’m overwhelmend by the leadership. Not. - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:15 am: Phil Hare for Senate? Where in the world is that coming from? - MOON - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:17 am: RICH Thank you for the ” Mature and Reasoned Response” The sign of a “Real Pro”. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:18 am: Again, bite me. - Reality - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:20 am: Give us a break MOON. Rich brings a valid point and your claim that MJM is not slowing down the process is just crazytalk. If MJM wanted he could have (and should have) convened the House the day after the arrest of Blago. Give me a break. They got the House together faster on other far less important issues. - OneMan - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:21 am: What if the GOP filed their own 328 (or whatever motion) now? - Johnny USA - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:22 am: If Blago really wants to screw the people of Illinois, he’d appoint Quinn to the senate seat and then resign, pretty much giving the Madigans control of Illinois. - Oberon - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:23 am: Hey! Rule 382 and Impeachment are two distinctly different processes with distinctly different outcomes. They are not substitutes for each other! Get the guy’s hands off the reins of government, then dither about impeachment as long as you like. ANY State Officer or Offical who has called for the Governor to resign, any political operative who has done the same, YOU should be over at the Supreme Court Building with a Motion and Complaint in hand! Why ain’t ya?? And impeachment doesn’t need to include any of the allegations in the Federal Complaint. Lord knows the list of the Governor’s constitutional misdeeds is long enough, and there is no “statute of limitations” on impeachable offenses. Oh! And the Court MIGHT ask for a response from the Governor, but it can do anything it wants, including granting the Motion and acting on the Complaint forthwith and without further delay. If the Governor was in a coma or certifiably insane, no one would ask him for a defense. The only way to find out what the Court will do is to ask it to act. Get ‘er done! - True Observer - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:25 am: “Phil Hare for Senate? Where in the world is that coming from? Process of elimination. There are only 2 Dem congressmen far removed from the stench of Chicago. Phil Hare and the other is from Madison/St.Clair area. So that leave Phil Hare. - Jaded - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:26 am: I don’t want him impeached. If it looks like he is going to be impeached, he might cut a deal with the feds and resign. I don’t want him to resign. I want him to dig in and fight, lose and then go away for a very long time. The longer he remains Governor, the better the chances he will try to fight this thing and get whacked with a hefty sentence. What is he going to do if he remains in office? The GA will act as if he were a non-entity and do whatever they want anyway. Any vetoes will be overridden because who would want to risk an ad saying they agree with him. It is only two more years or less, so what is the big deal. We’ve had this maniac for 6 years already (thanks to our current blue Democratic dominated electorate), what’s a couple more going to hurt? Six feet isn’t deep enough for this grave. I want him to keep on digging. - Stop and think, people - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:27 am: Regarding impeachment, you have to realize that the General Assembly would be making history here and set precedent for all future General Assemblies. This isn’t something that can be thrown together. Everyone wants this guy gone, but any impeachment proceeding must be done correctly and with care. Plus, most of the “evidence” is from the feds, and do you really think any of those people are going to provide testimony for the House? So basically, the General Assembly impeaches and convicts based on a federal document with no corroborating evidence. We all know this guy is guilty as hell, but what if a future Governor (and I dont mean Lisa) is the subject of an investigation, and based on the investigation the General Assembly impeaches? What stops every state’s attorney from investigating governors, or judges, or anyone susseptible to impeachment? I think it is incredibly ignorant to try to claim the Speaker would hold up impeachment proceedings because he wants his daughter to have the opportunity to take action. That’s a slap in the face to an Attorney General who has worked harder than most of the previous AGs. - Bill - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:31 am: HA HA …Moon got a bite me. Twice! - GOP Clock - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:32 am: I think the GOP need a clock on their Website counting the days/hours/minutes the Democrats have done nothing since Blago’s arrest… - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:33 am: –So that leave Phil Hare.