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Question of the day - Obamarama edition

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The Post-Dispatch has a piece today on who the governor might appoint to replace Barack Obama, should the US Senator win the presidency.

llinois political experts who were asked the question declared it premature, but then offered some thoughts anyway on whom Gov. Rod Blagojevich might appoint to fill an Obama Senate vacancy, if it comes that.

The consensus: Undoubtedly a Democrat, probably an African-American, possibly a woman â€” and most likely not Blagojevich himself, though the law would give him that option.

Among the more interesting names being suggested: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Illinois Attorney General (and Blagojevich rival) Lisa Madigan. […]

“There’s certainly going to be pressure from the African-American community, both in Chicago and nationally, to appoint another African-American to the seat,” Redfield said. “I don’t know who that’s going to be, but that’s a consideration.”

I would add that Latinos would also want the slot.

Here’s the relevant state law:

(10 ILCS 5/25â€‘8) (from Ch. 46, par. 25â€‘8)
Sec. 25â€‘8. When a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States Senator from this state, the Governor shall make temporary appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of representatives in Congress, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election, and the senator so elected shall take office as soon thereafter as he shall receive his certificate of election.

Yes, I know it’s way too early to think that Obama can even win the nomination, let alone the presidency, but who do you think might have the upper hand?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:26 am

Comments

The person he appoints will need to run for reelection two years after being appointed, so this person better be electable statewide. Based on that, I would suggest looking to the current Democratic Constitutionals. I doubt Jesse White would be interested. While Alexi is a great guy, he will be too young and inexperienced for the job. That leaves Pat Quinn, Lisa Madigan, and Dan Hynes.

Of the three, I would suggest that Lisa is the strongest. She is a woman and she is popular statewide. She would be my pick.

Comment by Buck Naked Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:32 am
Probably not Rex Grossman!

Comment by bears Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:37 am
“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome Attorney General?”

And, thus, Lisa Madigan gets the nod.

Comment by So-Called "Austin Mayor" Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:43 am
Is that what we call kicked up or damage control? I’ve seen some folks promoted in the corporate world to get them away from causing more headaches in their present position..hehe! The famous promotion demotion..

Comment by 105th Blues Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:47 am
Rod Himself, cant go any further, cant win another election.

Comment by Just Because Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:47 am
Blago wants a third term. Lisa Madigan.

Comment by Realist Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:48 am
I laugh at the suggestion that Barack Obama can be ‘replaced’.

You will be able to appoint someone to the post of senator from Illinois, but His High Holiness Pope Obama the First, *cannot* be replaced.

Comment by Johnny USA Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:52 am
Senator Rich Miller, our only hope.

Comment by Ali Bin Haddin Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:56 am
Ali, I’d much rather be State Fair director. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:58 am
I agree - Rich as State Fair director. We would finally get some great music.

A good pick would be James Meeks. But we are talking Blagojevich. So, it would be someone like Jesse Jackson Jr. who would be the political choice.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:01 am
I wonder if a governor’s choice has to be ratified by the state legislature? Also it really is too realy to be thinking that Obama is to win the nomination, but if it was a black I’d choose Jesse Jackson Jr. His oratory is just about perfect for the Senate and he can let his wife have his congressional seat.

Comment by Levois Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:03 am
Luis.

Comment by Anon Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:06 am
Interesting conundrum for Rod. If he does not select an African-American, he alienates his most important core constituency these days. If he does not select Lisa, he fails to eliminate his most important rival. But would Lisa really _want_ the position, I wonder? Senators leave D.C. to be governor just as often as not, these days, and Illinois Gub is a real plum position as governorships go.

So all in all I’d bet on an African-American pick, but maybe not Jesse Jr, who might hold the seat for 30+ years. Rod might go with a distinguished elder, select Jesse White (and get someone else into Sec of State in the bargain) or Danny Davis.

Comment by ZC Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:15 am
What about Danny Davis?

Comment by Lincoln's Neckbeard Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:17 am
Has nothing to do with politics.Which ever one is most profitable to the gov.I bet he has the old adding machine out now.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:35 am
OK, enough, already, with the hyper-cynicism. Let’s get to the subject at hand.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:36 am
Jackson and Davis? Senator Staples and Senator Moon Pie?

How about Senator Mary Flowers? African American Woman, smart as they come, not a self-interest bone-head, and proven legislator! Senator Mary Flowers!

Senator Staples? Naw, he’d blow up like a tropical fish on steroids.

Senator Moon Pie - Burning Incense to Rev. Sushi Chain Moon

Senator Mary Flowers - The Real Deal!

Comment by Pat Hickey Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:37 am
The Appointee better keep his/her day job.

Appointed U.S. Senators do not have a track record of getting elected.

Comment by Anon Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:47 am
Levois - no need for confirmation/ratification by the legislature, it’s a direct appointment by the Governor - but as has been pointed out, the appointee will need to face the electorate at the next election if they wish to retain their seat.

ZC - other than Corzine in NJ, I’m not sure I can think of another recent example of a Senator leaving to become Governor of their state…I’m open to being corrected on that though.

