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To recall or not to recall?

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Illinois

Even though it would probably be very good for my business, I’m gonna agree with this Daily Herald editorial…

As reported by Daily Herald political writer Eric Krol on Saturday, Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin is launching an effort for a recall amendment to pave the way to get Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich removed from office.

But even though we have been disappointed many, many times — and said so on this page — by Blagojevich’s political grandstanding and ineffectiveness on a variety of issues since he first was elected in 2002, we just can’t give Cronin our endorsement for this effort.

Cronin told Krol: “This is a way for the Republicans to show how we respond to this failure of leadership. And the Democrats are worried (Blagojevich) is going to take his party down the drain.” […]

But we agree with a Blagojevich spokeswoman who calls this a political stunt that won’t help solve the impasse in Springfield. We believe both Republicans and Democrats need to keep their eye on the ball and set priorities on the serious issues facing the state rather than spend time trying to pass an amendment solely to solve one political problem.

Indeed, Republicans had their chance to remove Blagojevich just last year but former state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and the party itself waged an ineffective campaign and lost soundly in November. Now Republicans and Democrats alike need to figure out a way to work together and in ways that will benefit the state. And politically, Republicans should concentrate on getting their own act together for the 2008 elections and beyond. […]

There’s already enough politicking in Illinois without waging a California-style recall effort that could stymie future efforts to do what’s right. We urge all sides to get the job done they were elected to do and then urge voters to do their job at the polls if they’re unhappy with the results.

While tempting on its face, I’m not enamored with the recall system. There’s little doubt, for instance, that George Ryan would have been recalled. But voters failed to heed several obvious warnings about Ryan’s corrupt ways, so I figure they got just what they deserved. Same with Blagojevich.

Also, governors and political parties have natural ups and downs in popularity. The leaders shouldn’t constantly be subjected to momentary whims or trends.

When discussing this issue, try to remember that the recall provision wouldn’t be repealed after Blagojevich is gone. This is something we could be stuck with for a very long time to come, and would eventually impact both parties.

Have at it.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:34 am

Comments

What would have happened if Blagojevich turned out to be a great governor, popular with voters? Republicans should shudder at that, and ask themselves how Blagojevich has helped them stay in the game in Illinois.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:40 am
This is a terrible idea. Voters should understand the importance of their ballot when they march into the polling place (or when they sit at home). This is a second bite at the apple that only diminishes our election process. Voters should be stuck with who they elected. Outright corruption can be pursued without resorting to this gimmick.

Comment by phocion Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:43 am
Does that mean we can recall Pat?

Comment by El Salsa Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:44 am
While I have no respect for the current governor, incompetence should never be a reason for impeachment. Incompetence is remedied by the voters at the next election. That’s how our system works.

Comment by one of the 35 Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:53 am
Recall somebody who wants to expand health insurance to all Illinoisians? Even if you think he is a corrupt Chicago Democrat who has created thousands of expensive and unnecessary state patronage jobs and has pandered to the education-industrial complex, as I do,
he is trying to develop programs that will actually benefit middle class Illinoisians. And health care is a huge issue for this group. Not for the poor, not for the rich, but for the middle class. And he is trying to do it without hitting up the middle class for more income and sales taxes.

For that alone, we should keep him. Even if you despise his Chicago politics and, uh, ethical lapses. After all, in 2010 we will have another chance at a different Democrat. Let’s see what he can do for us in the interim. Because we really are all that matters. Not political gossip. The residents of Illinois.

Maybe it’s his staff who should be recalled. As a group they seem outstandingly inept, unable to give good advice or communicate effectively. And he should lose the ultralibs like Carol Ronen.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:55 am
Did Cronin ever say a peep about George Ryan? I don’t think he did.

Cronin should be more worried about the horrible state of his own hapless party. He’s obviously not a leader. He’s afraid to work on serious things.

