* Chris Cilliza of the Washington Post gets it…
Obama’s own election has caused a problem, as embattled Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who continues to mull running for a third term in 2010, is solely charged with picking a successor – and any tie to Blagojevich could endanger a nominee’s election in 2010.
Your darn tootin’. And it doesn’t help that the governor is calling the appointment a Christmas present…
He’s no Santa Claus, but Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday that he plans to give someone the gift of a U.S. Senate seat for Christmas. […]
“I’m looking forward to being even more giving this holiday season than I have in the past,” Blagojevich said, touting the state’s annual food and clothing drive. “And I’ll also give somebody a U.S. Senate seat for Christmas.”
The TV ad writes itself.
* President-Elect Barack Obama is rapidly filling up his Cabinet, Veep-Elect Joe Biden’s replacement has been named (and Biden hasn’t even resigned yet), but Gov. Blagojevich still can’t make up his mind on our new US Senator. I’m guessing part of the reason for the delay is that he loves the rare positive attention and adulation from politicos. The Obama replacement also allows him to talk to reporters without fielding pesky questions about Tony Rezko. It’s a win-win for the guv.
The Sun-Times attempts to be helpful today and endorses Jesse Jackson, Jr. for the open seat…
Above all, we believe, Jackson shares the values and goals of the president-elect, a consideration of no small importance to us in making this endorsement. The voters of Illinois chose Obama twice — first for the Senate and then for president — and they deserve a replacement who fully shares the president-elect’s agenda
I guess all the lobbying, politicking and polling were just fine with the CS-T. Frankly, I thought he made a fool of himself. But here’s Jackson’s explanation…
“Anyone who is not campaigning for this office in one form or another is not taking the process as seriously as it has to be taken,” Jackson said Tuesday on WTTW-Ch. 11’s “Chicago Tonight.”
Except that’s not what his spokesman said last week…
Bryant said Jackson is not actively campaigning for the appointment, tempering reports the congressman was making concerted efforts to get the post.
So, which is it?
* The Hill jumps the gun…
A slip of the tongue from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) is fueling speculation that Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) could be chosen as President-elect Barack Obama’s replacement in the Senate.
Blagojevich referred to Davis as “senator,” according to the Associated Press. The lawmaker has expressed an interest in the position and the governor said Davis would make a great senator.
They should’ve waited for the full story…
Gov. Blagojevich said it twice — “Where’s Sen. Davis?” — with a sly smile, but also with an assured tone. […]
But Blagojevich — who along with Davis was visiting homeless people at a Chicago Christian Industrial League Thanksgiving meal Thursday — quickly let it be known that he still hasn’t made his choice about who should fill the remaining two years of Obama’s Senate term.
It’s customary in Springfield to half-jokingly refer to someone who is up for a new office by said office’s moniker, hence the “Senator” reference.
* Congresscritter Davis recently provoked a guffaw from MSNBC’s First Read blog…
Per a press release from the office of Rep. Danny Davis, an African-American congressman considered one of the front-runners for the appointment, Illinois supporters will be holding an event today to “announce their support and urge Governor Blagojavich to appoint Congressman Danny K. Davis to replace President-Elect Obama as U. S. Senator.”
Whoops.
Blagojavich?
* As you probably already know, Luis Gutierrez essentially took himself out of the running for Obama’s seat…
Gutierrez met with Gov. Blagojevich and told the governor he would like to be a “caretaker” senator for the next two years working to get comprehensive immigration reform passed in the Senate instead of fund-raising to get re-elected to the Senate in 2010, Gutierrez said.
But Blagojevich said he was looking for someone who wanted the post long-term, Gutierrez said. “It’s basically over — unless he calls me back,” Gutierrez said.
* Meanwhile, the governor is heading to Philadelphia to meet with President-Elect Obama tomorrow…
- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he’ll travel to Philadelphia this week to join his peers at a meeting of the National Governors Association.
President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden are expected to speak to the group Tuesday at Independence Hall.
Blagojevich says he wants to use the meeting with Obama to discuss how the federal government can help address state budget shortfalls.
Apparently, Blagojevich can’t just wander over to Obama’s downtown Chicago transition office. Obama is headquartered in the federal building, so that may be off limits.
This, of course, gives us another opportunity to stroll down memory lane…
Caption?
…Adding… The Bill for Senate FaceBook group is now up to 330 members. Join today!
- Pat collins - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:34 pm:
And STAY AWAY from DC!
- GoBearsss - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:37 pm:
President-elect Obama sets up a life-size cardboard cut-out of Governor Blagojevich in his backyard.
- Bill Baar - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:41 pm:
Did someone say there were reasons the Gov couldn’t name himself?
- bored now - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:42 pm:
ROD: can i play on the white house basketball court?
BARACK: i don’t think you’d survive the playground rules.
ROD: but i have an unbelievable hook shot!
- Beowulf - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:46 pm:
Barack: I am really going to miss you and Tony.
Rod: What the heck are you talking about? You are the one in charge of pardons and commutations, aren’t you? Durbin said that you got us covered. Just don’t forget who your friends were.
- Not Steve Brown - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:46 pm:
“You are too much for me, Rod! I wish I knew how to quit you.”
- Reality - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:46 pm:
“you ain’t nothing but a hound dog and you ain’t no friend of mine.”
- 2ConfusedCrew - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:46 pm:
“Look Blagoof, I may be willing to meet you out in the woods, but don’t think I will stand next to you in Philly or Omaha or Warsaw. BTW name someone to the friggin seat alrady. I know that as the Blagoof pick,they will get creamed unless Dan Rutherford wins the primary, but hey who really cares? We survived six years with Petey Fitzgerald didn’t we.”
