67 Comments - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 12:45 pm: Anyone besides me notice Harry Reid’s claim that Blago is going to be indicted within a few days? I wonder if Reid really has talked to Fitz and knows this for a fact, or is he mistaken or misinformed, given that Fitz just asked for a 3-month extension. - Six Degrees of Separation - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:02 pm: One man’s “few days” is another man’s few months, I guess. And am I the only one who got an earworm of “We Are The World” when I saw the quote “we are the Senator”? - been there before - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:03 pm: Mistaken or misinformed….only way it comes down is if routine motion for extension of time is denied next week (unlikely). - Vote Quimby! - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:07 pm: Ummm….some advice for anyone in this predicament: do not skip the Sunday morning talk shows. In no way can it make you look good by not showing up. And, welcome back Rich! - Six Degrees of Separation - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:11 pm: Quimby…glancing at Reid’s new conciliatory tone today (with the obligatory “Senate still has the authority to refuse seating”), MTP, FTN, et al may be superseded by the back room deal. - Reality Check - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:24 pm: It is interesting to recall Harry Reid’s background. He played hardball with a lot of unsavory characters during five years as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission - Reid’s wife survived a retaliatory attempt to firebomb her car - so Rod is a dime-store punk in comparison. There is also a great story about Reid calling the feds after being approached to take a bribe. He wired up to help the FBI nail the guy offering him cash - sound familiar? The kicker is, when the guy offered him the bribe on tape, Reid responded by calling the guy an SOB and choking him! Priceless. Rod’s out of his depth. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:34 pm: “We are the Senator”? I thought only kings/queens and popes ever called themselves “We.” And even they don’t do that anymore. Someone ought to tell Burris that “We are not amused.” - 2ConfusedCrew - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 1:48 pm: Let us also remember that it was Blagoof and his agents who leaked Rezko/Obama land deal to the media. He is,of course, capable of adopting a Hindenberg/ Waco strategy as he stumbles through his twisted world. Actually it seems to be his first instinct - Levois - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 2:19 pm: I agree the racial angle is fantasy. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 2:30 pm: Interesting, too, that Bill Richardson decided to pull out as Commerce Secretary because of an ethical cloud hanging over him… although comparing his “cloud” to Blago’s is probably like comparing an ordinary thunderstorm to an F-5 tornado. - Officer Friendly - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 2:34 pm: State Police Director Larry Trent……. have access to such federal security intelligence and could relay it to the governor….Is is just me or is anyone else not confronted that the former Celini casino security chief and enactor of most GRod ISP schemes still on the “o.k.” list? …. - what's up - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 2:48 pm: Ok now that we have heard all the chatter the facts! The senate has not a leg to stand on to deny Senator Burris, whether we like rod or not is moot. He did not appoint himself so there is no ethical question they will try to refer this to the Senate rules committee which by the way Sen. Reid and Durbin sit on but this will simply delay the seating of Senator Burris not stop it. We have about thirteen months till the next election so anyone wanting to run should run then. Anybody who thinks if Pat Quinn gets in office that he will not be under pressure to at least name another african american is sadly mistaken! - So Many Questions - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 2:48 pm: If it takes a high level security clearance to receive the information, wouldn’t it be illegal/unethical to pass it along to someone who is not cleared to receive it? - Pot calling kettle - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:04 pm: SMQ - My thoughts exactly! A good way to lose your security clearance is to pass on the information you get to someone who had their clearance revoked. - Little Egypt - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:16 pm: SMQ and POK, you both know exactly what will happen though. The only info that will be passed to Blago from Trent is is his password. Bet on it! - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:21 pm: let’s get technical. What does it mean to lose “federal security information”? Didn’t the states make do before Homeland Security? Suppose there is a threat that terrorists are going to detonate an atomic bomb in Chicago. What exactly is it that the governor is needed for? It’s the City Police and the FBI that take care of business. Of course, he could like Broderick Crawford have all state police cars converge on Chicago. This is all just silly stuff made to sound important. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:21 pm: If I were giving advice to Pat Quinn (and thank God I’m not , I would simply suggest he not comment on the Senate mess at all until Rod is safely out of office and he has become governor. Then, he should await the results of the U.S. Senate review of Burris’ credentials before making any further decision. If the Senate finds that Burris is fit to serve and was not guilty of any wrongdoing in relation to his appointment, Quinn should just let Burris keep the seat until the end of the term. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:22 pm: The Office of the Governor is still the Chief Executive of the State and the Commander in Chief of the National Guard. The Office Is responsible for the security of the State of Illinois and its population. That position in an emergency (terrorism or other) would be entitled to and require the necessary intelligence to act responsibly. Still all that being said I wish the incumbent were someone else and more “dependable”! - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:29 pm: “Quinn should just let Burris keep the seat until the end of the term.” Quinn will have no say so over it. He might “reappoint” Burris to make it look good and provide cover for Reid and Durbin. Burris is the Senator and he will receive back pay and seniority to the day he was appointed. - DuPage Dave - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:38 pm: This is so much more fun than the Ravens-Dolphins game. Any bets out there as to what happens this week in the House? My impression is that Mike Madigan has been sharpening his knife for a long time and is ready to finish Blago off. Also- I have a relative in Nevada who knows Harry Reid and, yes, he’s a tough cookie. He may not be the best majority leader in Senate history, but no one should doubt his personal integrity. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:39 pm: TO, what I am thinking is either that Quinn should reaffirm the appointment Burris legally (as far as we know) received from Blago, or just do nothing at all. What he definitely should NOT do is try to appoint someone else, which will only add to the confusion. - Blago Sphere - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 3:54 pm: Never do wear a tinfoil hat; but I am headed off to church to pray for the good citizens of Illinois. Please let me know if I am out of the penalty box so that I can post a few salient questions for all to consider when I return later. P.S. The SIC Rules on ex parte communication only prohibit members of the Committee from discussing matters pending before the Committee or within the scope of the Committee’s investigation with the Governor or his counsel. Since a number of them have been on the television or radio already; none of them should have any qualms about talking to you and be quoted on the record, since they make up their own rules as they go along. - phocion - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 4:01 pm: The Sun-Times has sunk to a new low in journalistic ethics. This is clearly a hatchet job inspired to instill racial hatred and distrust - a clear violation of journalistic ethics. The only “source” they quote to back up their claim that Reid tried to torpedo any minority candidate is the Governor’s office itself. This is the same Governor who invited Bobby Rush up at the Burris announcement to talk about lynching. If the tapes don’t confirm that Reid said what the headline says (not to mention the sensational photo-shopped front page image of Reid crossing out all black candidates), the entire editorial board should lose their jobs. Despicable. - wordslinger - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 5:16 pm: Talking with Blago is nothing but trouble. Madigan doesn’t look so bad now for refusing those calls or going to meetings. Looks like Rod is going to play the race card all the way through this Senate seat fiasco. In the end though, it doesn’t change anything on all the fed investigations and coming charges. I don’t buy the jury pool gambit theory. - Marianne - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:28 pm: Rod certainly isn’t making any friends, is he, as he’s downward plummeting to a hard landing. It’s interesting to watch the hanger-ons do their shtick as the spectacle unfolds. If you had any real power, would you hang onto Rod’s coattails? - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:39 pm: Richards withdraws as Commerce Secretary designate to make way for appointment of guv or Burris, whomever appears most troublesome and diverting. Film at eleven. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:48 pm: I know, I know - it’s Richardson. Brain toot. Sorry - wordslinger - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:49 pm: A Citizen, I look forward to the Burris and/or Blago Senate confirmation hearings. That’s Entertainment. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:53 pm: Indeed, however those primadonnas will not allow cameras in for coverage . . . unless CSPAN has carte blanche? - wordslinger - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:55 pm: AC, I’m kidding. I hope you are, too. - Bill Baar - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:56 pm: Talking with Blago is nothing but trouble. Madigan doesn’t look so bad now for refusing those calls or going to meetings And Madigan figured this out years ago? What’s taken the rest of the party that long to figure out talking with this guy is a disaster? - Bill Baar - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:57 pm: drop the ? … I mean Madigan figured this out years ago…I love the YouTube of him on Chicago Fox News explaining this. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 6:57 pm: In these “interesting times” I’m really not sure if I am or not. - Rob_N - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:07 pm: Wordslinger, What Burris/Blago Senate confirmation hearings? The state legislature does not have a right of confirmation regarding gubernatorial appointments to the US Senate. The US Senate Majority Leader has indicated he will advocate for a special committee to be formed to investigate the propriety of an appointment by a governor who is under suspicion of, in part, attempting to sell the open Senate seat. There will be no hearings to confirm Burris. If anything, there may be hearings in the US Senate to investigate whether to accept an appointment made under a cloud of suspicion. PS: By default, even the Burris appointment was tainted. Burris could be clean as a whistle but since other, earlier contenders for the seat were relegated to the sidelines simply because they or their patrons wouldn’t “play ball” with a governor alleged to have extorted people for personal or political fund gain with regards to the open seat the entire appointment process is tainted… Blago could appoint Mike Ditka or Lovie Smith and the process would still have been tainted by his alleged improprieties listed in Fitzgerald’s criminal complaint. That is what Harry Reid has said he wants investigated by a Senate committee. - wordslinger - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:10 pm: Rob, I was making a joke regarding ACs idea that Burris or Blago would get a cabinet appointment. Repeat, a joke. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:15 pm: _Wordslinger_ It seems a sense of humor is rapidly becoming a rare commodity these days. A rare portender of Chaos and Doom? - Chicago Cynic - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:18 pm: Which one is Chaos and which one doom? My vote is Barack for Chaos and Roland for Doom. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:22 pm: - Chicago Cynic - Oh now that’s just racist! Can’t Daley and guv be in play too? - Pot calling kettle - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:26 pm: TO: The Gov. would need security clearance because the boss should have access to the same information his subordinates do. Of course, our Gov. might well see it as a source of revenue (one might even say “a f*****g goldmine”). - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:42 pm: Rich, I sure hope you have purchased upgraded server capacity and bandwidth for the coming week or two. I anticipate high volume and demand for your services. If I knew your address I’d send in a case or two of Red Bull! - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 7:52 pm: “TO: The Gov. would need security clearance because the boss should have access to the same information his subordinates do. Of course, our Gov. might well see it as a source of revenue (one might even say “a f*****g goldmine”).” Alright, as Burris would say, we will try again. Name one scenario in which it is critical that the Governor have top secret clearance. Most people make a similar point about being able to be reached by phone in an emergency. If its a non emergency, like a flat tire, then fine. But if it’s life and death then the phone call is already too late. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:05 pm: “Name one scenario in which it is critical that the Governor have top secret clearance.” Perhaps the best persons to answer that question would be former New York Gov. George Pataki and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, whom, I imagine, probably found their top secret clearances to be helpful in dealing with the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:07 pm: - True Observer - Interesting argument for a deficient incumbent. However I would much prefer an unlimited, serious, knowledgeable and fully job engaged Governor. Not the distracted disengaged narcissist we have now. - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:07 pm: Oops, I almost forgot about Tom Ridge, the first Homeland Security director, who was governor of Pennsylvania when Flight 93 crashed into his state. - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:14 pm: “Name one scenario in which it is critical that the Governor have top secret clearance.” Perhaps the best persons to answer that question would be former New York Gov. George Pataki and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, whom, I imagine, probably found their top secret clearances to be helpful in dealing with the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Words, words. Meaningless words. So they didn’t prevent the attacks. O.K. So, what exactly were they able to do in the aftermath with their security clearances that they couldn’t have done without security clearances? Did they even show up on the scene? Even if they did, their photo ops would have just gotten in the way of the rescue efforts. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:17 pm: - True Observer - Obviously it is all the Legislature’s fault, right? Or is there a boogeyman we don’t know about? Yet! - Bookworm - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:38 pm: TO, if governors don’t have that much of a role to play during a terrorist attack in their state, then why was Ridge, a governor of a state impacted by 9/11, tapped to be the first Homeland Security director? - dgil - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 8:55 pm: “I don’t remember what was in the conversation, other than the generalities that I just talked about.” Sure Harry, we believe that line of BS. Durbin and the rest of the dems better get settled with the fact any attempt to block Burris’ seating is illegal and will not stand in a court of law. As much as Bobby Rush can be a goof, he has hit the nail on the head. Reid turned down several AA appointee suggestions from Blago, now he has amnesia about the phone call. Yeah right. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:02 pm: I agree, Harry Reid’s an idiot. Therefore we should seat Burris? NOT! - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:07 pm: Ridge was up for VP or Sect of Defense with Bush in 2000. After 9/11, an office within the White House was created for Homeland Security and Ridge was named to it. In other words, he was picked because he was a warm body. He could have been picked for almost any other Cabinet Post. Ridge resigned as Governor of Pennsyvania to take the post because he probably saw it as a better avenue to the Oval Office. He guessed wrong because Cheney didn’t leave in 2004 and he couldn’t get past the pro life fire wall in the GOP. Hillary is following Ridge’s lead. Unfortunatley for both of them, there are only so many Jeffersons over the centuries. - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:16 pm: The federal stuff is a nice diversion but on the state front, any news on the Impeachment Committee meetings today? And what is their schedule for tomorrow? - Pot calling kettle - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:29 pm: TO: My point was, that in order to oversee his direct reports, the governor has to have access to the same information they do. While the Director of the State Police is the one who needs the information, it’s the Gov. who has the ultimate responsibility for what the Director does. So, why does the Gov. need the security clearance? 