– Well, on the bright side, with a Hare appointment, the Senate would never again derisively be called the World’s Greatest Debating Society. I was a reporter in the Quad-Cities for a number of years. Give me a break on the “stench” stuff. - Reality - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:34 am: “A new poll by Rasmussen Reports says 84 percent in Illinois want Gov. Blagojevich to quit”. The other 16% of those polled must be members of the Combine. - Keep Smiling - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:36 am: If the media brings this perceived conflict of interest to the public light, MJM and LM both run the risk of being viewed very negatively; it would appear to be another case of of politicians strategizing for the highest personal benefit, while the disempowered people of IL helplessly watch from the sidelines. I would urge all legislators - at least those that hope to have another term - to “steer clear” of any scent of personal gain or personal concern, and to transparently and responsibly impeach the man who has devastated the public’s trust in holders of elected office and debased the Office of Governor. - Reddbyrd - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:37 am: Sounds/looks like Capt Fax still full of the silly sauce. - GOP'er - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 11:51 am: Wonderful, Andy McKenna woke up on Tuesday after hearing of Blago’s arrest and decided he was a reformer. This of course after he’s fought reform in his own party since day one of his tenure as State GOP Chair. Don’t forget, Andy McKenna is the same guy the cesspool wanted to run against Peter Fitzgerald for Senate (if necessary) in the 2004 primary. And if Andy’s puppeteers had their way, we would have some lapdog as U.S. Attorney today, not Patrick Fitzgerald. McKenna should go crawl back into his hole. He’s got no credibility on these issues. - Deep South - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:03 pm: I would think that if the GA doesn’t get the removal process moving and get it moving quick…Illinois voters will remember the foot dragging the next time they go to the polls. Those running against the incumbents would have an easy issue…politics as usual despite an overwhelming sense that Blago needs to go. - TaxMeMore - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:18 pm: Not only are Illinois voters stupid, but they are wimps. How many people from Illinois showed up for Obama’s election night party? How many people from Illinois were at his campaign announcement? There should be TWICE as many people camped outside Rod Blagojevich’s home and Chicago office with pitchforks and torches demanding his immediate resignation. There should be a mob of Illinois voters, that really care about change and that really believed the Obama hype that they were the change they seek, blocking Rod Blagojevich from leaving his home to go to the Governor’s office and another mob of voters at his office keeping Rod Blagojevich from going into the Governor’s office. And this should be a complete no-brainer for Illinois Republicans and independents. Illinois voters screwed up royally. If they had any guts or pride or even a care in the world for their fellow citizens they would fix it themselves. You can’t wait for Michael Madigan to figure out the best political angle on how to deal with impeachment that will make him look good and his daughter look good to replace Blago. You can’t wait for Patrick Fitzgerald and the legitimately slow balances of justice. You can’t wait for Rod Blagojevich to come to his senses and resign. You need to fix it. Go buy a pitchfork and head for Chicago or at least spread the word. 100,000 people outside Rod Blagojevich’s home and office demanding his resignation should do the trick. If not, it will at least keep him from going to work. And it would maybe show the rest of this country that Illinoisans have at least a little of bit of a spine and half a brain. GO NOW. REMOVE BLAGOJEVICH FROM OFFICE YOURSELF. YOU ARE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK. PEACE! - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:25 pm: I think what you’re seeing from Quinn today, with his change on special election and his call for impeachment, is that he is the reason for the rush to action on the first front and the foot-dragging on the second. - wordslinger - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:27 pm: Tax, it’s hard to find a quality pitchfork this time of year. Snow shovel, maybe. Pitchforks and peace, huh? - Just Sayin' - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:36 pm: Rich, There’s another reason to start impeachment proceedings quickly: It tends to spur a resignation. Many an officeholder has quit their post rather than try to fight an impeachment, even some very stubborn ones. If you want an example, see what happened to Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann once House Dems started drafting impeachment articles and the gov (along with all the other statewide Dems) demanded that he resign. Talk about impeachment doesn’t really faze people. But once the wheels start in motion, it makes a lot of people think twice. - 618er - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 12:50 pm: There is probably a fairly decent conflict of interest here in starting impeachment proceedings. Correct me if I am wrong… Everyone and their brother/sister have come out demanding the governor resign, Every republican, the president elect, several Democrat U.S. representative, several democrat state reps, One group seems to be eerily quiet, the State central committee members. Maybe Mr. Speaker is having a conversation with the committee or maybe even Mr Speaker has shared a couple of meals of late with the state chairman…. Oh