Comment by GOP'er Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:58 am
“But we agree with a Blagojevich spokeswoman who calls this a political stunt that won’t help solve the impasse in Springfield.” So we have the admission that this is a stunt…at our expense. The Gov office is NO place to be acrobatic. I believe we need a mechanism in place to be able to relieve an elected offical of his office if he is “not capable of rationally discharging the duties of his office”.

Comment by Siyotanka Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:59 am
Removing Rod from office would set that slippery slope that is hard to come back from. It seemmed to work in California going from Gray to Arnold, but it also required a significant change in how Schwarzenegger worked with their GA.

Love him or hate him Rod won the election, not by much, but he still won. If he won because of how much he spent, then a lot of people liked him enough to give those bucks. That simply did not happen on the Repub side. I gotta wonder if those same Rod donaters still feel good about their contributions? We are stuck with him until the next election cycle. The GA is showing that the existing constitution has a way of getting around major disagreement by simply cutting the Gov out of the picture by the GA working/sticking together if they can. Repubs would gain more by seriously looking at how they are operating within their own party.

Comment by zatoichi Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:59 am
An alternative to a recall would be an amendment to the Illinois constitution imposing term limits for constitutional officers. Possibly two terms for the office of governor and three or four terms for the other consitutional officers.

I do not support term limits for legislators which only empowers an entrenched bureacracy at the expense of legislative expertise in critical policy areas.

Studies conducted in Illinois indicate that over 90% of the legislature turns over every ten years.

Comment by Larry McKeon Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:00 am
I don’t know how alone I am here, but I honestly don’t see a problem with a recall provision that equally affects both parties. It seems that a lot of politicians in Illinois have forgotten that they work for US, the citizens of Illinois, and not for their own personal political gain, contributors, friends, etc. I don’t think a recall provision should be easy to achieve, but should be achievable in extreme circumstances (such as this year’s activities).

Yes, the voters should be informed enough to vote for the best candidate, but why should we all be punished if “we” elect an ineffective politician. It’s like saying that an employer that hires a bad employee, despite a stellar resume, can’t fire them until some arbitrary time limit is up. But we all know that most employers have a 90-day “trial period” during which they can fire an employee for this exact reason.

Who can honestly say that Illinois voters vote for the best candidate each and every time as opposed to just clicking the name next to the (D) or the (R)? At the very least, a recall provision gives the elected governor something to consider when tempted to try some self-serving political stunt that has a negative impact on the citizens of Illinois.

It’s a lot like tenure for teachers. You get tenure, you can pretty much do what you want knowing that the removal process is lengthy and difficult. If a governor gets elected to a 4-year term, they know they have nothing to fear right now in Illinois until the next election. And I think it’s difficult to dispute that voters in Illinois seem to have a very short memory. I guarantee that Blago, in three years, will become a very generous, easy to work with, man of the people, and most voters will have completely forgotten this session.

This is exactly why I support term limits for ALL elected officials, regardless of position. Ultimate power corrupts, and at least a recall provision should have some affect on what politicians consider to be “ultimate power”.

Comment by schroedk Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:00 am
The ability to recall is lazy Democracy. Voters have to be responsble for their decisions. I shudder to think what kind of mess we’d have in Illinois if anyone could mount a recall campaign on a whim. Makes me wonder if we’d end up with a Governor Arnold like in California.

Comment by Highland Online Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:04 am
Voters need to be informed when they enter the voting booth. If they aren’t, then they get what they deserve. I agree with the DH that if the GOP wanted to remove Blago, they should have done it last year with a capable candidate.

Comment by Tony Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:04 am
I didn’t like the recall initiative in California when Schwarzennegger replaced Grey Davis. (Much to my surprise Arnold has turned out to be a decent Governor for the State of California.)

However, recent events in Illinois have changed my thinking. Recall would give voters an opportunity to protest arbitrary and capricious decisions like the Cook County Democratic Party’s decision to slate Todd Stoger for Cook County Board President, despite his painfully obvious lack of qualifications for the office. The subterfige and deception after John Stroger’s stroke was a blatant fraud perpetrated on the public. Recall would simply give voters a viable option in other future candidate ballot replacement decisions.