- Gameplan - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:48 pm:
Don’t you get it? I’m going to be helping with infrastructure and need you to get out of the way so the people of Illinois have schools and roads. Now scoot!
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:50 pm:
“The Sox won the Series…I won the oval…you and the cubs-anything? really?”
- You Go Boy - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:50 pm:
“Dude, you got the biggest hair and weakest shoulders of anybody I know!!”
- Bluefish - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 1:52 pm:
Now when I put this apple on your head and aim my bow and arrow don’t move…heh…heh…
- Toni H. - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
“Wipe that goofy smile off your face bub - your in deep do-do - don’t call me - I’ll call you (yeah - like not in this lifetime!).”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
“There’s a plane waiting for us to take us to Miami in an hour. Allright? Don’t make a big thing about it.”
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:14 pm:
Rich, you beat me with the Michael and Fredo.
Obama: “A job? No, not exactly, Rod, but there’s a very good chance there will be an opening for you in a federal institution in the near future.”
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:14 pm:
“That’s right. Shoulders back, stand up straight. Then I’ll put the apple on your head and . . .”
- OneMan - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:16 pm:
Rod: Ow you are hurting my shoulder…
Obama: Stay the heck away from me, don’t call me, don’t even act like you know me.
Rod: But…
Obama: Seriously Elvis, I have people…
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
Obama: Let me understand this cause, you know maybe it’s me, but I’m funny how? I mean funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I’m here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny? How am I funny, what is so funny about me? Tell me, tell me what’s funny!
- Kevin Fanning - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:24 pm:
Rod: I was thinking maybe after my time is up you could appoint me Ambassador to Serbia?
Barack: Hope is a wonderful thing isn’t it?
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:29 pm:
My apologies, the William Tell reference had already been used. Ooops.
- Levois - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:35 pm:
Obama to Blagojevich: What I need you to do is get lost!
- zatoichi - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
B: But I didn’t mean for that to happen.
O: Hey, stop whining, man up, and take of business.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:52 pm:
BHO: “Not here. Not here. We’ll ‘talk’ in Philadelphia when I speak to a large crowd of governors.”
- Truthful James - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
“Kiss me, Baby, nothing makes me sick.”
- Bill - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:58 pm:
RB:You’re not wired are ya, Bro?
- forfun - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:59 pm:
Yes, of course, I would be proud to serve as your Secretary of Goofy”
- Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 2:59 pm:
BHO: “Remember, you don’t know me, never knew me and we have never met. Got it!”
- BrashFink - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:10 pm:
We’ll be here for you Rod… always (what you cannot see is the crossed fingers behind his back).
- Anon is Me - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:10 pm:
Owww, Barry! Don’t squeeze so hard. No, I mean your right hand.
- North of I-80 - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:36 pm:
“Look you stoop, I’m NOT pardoning Tony and NOT putting you in my Cabinet but if Sharpton doesn’t want to be US Attorney Chicago, YOU can have it”
- Vote Quimby! - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:37 pm:
Don’t even think of asking me for a pardon again!
- ArchPundit - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:44 pm:
Now listen, Rod, don’t think about 2008. Think about 2058. You and me, we’ll be dead and gone, then, Rod. What do you want left after you, when you die? Do you want a great big marble monument that reads, ‘Rod Blagojevich: He Built.’ Or do you want a little piece of pine board lying across that harsh caliche soil that reads, ‘Rod Blagojevich: He Stole.’
- anon - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 3:53 pm:
Some more real change for America!
- Ahem - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:27 pm:
“Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.”
“You don’t understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let’s face it.”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:31 pm:
Charlie!!! They took my thumb!!!
- Anon from BB - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:42 pm:
BHO: Rod, you have got to straighten this ship of state out…
RB: Oh look, a kitty!
- 47th Ward - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:48 pm:
Stop! I’ve heard it a million times: the little black girl thought you were Mayor Daley. It isn’t funny today, it wasn’t funny five years ago. Get some new material.
- GOPJay - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:50 pm:
BO: Don’t worry, I will get you and George rooms next to each other so you have someone to talk to.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 4:57 pm:
BO: “Rahm, are you done with the duct tape around the ankles? We need to get his torso too.”
- Little Egypt - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 5:02 pm:
BHO: I believe my good friend Bill will be the perfect one to fill my unexpired term in the U.S. Senate.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 5:27 pm:
POTUS-E: “Give up on that stupid idea of consolidating the pensions! It’s bad for the people!”
RRB: “That’s not me! It’s Filan and Atwood!”
POTUS-E: “Then tell them to peddle their papers to some other numbskull.”
- DHee - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 6:07 pm:
BHO: “Now understand this: I’m the one that gets to ride around in the big black SUVs with real security detail. And I don’t need someone to carry a hairbrush.”
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 6:23 pm:
Now, who’d you say also was supported by Rezco???
- downhereforyears - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 7:00 pm:
I swear Rod, if you mess up my chances to become POTUS I will not only wipe that stupid smile off your face, but have my secret service agents cut that stupid hairdo.
- Dirtybird - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 8:40 pm:
RB: “Ya know, there are times I consider myself the first African-American Gover….
BO: “Shut the hell up Rod.”
- 22skidoo - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 8:52 pm:
BHO: You’re right, Rod. It _does_ suck to be you.
- Deep Water - Monday, Dec 1, 08 @ 9:02 pm:
“Change”? or is that a roll of quarters big boy?
- Boone Logan Square - Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 12:53 am:
“Seriously!? YOU think you’re gonna be president?”
- Beowulf - Tuesday, Dec 2, 08 @ 8:44 am:
Barack: “Seriously man, the Republican Party is looking for guys just like you. Consider it a move up in your career.”
Rod: “Geez, I never thought of it that way.”