Comment by Matt Schuh Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:48 am
This question asks us to assume Obama wins the presidency. I think a bigger question is: will it be Blago making the choice to replace him? It could be Pat Quinn making the decision. And I could see him picking himself.

Comment by anon Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 9:55 am
I think the depressingly most likely choice would be to tap Jesse White, with an understand that he wonâ€™t run for the seat, but rather endorse Blago for the seat in 2010. Blago would then also get the bonus of picking Whiteâ€™s SOS successor.

Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:18 am
MAtt, Dirk Kempthorn left the senate seat to become the governor of Idaho. What about Murkoski from Alaska — didnt he leave the Senate to become the governor of Alaska?

Comment by Number 8 Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:19 am
Thats right about Murkowski. He was elected governor, resigned his senate seat, then appointed his daughter. Four years later, he came in third place in the election with 19% of the vote.

Comment by Number 8 Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:25 am
Because I like to stir up trouble.

Major Duckworth anyone?

Comment by Tom B. Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:27 am
Good move, stick with the state fair. New choices:
1. Lovie Smith
2. Jesse Jackson Jr.
3. Senator Meeks
4. Jesse White
5. Patt Quinn
6. Michael Jordan

Comment by Ali Bin Haddin Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:31 am
Number 8, thanks for the examples…good call on the Murkowski appointment, I couldn’t remember the specifics of that one. I must admit I wasn’t aware at all of the Kempthorn situation in Idaho.

I don’t have the data on this, but it seems like there have been more who have gone from Governorships to the Senate than vice versa over recent time. Maybe, though, I’m allowing states like Virginia (Allen and Mark Warner) and Missouri (Bond and Ashcroft) who have a tradition of sending their governors (or losers of gubernatorial elections in Missouri’s case most recently with McCaskill) to D.C. to skew my viewpoint.

Comment by Matt Schuh Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:43 am
Blair Hull. And no, I’m not kidding. The Governor owes him a lot and he’d want it.

Second, Dan Hynes.

Third, Chico.

The best choice–Vallas, but he won’t get it with one caveat–if he moves back in time to run in 2010 for Governor and the Governor is under the delusion he’ll get a third term, he might promote him to get him out of the race.

Comment by Archpundit Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:47 am
Blago himself. He knows he’s never going to live in the White House and this would be the highest he could go nationally.

Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:50 am
Little Egypt, I disagree. When a democrat is elected president in 2008, Blagojevich could be appointed to a good cabinet post. Secretary of HHS or Secretary of Energy or Interior Secretary. He has great credentials for any of these posts. From there, he could shoot for the top in 2012 or later (although I cant imagine if this happened that he would run in 2012 against the president that gave him the post).

Comment by Number 8 Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:53 am
Arch - I’d love to See Tall Paul back in the neighborhood!

barring that - Mary Flowers would be a great choice!

Comment by Pat Hickey Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 11:05 am
Slow news day in St. Louis huh? Ok, ask a silly question, get a silly answer.

Obama wins, and appoints Durbin to his cabinet. Blago appoints Lisa Madigan to fill Durbin’s seat and Jesse White to fill Obama’s. Then he appoints Giannoulias to AG , and Hoffman to Secretary of State. Then he gets to appoint someone of his choice (probably a Latino) to treasurer. That also means that every statewide office is now up for election in 2010 (all constitutionals and both US Senate Seats). He convinces Pat Quinn to run for the US Senate Seat that Jesse White retires from and he gets to find a new Lt. Gov to run with him. Hynes get tired of waiting so he also runs for US Senate meaning Blago recruits someone to run for Comptroller (probably a Latino or African American candidate) and basically has a say in who holds every statewide office in Illinois.

Kinda makes you think twice about voting for Obama, doesn’t it?

Comment by Jaded Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 11:28 am
He should pick Lisa Madigan. She would be a shoe in to win the next election which would be 2 years away. In a million years he would not pick JJJ, who could not get elected state wide, likewise Danny Davis. If he were to pick an African American, Jim Clayborne would fit the bill. Yound(ish), downstater, sharp & ambitious.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 11:39 am
Sheila Simon if she would do it. The party needs more downstaters on the statewide ticket and she’d do a great job.

Comment by Will Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:00 pm
Sorry, not an Obama fan so I can’t think of him winning.

Comment by Judy, Judy, Judy Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:09 pm
Based on this “article” I think the IrishPirate should immediately be named to all offices.

http://www.whatthehelen.com/2007/02/shiller-scores-high-profile-endorsement.html

Comment by 46th Warder(might be IP himself) Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:19 pm
People, this is Illinois. It goes to either his wife or daughter.

Comment by Festering Drippage Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:19 pm
Should the planets so align, Jessie White would make sense. It’s the perfect way to ease him into retirement yet plant a young dem replacement in the job to build some experience in it before the next election versus a republican challenger.