Alhtough I would not support a candidate recall petition targeted at the Governor, specifically, I believe recall again would give voters a legitimate option when confronted by the reality of an elected official’s “non-performance.” If the recall option were available to voters, it would serve as a check and balance on the actions of an executive who acts contrary to the public’s percveption of its own interest.

I support Pat Quinn/s declaration that voters should have a recall option available. My suggestion would be that a recall intaitive should not be effective until 2011 to avoid conclusions that it is a political stunt directed at any particular politician.

Comment by Captain America Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:05 am
Health-care for all is a noble goal — but absurd to think that it’s going to work.

Blagojevich knows that — and knows that the universal health-care is a way to keep himself in the national game.

I agree that a recall provision is odd — and dangerous. I’m not sure I understand the principles behind a recall. It seems oddly un-democractic and liable to cause more problems than solutions.

But you gotta wonder: what do you do with someone who’s holding the state hostage? Illinois is better than this. I agree that Blagojevich wants a shutdown. He has a peculiar masochistic streak — and takes (apparently) perverse pleasure in hurting the people he claims to want to help. But this is very much a fighter’s mentality, BTW — the idea that the pain is okay in the game, but after the game it’s all smiles and backslaps and “well, that’s just how it works.”

Recalling a goofball like Blagojevich will only diminish further what’s left of Illinois politics. The key is make sure twerps don’t win office. And make sure that folks who don’t value their votes understand the consequences of their votes. That’s where I’d put my efforts — to strengthen the awareness statewide that votes *matter.*

Oddly, Blagojevich certainly helps this effort — more so, I suppose, than the GOP at the moment.

Comment by Macbeth Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:05 am
Ultimately, the power lies with the governed. At least, that is supposed to be how it works. States that have the recall have not seen it over-used. Arnold has had to learn to compromise and work with the California legislature, but that is not a bad thing. California doesn’t want a king. Apparently, we do. Otherwise, we would amend our own constitution as other states have done.

Comment by I'm all for it Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:06 am
“…Republican state Sen. Dan Cronin is launching an effort for a recall amendment…”

Kudos to Senator Cronin and Lt. Governor Quinn for their support for this reform. The Green Party of the United States has a section in it’s platform, explicitly supporting initiative, referendum, and recall in all states.

“Now Republicans and Democrats alike need to figure out a way to work together and in ways that will benefit the state.”

I wish that Kroll wouldn’t perpetuate the status-quo by suggesting that there are only two political parties that need to work together–there are THREE legally established, statewide major political parties in Illinois.

“There’s already enough politicking in Illinois without waging a California-style recall effort that could stymie future efforts to do what’s right.”

I think that the California recall election was a marvelous exercise in democracy. Elected officials SHOULD face removal if they fail to continue to represent the best interests of the constituency that originally elected them.

It should also be noted that, despite the huge number of candidates on that ballot, the public didn’t seem to have any trouble picking out the viable candidates, which of course, completely blows away the argument that Democrats and Republicans use to keep new parties off the ballot–the voters weren’t at all “confused” by having more choices in the marketplace of ideas. (Not that they ever are confused when there are a number of candidates on a primary ballot.)

“This is something we could be stuck with for a very long time to come, and would eventually impact both parties.”

Doh! Rich, you break my heart. I know that you try very hard to be objective an unbiased; so might I humbly suggest that such a provision would eventually effect ALL parties, rather than both?

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:13 am
I think Topinka lost to Blagojevich by 8 or 9 points. I have to agree that being beaten by 8 or 9 points is being beaten “soundly”, but phrasing it that way makes it sound like Blagojevich won the election with a “sound” majority of all votes cast. That’s simply not the case. As I recall, Blagjevich did not even garner 50% of all votes cast.

Comment by GLT Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:24 am
I actually think recall, if the standard is very high, is a good idea. States like California don’t use it very often, and it seems to work fine. I agree with commenter that one of the problems we seem to have is that our elected officials, at every level, appear to forget that they work for the public. This would be a good reminder to the worst of them.