1) The Gov. might be called on to make the decision in a tough situation (unlikely, but possible) 2) The Gov. must be able to evaluate the decisions and actions of his appointees, and, to do so, must have access to the same information they have access to (more likely). - True Observer - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:36 pm: “The Gov. might be called on to make the decision in a tough situation (unlikely, but possible)” All that is being asked is to name one real life scenario where life and death hangs in the balance and the governor’s decision is needed. Does anyone really think that Daley sits at the Mayor’s Desk worrying about the kind of sewer line to put up Michigan Avenue? - A Citizen - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 9:39 pm: - True Observer - Probably - If guv is shredding and flushing! - Chicago Cynic - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 10:00 pm: Oh geez. I just noticed I typed Barack for Chaos. I meant Rod. I keep doing that. That is a serious problem! I meant Rod for Chaos and Roland for Doom. - Quizzical - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 10:02 pm: Thanks for saying it, Phocion, There’s a limited number of people privy to the topics of Reid and Blago’s conversation. Whoever characterized it to the Sun Times didn’t do so without guile. Also, I have heard enough of Reid to think that his manner on the call with Blago was probably very casual, more Rich Little doing Reagan, than the way he’s potrayed in the cover photo. As for keeping the seat, who can’t sympathize with Reid? Problem’s reelecting Obama’s successor would become problems for Reid. And who can deny that each of the suggested black candidates Emil (implied co-conspirator of Blago, at the end of his career), Danny Davis (known photos of him in weird situation with Rev. Moon, at the end of his career) and Jesse Jr. (implied co-conspirator with Blago, with possible unfavorable trial evidence coinciding with the next election cycle). - Quizzical - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 10:12 pm: Meant to finish: could be problematic at election time. - Bubs - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 10:18 pm: Ooooohhhhh Babycakes, what a week is coming up!!! It’s like sitting on a blanket on the 4th of July, waiting for all the entertaining fireworks to go off! - Rob_N - Sunday, Jan 4, 09 @ 11:03 pm: @ Wordslinger - A ha. I was just glancing at the thread earlier but see the string of jokes now. - Bill O'Reilly - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 12:44 am: “The Beach Boys will play us out…” “There’s no words there. To play us out. What does that mean, to play us out?…What is—…. I don’t know what that means, to play us out. What does that mean? To end the show?” - Frank Sobotka - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 1:07 am: “And what is their schedule for tomorrow?” A_Citizen - I think they are holding no meeting tomorrow, pending the decisions on whether Fitz’s evidence will be released to them or not, but will resume Tuesday. But, Check their website in the AM, it will have the day’s meetings available. - LN - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 1:15 am: I’m not sure if this has already been discussed on the blog or not, but I would PAY c-span to cover this: ” Senate Democratic leaders also have discussed what might happen if Blagojevich shows up on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the first aide said. This would be a “radioactive” situation, according to the aide, because Senate Democratic leaders could not deny Blagojevich entry, as sitting governors have floor privileges in the Senate. Governors are allowed to walk around the Senate chamber or talk with senators while on the floor, though they cannot vote or formally address the Senate. Blagojevich’s spokesman, Lucio Guerrero, said the governor is aware he is allowed access to the Senate floor, but “the idea of going on Tuesday was first raised by a reporter,” not Blagojevich.” –via cnn.com I was totally unaware that governors had floor privileges. - Bookworm - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 5:58 am: If Blago did show up on the Senate floor with Burris, would he be violating the terms of his recognizance bond? Methinks that in most cases where someone is arrested for a felony and released on bond, they cannot leave the state, at least not without getting permission from the court first. - Fan of the Game - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 8:21 am: Still don’t see any legal way the Senate can bar the seating of Burris. - Narcoleptic - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:13 am: The interesting thing here will be after Burris is seated and the impeachment stuff unfolds. Rod has many petty cruelties yet to unleash. There are many small- medium- and bread basket-sized favors he’s done for people he now sees “hounding” him out of office. I imagine they may not amount to much in the world of insider political trading, but as PR tools they could be quite embarrassing if used in the right way. A cousin here, a contract there, a government problem that was solved “miraculously.” Roland’s appointment was the beginning, not the end. - Lurker - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:19 am: Why are these black ministers and co. lining up to rally for this? They look like fools. - Will County Wiseguy - Monday, Jan 5, 09 @ 9:24 am: After listening to Bobby Rush, Roland Burris, Richie Daley, Jim Thompson and numerous other Illinois politicos from both parties over the past couple of weeks, it strikes me that Illinois would be the political sewer of the nation with or without Governor Rod. We need stricter ethics laws and campaign finance reform. In addition, we need people in office who care more about the State and its people than they do about their own political careers and personal enrichment. Sure, getting rid of GRod is necessary, but it won’t even begin to get at the real problems of our State. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.