WAIT. Maybe the reasoning behind not proceeding with impeachment has little to do with who or how the next US senator gets put in, or who will succeed the governor, when US attorney Fitzgerald has diligently given Blago his due process. Maybe is has more to do with damage control for the party. There is a huge conflict of interest here. The state committee should be standing together to demand the Party’s biggest stain is removed from office. But instead, they have to deliberate how best to save face for the party instead of doing what every citizen in state seems to want. Mr speaker said earlier in the year that this impeachment process would be a black stain on Illinois history, or something to that affect. Well Mr Speaker where does it all go from here? - Captain America - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:00 pm: Impeachment is really a slam dunk. The Governor’s words on the wire are sufficient to convict him/warrant an immediate removal from office. The facts speak for themselves. I can’t think of a single interpretation of the facts that anyone would believe that would warrant any delay. It’s time for a legitimate political lynching. Given the political will of the Democratic leadership, it would be possible to remove him from office in a week. I don’t see any need for due process other than letting the Governor speak in his own defense in a Senate trial. Impeachmnet is a political process, not a legal process. It’s a cut and dried decision. Governor Pinocchio is a dead duck. I don’t really care who gains of loses from the prompt resignation. 382 removal, or impeachment. Just do it! As far as I am concerned impeachment could/should be done by Christmas, or at least before the New Year. Let’s put this long State nightmare behind us. We’ve got a genuine fiscal and economic emergency on our hands, and no one thinks Governor Pinocchio has the ability to do his job anymore.He’s a malignant cancer on our body politic. Pingback ArchPundit | It’s Not Complicated - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:01 pm: […] Steve Brown’s points about the problems of a quick impeachment as conveyed to Rich: […] - jerry - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:19 pm: Why the rush? There are at least two safeguards in place that will prevent Blagojevich from filling Obama’s Senate seat with himself or some other sleeze. Jesse White can refuse to certify and, failing that, the Senate itself is empowered to reject a Blagojevich appointment. The Senate is the final authority on it’s membership. The Democrats in DC don’t have a huge reason to be in a hurry on the subject, they don’t have a large enough majority to block the filibuster motion, but they have a large enough majority to control the chamber. The local Democrats have a lot to be worried about and should take the time to figure out the lay of the land. First, if the impeachment fails to remove the Gov, then it will be very bad for Democrats in 2010. They need to punish Blago publicly and effectively and make it known that it is the Democrats punishing one of their own to save their own hides. So, Madigan needs to make sure he’ll get a supermajority of House Dems voting for Impeachment and he needs to know that the State Senate will remove, and such a removal will be supported by a super majority of Democratic Senators. Rod is not going to be able to effectively veto anything anymore. He’s got very little political power left. It shouldn’t be hard to muster a veto override vote when it’s Blagojevich doing the vetoes. At the same time, there are deals to be made and political impacts to be assessed. Should there be a special election? Or will any Senate appointee now look tainted? Even if Quinn does the appointment, people are going to ask if he cut a deal to get someone Madigan likes into the Senate in exchnage for Madigan killing the special election bill and speeding Quinn into office. They have to assess the potential fallout of Blago going “tell-all” on the rest of the party. Although it would mean turning the State over to the Republicans, if Blago were to testify and bring down half of the State Dem party, well that could be a good thing in terms of reducing the endemic corruption in the state. Who knows? Maybe Blagojevich can provide a route to the 5th floor? I would welcome it, but Madigan and the rest of the State party are going to have to figure out what kind of damage Blagojevich can do. And, they need to figure out what to do with the Senate seat. A special election could result in losing the seat to a Republican. Letting Quinn make the appointment could result in a wildcard or some signs that maybe Quinn is tainted. The best option may be to let Blagojevich know who would be willing to serve for 2 years and step down, and is acceptable to the powers that be. It’s a very sticky situation, and it seems like whenever a legislature (be it Local, State, or Fed) respond to a crisis by doing something, anything quickly, we end up with a crappy, poorly considered response that everybody hates at the end of the day. Better to take a little time and do it right. - Secret Square - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:22 pm: Concerning the potential scenario of Quinn becoming governor and appointing Lisa Madigan to the Senate seat: 1. She doesn’t HAVE to accept the appointment if offered. 