Comment by ChampaignDweller Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:24 am
Its about priorities. Regardless if anyone thinks we need to add a recall amendment, the priority for the legislature is the budget. If Cronin and others want to follow through with this let them do it in the veto session or in January. Regardless of what you think about Blago, a debate on a recall amendment at this point would be a major distraction from the business at hand.

Comment by wndycty Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:31 am
I like the system of some of the foreign democracies where when a vote of confidence is lost, the whole lot of them stand for election an work to form a new government.

That would make the elected officials stand up and notice the voters.

No private corporation would survive if the leadership became dysfunctional and then had to wait a number of years before a replacement was found. Of course a private enterprise could be bankrupt and die. The government just plods on.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:32 am
I remember a recall election that backfired. In 1983 a coalition of disaffected groups pushed through a recall election on Diane Feinstein when she was Mayor of San Francisco. When the recall vote was held in April 1983, the vast majority of people didn’t see the need to throw out Feinstein with less than a year left in her term. So she “won” the recall with a big margin. This paved the way for her winning re-election by a big margin in November 1983 and making her a national figure.

Comment by Objective Dem Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:34 am
The irony is that the conservatives who probably most wanted to recall Gray Davis, and worked the hardest at it, are among the most appalled now in what they’ve got in Ah-nold. Recall fans, beware.

Comment by ZC Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:39 am
Rich…Opposing recall because you think uninformed or inattentive voters get what they deserve is short-sighted. It ignores the prospect that voters will become informed after they have made their mistake, and recall would give them an opportunity to correct their admittedly avoidable error. There is no logical reason why, having made a mistake in an election, voters should be punished for their stupidity by leaving a distater in office if a redress solution could be made available. Maaybe, after a recall or two, the voters would get wiser and the pol. parties would prsent better candidiates.

Comment by philo Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:43 am
Pluto…I would support the idea of a “Vote of Confidence” It may wake up those who need it. If things did not get changed…then the next step could be a recall provision.

Comment by Siyotanka Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:47 am
Rich, I have to say that while the “whims” of a state and its populous are not always the best thing for our government, you can’t deny that our leaders and officials often operate on a “whim” or an “on a prayer” basis. We seem to have no direction as a state or a country, and our legislative leaders keep pushing off major needs and changes to future generations. I think the time has come for a part in the Illinois Constitution that forces the legislature to come up with a multi-year plan or, at least, a plan for one session. This is ridiculous.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:49 am
The Daily Herald piece was sound. The political pranks should end as there is enough to sort out now. Those pushing the recall stunt only show that they are not serious lawmakers.

Comment by Eye on Springfield Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:50 am
It would appear that Rod has essentially recalled himself. He has become irrelevant. He makes a lot of noise, but that is about it. Completely ineffective at this point.

Term limits would be good OR a recall measure with strict limitations. You wouldn’t want people screaming recall every time a Guv proposes something unpopular.

Comment by Papa Legba Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:55 am
I think a recall mechanism should be implemented but I don’t believe it applies to the current governor. Sure he is a terrible negotiator and acts very childish lately, but that in itself shouldn’t be grounds for recall. The Illinois Constitution has provisions that allow the goverment to keep operating when the governor isn’t playing nice with others. That’s what a Veto Override is for. It’s part of the checks and balances. We’re just not used to being in a position where those checks and balances are as necessary as they are today. But I think the General Assembly should show the governor how that works and perhaps next year there we’ll find him more cooperative. It’s like this Rod: you can cooperate with the Democratic-controlled everything and get SOME of what you want, or continue to threaten to hold your breath until you turn blue and get NONE of what you want.

Comment by PJ Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:09 am
The repubs need to get over the fact they lost and Madigan needs to accept the fact the state is blue and he no longer calls the shots. As much as I hate the current situation, a stubborn Gov fighting for Healthcare is hardly a reason for a recall.