Said SoS replacement would likely be a Blago puppet, and don’t forget what a powerful position that is to run for future governorship from. It covers the African American angle. Jesse W’s not a bad guy and would aquit himself okay in that placeholder position. The pension and healthcare bump is great. Threejay or Meeks? No way, though I can see why sending Meeks would be attractive to Blago…

With his self-acknowledged undistinguished prior congressional career and the fact he has always played Washington as a punching bag while governor, it is hard to see how Rod could justify putting himself in there, except as part of some twisted deal to get out of facing charges in Illinois. Can’t see how that can happen, and if he jumps to fill Obama’s spot, he cuts himself off from a lot of fundraising from his current base to having to build a new fundraising base around Washington…

So I think Jesse White’s the easy choice right now. Lisa could handle it and still come back to be a threat for governor later.

Poshard?

Comment by Gregor Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:28 pm
Yes…..Mary Flowers ….I think it’s an excellent choice!

Comment by State worker Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:42 pm
How about Sen. Mike Jacobs? He has close ties to Blagojevich, Obama and Daley, and proved to be an effective legislator and excellent fundraiser.

Comment by mADDOG22 Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 12:45 pm
It appears Mike Jacobs is blogging today!

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 1:08 pm
Reality check. That will never happen.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 1:38 pm
Chicago Urban League President, Cheryle Jackson.

Comment by Rod's Brush Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 2:06 pm
Blago has so many plays:

1. Blago. It keeps the feds at bay, and being a Senator is really cool.

2. Mike Madigan. That gets Mike out of the Gov’s hair. Lisa can be named to MJM’s House seat, and thereafter named Speaker by acclamation. Lisa’s minor daughter can then be named A.G to fill her mother’s seat, on the rationale that she has unique insight on issues affecting children, a major priority for this Administration.

3. Mayor Daley. It gives Hizzoner a respite from the Feds, and then John Daley can be named Mayor by acclamation, with the Mayor’s son can be be pulled out of the Army, to be named County Commissioner and head of the Finance Committee by acclaimation, on the rationale that he is untainted by Chicago politics and a “fresh start with a new generation of Daleys.”

I love the way this stuff works!

Comment by Bubs Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 2:30 pm
Frank Avila Jr!

Comment by Randall Sherman Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 2:38 pm
It is either Jesse Jr. or Dan Hynes, though Pat Quinn would serve out the term with more distinction (and less of a chance of winning reelection).

Comment by Niles Township Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 4:22 pm
What makes anybody thing that blogo will last long enough to appoint the new senator?

Comment by Huh? Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 6:29 pm
Jesse Ruben Juarez for US Senate

Comment by Porky Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 6:36 pm
If Blago is smart, he will pick Lisa Madigan. She is his number one competitor for the ‘10 election. If he promotes her out of the way, he can make another run.

Comment by Scott Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 7:20 pm
Carol Mosely Braun!

I’m assuming she’s learned a thing or two since the last time around. No more trips to Nigeria…

And she fits the woman/african-american bill.

Comment by Lakeview Voter Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 7:52 pm
And on a less serious note….Arenda Troutman.

Fits both bills as well.

Comment by Lakeview Voter Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 7:54 pm
Mohammad
or
Tank Williams
but no Rex

Comment by Mike Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:07 pm
Whoever he chooses will probably be the wrong choice. His track record at trying to do things are always self-serving and misguided.

Comment by Papa Legba Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 8:44 pm
Patrick Fitzgerald, for all the obvious reasons.

Comment by Da Guy Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:26 pm
Lisa Madigan or Dan Hynes, or a rising African-American or Hispbanic, would be a politically wise choice. But I’ve come by experience to expect that he would appoint the most inappropriate person imaginable — let’s say Oscar D’Angelo

Comment by Quizzical Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:36 pm
Sen. Mike Jacobs is right on the issues and has ties to Obama. Jacobs is a young man like Obama that is full of fresh new ideas that can move this State and Country ahead. When Obama ran for Office and everyone said Dan Hynes, Denny Jacobs stood by his friend Obama and new that he was the right guy before everyone else fell in love. If the question was raised who should have filled Simon’s seat if he had been chosen for resident you would not have heard a choir singing Obama, we would have heard Hynes, Madigan and the like. Obama was and is new blood, we need more. Jacobs has fresh ideas and a young outlook that brings people together like Obama. I think Sen. Mike Jacobs would be a real leading force for Illinois.

Comment by Sterling Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 10:40 pm
Number 8, your suggestion about cabinet posts made my blood coagulate. back to “The Village” with you!

Comment by Gregor Monday, Feb 5, 07 @ 11:16 pm
what is most interesting is that some say there
is already a short list to fill the vacancy.
at least that is what one elected man walking
around springfield far from his district is
telling people, and saying he is on the list.
funny, but these are the people who have
sworn to be Obama record defenders. guess
they have a vested interest in the defense
of the guy who lost to bobby rush.

Comment by amy Tuesday, Feb 6, 07 @ 12:12 am
He lost to Rush and defeated the great Dan Hynes. He is a front runner in the race for the Democratic nomination. He is a man of the people and like Lincoln who lost before he won will be a great President if elected.

Comment by Jim G. Tuesday, Feb 6, 07 @ 1:22 pm
Blair Hull. And no, Iâ€™m not kidding. The Governor owes him a lot and heâ€™d want it.

O.J. Simpson. He succeeded in killing his wife!

Comment by T.J. Tuesday, Feb 6, 07 @ 1:24 pm