2. Even if she does, what’s to prevent her from coming back to run for governor in two years? She would very likely be a national figure, even as a freshman or placeholder Senator, due to the circumstances of this appointment; plus she would still have her record as AG here to run on. Meanwhile, Quinn, although likely to have far higher approval ratings than Blago, would have to wear the jacket for the economic and fiscal train wreck bearing down upon the state. If the economy really tanks badly, more severe cuts have to be made and a substantial tax increase passes on Quinn’s watch, the power of incumbency might not be of much help to him in getting re elected. Hence, MJM and Lisa may not have as much to fear from this scenario as one might think. - Captain America - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:29 pm: Ditto on Archpundit’s interpretation. Get Blago out of office immediately - one way or the other. It’s a political decision, not a legal process. As far as I am concerned prompt removal from office is a “no brainer.” Rule 382 might be the most expeditious way to get the job done, if the Supreme Court were willing to act. Personally, I think it’s a constitutional emergency to remove a sociopathic Chief Executive from office. There is no precedent that governs this partiularly egregious situation. Elliot Spitzer and others resigned promptly for much less serious offenses. Blago won’t go until he’s pushed over the precipice. - MOON - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:36 pm: JERRY I for one am positive the speaker will do the right thing, and it is nice to hear there are others who think likewise. Enough with these unfouned rumors that appear on this web site. Lets wait and see what happens on Monday: or for that matter, before Monday! - True Observer - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 1:37 pm: “2. Even if she does, what’s to prevent her from coming back to run for governor in two years? She would very likely be a national figure, even as a freshman” She would owe Quinn “appreciation”. - Cat - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 6:23 pm: Mr. Brown: Thanks for participating in this forum. It has always been a pleasure to see you, Rep. Fritchey and Steve Schnorf add information that one understands is credible. While Mr. Madigan has been up front about warning people not to deal with the Governor, he still served as co-chair of his re-election campaign in 2006, and didn’t heed his own advice. State employees have been witness to many illegal and unethical actions over the past six years, and can’t understand why Mr. Madigan is not prepared for impeachment. After all, he asked Mr. Mapes to begin preparations for impeachment this summer. Months have gone by, while we have been waiting for the ‘right time’. Now is the RIGHT time, and the legislature must act. Every action of state government is suspect while Blago is governor. Agency management is unsure about what to do next. It is imperative that he be removed as soon as possible, and I, for one, believe that it can be completed before the next legislature is sworn in. The legislature may have to miss some quality holiday time, but now is the time to put your noses to the grindstone. Git ‘er done! - Cornerfield - Thursday, Dec 11, 08 @ 8:44 pm: The foot dragging and hand wringing and concerns about being cautious, etc. for legality’s sake is making me pull my hair out. Get rid of this dude already. He needs to be excised from the state like you would flick off a tick you found crawling up your arm. Let the legal worry warts discuss and argue all they want during the criminal trial as the Federal court decides whether to put the flame to him or not. - emyjo - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 1:14 am: I can’t believe this scandal just broke out and Madigan is getting criticized for not having an Impeachment Hearing like say Friday. Give it a break. Tell me one Leader in Springfield besides Madigan that actually stood up to this corrupt Governor. After Madigan does the right thing and starts the impeachment process next week what will be his crazy motive be then?? You give this guy way too much “Machiavellian” motives. Besides, I don’t think Madigan Sr. has much to worry about concerning his daughter Lisa’s potential Governor’s candidacy. If Lisa ran against a Pat Quinn that had done a good job which I am sure he would do, I for one like her chances. Lisa Madigan has done a great job as AG and I think she has great support throughout this state. And also…Pat Quinn is a cabable guy but he wasn’t exactly Blago’s harshest critic over the years. The man also has some baggage. When the time comes the people will decide on a number of great candidates running for Governor. The good news is that they all will be I am sure heads and shoulders better than Blago. People are angry and want this man out now and that is understandable. However, let the ink dry a little on this complaint before tarnishing this corrupt governor’s harshest critic. I for one am grateful that at least one of the four leaders slowed him down. Without a doubt Madigan fought him the hardest and he deserves our respect on that. Now you know why Madigan never took his phone calls!!! Let the impeachment process begin. I can wait through the weekend. - Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 2:47 am: ===I can’t believe this scandal just broke out and Madigan is getting criticized=== Welcome to the 21st Century, bub. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.