Comment by Silver Beatles Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:20 am
You all loved him last fall. He wouldn’t be the first politician to fool enough people to vote for him. Live with your mistake until he’s the Feds problem.

Comment by Southern Right Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:22 am
The obvious solution to insulating Constitutional officers from whimsical recall efforts is to set the petition requirement sufficiently high.

If it required 25,000 signatures to place a recall on the ballot - far more than it requires to get on the ballot in the first place - that would seem to prevent any whimsical recall efforts to me.

The Constitutional Officers could further be shielded from partisan efforts by requiring 60% vote to recall a constitutional officer.

Let’s also not forget that faced with a recall amendment on the ballot, Governor Blagojevich has the opportunity to make his case to the voters - using his massive campaign warchest - that he shouldn’t be recalled.

I’d also take issue with the Daily Herald on one point - Blagojevich’s failure to lead is not a “political” problem, its a governance problem, which is adversely impacting all of us.

Democracy can be ugly, capricious and ill-informed. Everybody thinks dictatorship is a better idea - as long as they get to be the dictator. I still agree with Winston Churchill: its the worst form of government, except every other form out there.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:31 am
Let’s Do It!

Comment by Dr. Phil 0f the Bob & Tom Show Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:35 am
I would honestly support a recall movement in Illinois. I don’t think it’ll be pushed thru before Blagojevich leaves the governor’s office. But I really like the fact that at least there is some discussion on it.

Comment by Levois Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:40 am
Someone called recalls “Lazy Democracy,” and that person is spot on. Know the candidates beforehand. The process is designed to oust governors within four years of their election. We had that opportunity and blew it, and the people of illinois are to blame.

I do not support Governor Blagojevich, nor do I support his policies and plans, but he is the duly elected governor of this state and should remain so until his term expires.

Comment by Fan of the Game Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:55 am
Why is it I keep thinking of the song “Wasting Away in Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet everytime the “summer session” and our Governor is mentioned?

Comment by Lefty Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:57 am
The sad part is that the conservatives in Illinois who sat on their hands and failed to work for Topinka still haven’t figured out how much of the blame for this current mess is stacked on their shoulders.

Comment by Blagojevich End Game Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:08 am
What surprises me is that during the last Con-Con, there was no provision put in place to recall politicians. Whenever we have another Con-Con, it should definitely be placed in our constitution.

I can see both sides of this issue. However, saying that just because we don’t like Blago is no time to enact a recall provision really makes no sense at all. Whether it’s Blago, Ryan, Kerner, Walker, et al, the public should have the ability to recall an inept politician. Let’s not limit this discussion to just the highest office in Illinois. What about a corrupt supreme court judge, a local township supervisor, a mayor, a county board member? The provision should cover anyone elected to any public office. There has to be a point at which the back of the public camel is broken and they’ve had enough. Blago may, unfortunately for him, be just that breaking point.

Yes, Blago was voted into office a first and a second time. However, he largely won his office (especially the second term) by buying it with his campaign money. He had such a fat war chest of donations that he was able to jump out of the starting block with lots of negative and misleading campaign ads that drilled into our heads “What Was She Thinking” to the point that I thought I was going to throw up. The GOP did JBT no favors and Blago capitalized on the fact that the GOP was in total shambles in this state and Judy’s lack of money. Can anyone argue the point that if JBT had been our governor, we certainly would not have gone this long without a budget. I don’t believe that redhead is afraid to roll her sleeves up and sit at the bargaining table with the legislative leaders.

“Know the candidates beforehand.” They work very hard at putting out a positive image, squeaky clean, Mighty Mouse impression (here I come to save the day) and we never know the real person until they get into office. It’s only after being elected that we see their true colors, with very few exceptions!!!

A recall amendment may be what the public is demanding because that may be our only way to get the politicians’ attention. They won’t pass any kind of ethics reform, limits on campaign contributions, public financing of campaigns, or term limits so now it’s up to us. When people get desperate, they do desperate things and as desperate as a recall amendment may seem to some, to others it’s the only recourse.

Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:31 am
We have two “recall” mechanisms in this state, one is called “impeachment” and the other is “election day” (heck, even “primary day” works).

The alternative would be a farce and (conspiracy theories notwithstanding) way too easily manipulated in this day and age.

Essentially, every time one party loses an election, they could start a “recall” drive the next day to recall the winner… if you think we’re in an “endless campaign cycle” now, a recall mechanism would make it worse.

As the California example demonstrated, power companies (Enron) manipulated the electricity markets. This had the effect of devastating Gov. Gray Davis’ standings.

Enter wealthy Republican California Congressman Darrell Issa who paid the way for the recall petitioning drive in order to get the question before voters.

Then, when enough signatures were gathered, candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger was having meetings with … Enron execs … and taking money from others who had a stake in manipulating the power grid for profit.

Plus, the Bush-led White House by this point knew there were issues with power manipulation in California, yet was doing nothing to prevent it or even acknowledge it.

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:57 am
Allowing a recall of Blagojevich for incompetence would simply open Pandora’s Box for future well-meaning (and not so well-meaning) politicians. If Blagojevich (or any politician) is found guilty of illegalities, however, that is another matter altogether.

I fault Mike Madigan and Emil Jones more than the not-so-bright voters for supporting Blagojevich when he ran for office last election. Madigan and Emil “knew” what they were getting when they supported Blagojevich. The old school political mentality by Mike Madigan & Emil Jones was (and is) “I back my Party, whether it is right or wrong”. That is why I couldn’t in good conscience ever vote for Madigan or Jones. They are too self-serving and put their careers before the best interests of the state of Illinois and it’s voters.

Comment by Aaron Slick from Pumpkin Creek Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 12:08 pm
No recall bill that included legislators could pass the General Assembly. No recall bill that didn’t include legislators as well as executive branch officials would be seen as fair.

The only opportunity to empower voters with recall is via a Constitutional Convention, which voters will be asked whether or not to convene on the Nov. 4, 2008 ballot.

Comment by cicero Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 12:38 pm
How about a term limit for Gov, and on the GA leadership positions. Would that help?

Comment by Compromise? Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 12:53 pm
We have to be aware that making such a change shifts the political fulcrum off voters directly and onto non-elected party leaders and PACS that can afford the advertising to gin up signatures for a recall. I liked term limits until I realized the above problem applies there as well. The power brokers become the guys that feed replacement candidates into the process, and we have no voter control over those private entities.

But what if we only put a limit on the length of time house and senate leaders hold their leadership positions? If the tops had to rotate thru their jobs, it would force a lot more coalition-building and consensus-based decision-making. But I don’t see how that coud be implemented, much less approved over the dug-in power structure that’s there now.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:08 pm
Just like angry poiticians to try to take away our vote.

Comment by really now Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:22 pm
Just like angry politicians to try to take away our vote.

Comment by really now Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:22 pm
I absolutely favor a recall with very high hurdles to success (large sig threshhold, can’t start recall until at least a year of term is up, etc), but only if it includes all executives including Mayors and heads of County government. I’ve got one I can think of that should be recalled.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:39 pm
Attention Silver Beatles: Mike Madigan is a DEMOCRAT. Please figure out who is with which party before you post.

Comment by Crimefighter Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:46 pm
I agree with the ability to have a recall, especially since members of both parties have suggested it. The worst thing about making a mistake is not fixing your mistake. The citizens of Illinois shouldn’t have to wait until another election cycle to fix a mistake, no matter who you a attempting to recall.

Comment by Cookie Monster Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Illinois doesn’t have recall rights.The State Reps. and Senators will not vote for it. Because they know they can also be recalled for not doing their jobs.

Comment by Democrat Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:13 pm
Picture this:

Somewhere down the line, IL has a fiscal crisis, and the gov has to cut some popular programs. Immediately there’s talk of a recall and the gov backs down and instead finds a way to smooth over the red ink, letting it lie for the next guy to deal with. That’s what it seems the recall provision could do, is make it impossible for a governor to make any kind of unpopular decision (or even a decision that’s going to tick off more than x people).

Remember, most people ticked at the gov aren’t alleging corruption (for which we have a procedure already in place) but incompetence. If the gov is incompetent now, he was surely incompetent last term, so how is now any more of a crisis than then?

Comment by cermak_rd Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:24 pm
He should be thrown out just for making stupid decisions.
One big mistake was the World Shooting Complex. Very limited income. So they can’t even pay the utility bills.
It is not true if you build it they will come. When it is in the middle of no where even those crazy gun people take a pass.

Comment by Lula May Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:31 pm
Aaron Slick is right on the money. Politicians who support a member of their own party for a higher office - even though there are pitfalls and hazard signs all over the place - should not be surprised when their “leader” or annoited figurehead turns out to be a disappointment. The national GOP is figuring that out the hard way with Dubya, and now Blago is burning the Dems.

Rank-and-file members of both parties need to wake up to this chicanery. Blindly supporting bad candidates only leads to bad policy and government.

And while voters should do their homework, Blago had voters duped. His commercials smacked of Hollywood-esque production and his message were crisp and concise. He hoodwinked those 49.8% of the voters last year, and now he can laugh at us all the up in Ravenswood Manor.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:48 pm
Our situation is beginning to remind me
of what they had in California before
Gray Davis was recalled.”Recall” is a good
idea, provide it’s not TOO easy to force a
recall election AND provided ALL public officials
are subject to it.

Comment by Esteban Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 2:48 pm
As a Repub, I can’t imagine giving The Machine the power to recall the next Repub gov. 25,000 votes to get on the ballot? Heck, they can find that in one good grave yard. I think it would be used and abused by both sides. Ya’ll voted for him, now live with it. I voted for Ryan and I lived with it. Of course, I’m willing to admit that Poshard was a better human being. I don’t ever hear dems willing to admit that about JBT.

Comment by Kudos Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 3:34 pm
Esteban,

No one is manipulating anything to force Blago into doing what he’s doing.

Gov. Davis’ hands were tied by Enron’s fraudulent power-grid manipulations.

So how is this “situation” beginning to remind you of California?

–

Kudos, You’re not trying hard enough. Rich Miller himself had several posts regarding Topinka getting short-shrift, and ArchPundit was never too hard on her (even when she stumbled on the campaign trail).

Comment by Rob_N Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 3:46 pm
seems to me the biggest problem Blago might have with “recall” is something like this-

“No, I don’t recall ever receiving any $1500 cash birthday gifts, Mr. Fitzgerald.”

“I don’t recall Tony Rezko ever telling me to reappoint Stu Levine to those Boards, Agent Smith.”

“Oh no, I don’t ever recall Patti making much money at all from her real estate business. You would have to ask her, Inspector Brown.”

And so on, and so on.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 4:00 pm
Recall is a great recipe for schizoid government.

“I do not support term limits for legislators which only empowers an entrenched bureaucracy at the expense of legislative expertise in critical policy areas.”

Entrenched bureaucracy — and entrenched interest groups as well.

Comment by leo Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 4:03 pm
I can’t believe I’m defending this man, but here goes…

Recall now? No.

Yes, GRod has been a (insert your own term here) ineffective leader. Other states are shaking their heads, wondering ‘What were THEY thinking?’

But is it enough for a Recall? Not yet, I don’t believe.

Wait until he PERSONALLY gets served by the Feds. THEN I think it should start.

If anyone starts a pool, I pick August 2008.

Comment by 312 Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 4:03 pm
Perhaps Two Year Terms for all elected offices would be a workable compromise. Recall or impeachment would take nearly that long and be very disruptive and diverting. Also, since campaigns don’t seem to ever end (especially the gov’s) no harm would be done there, in fact it would be darn good for Rich’s business and the economy in general. I’m not suggesting term limits, just two year terms.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 4:15 pm
I would support a recall, not for incompetence, but for the Governor using the office for his own personal gain. Make no mistake about this guy, he as an agenda for personal gain (national politics) and personal wealth. He is using the state of Illinois to accomplish these personal goals. For these reasons, the voters should be able to recall him. He is like a toy that is found to be dangerous to children or a malfunctioning car that is dangerous to citizens - a recall is in order.

Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 5:07 pm
great then the next governor still has problems with m madigan, the speaker has been in power for what 20 yrs why hasnt he fixed the budget problem before hell he helped make the problem worse now he wants to blame the governor they are equally wrong but that doesnt make either one of them right it is time for madigan to go that would fix a lot of thew state’s problems

Comment by daa Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 5:09 pm
If an elected official isn’t doing their job, why not have a recall provision and let the voters take a stand? I don’t think Blago should be recalled, because the legislature hasn’t passed anything on their own, but would people’s opinions change if he sits on a budget that is passed by the GA, stomps his feet about health care, and forces a shutdown?

Comment by Why Not? Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 5:30 pm
Little Egypt, great post!

Comment by Southern Illinois Voter Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 6:06 pm
Well, one thing he’s apparently been thinking is that in the wealthiest country in history, citizens should be able to afford health care, through government subsidy if necessary. Advanced societies should spend more money on citizens’ health. It’s hard to think of anything more important.

The people who seem to be most excited about this minor budget dispute,in addition to political bloggers of course, are those who feed from the state trough, directly or indirectly. Politicians. State employees. State contractors. State employee unions who need government employees to fill their
coffers. (And talk about corruption–the unions are hardly pure). The education-industrial complex. Emil and his family. The ambitious Lisa and Dad.

Ordinary middle class citizens are far less concerned, because they pay for the feed in that trough, and they don’t want the price for it raised on them yet again. If the delay means no increase in taxes…we’ll wait.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 6:48 pm
So if there is a recall can constituents of the 1st Legislative district recall Tony Munoz and Eddie Acevedo since they do not speak Spanish and yet they represent a heavily Hispanic-Spanish speaking district? This would be grounds on the lack of direct communication/understanding between constituent and state Senator and state Representative.

Comment by J T Donaldson Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 6:50 pm
We’re not debating whether Blagojevich should be recalled. We’re debating if the elected officials in Illinois, such as the Governor, should be able to be recalled. There is no guarantee that a politician will actually do anything they promise during an election campaign; and unfortunately, voters don’t always have anything more on which to judge a candidate, so we need recall to guarantee that someone isn’t able to deceive their way into a full term, where they can do a lot of damage. In addition, what reason is there to punish voters? Exactly what is it that would attempt to deter–their inability to predict the future?

Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 7:05 pm
No mechanism for recall of elected officials in Illinois…oh yeah we already have one…a voting booth…in this corrupt State the ability to recall a publicly elected official makes me shudder…(I am against term limits as well) I can see special interests trumping the will of the voters already…
Cassandra, do you really think Blago gives a rat’s ass about healthcare for all Illinoians? I truly doubt it…here is what guides his policy decisions: self interest and positive headlines…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:20 pm
WHEN Does this guy get a clue? From the Chicago Sun Times:”Blago calls Wednesday an ‘arbitrary’ budget deadline

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is rejecting warnings that Illinois must have a budget in place by Wednesday to avoid financial harm to state employees and schools waiting for government checks.”
There now is NO doubt - the guv has entered the danger zone . . . in so many ways.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:32 pm
Like it or not, what we’re talking about here is along the same lines of why fed judges have lifetime appointments: you don’t want them taking the whims of the moment into account in their decision making. It’s hard enough now to get political leaders to do the tough stuff. It would be impossible with recall. We have the opportunity to get rid of them every two or four years. That’s enough.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:41 pm
Steve, It’s not enough! Two years, OK. This guy’s not being asked to make “tough decisions” just rational ones. He is unfit for the office.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:48 pm
The use of the term “tough decisions” and “lifetime appointments” really has no logic in this gov’s case. Those terms imbue the discussion with a flavor of glory and mysticism. I know you liked state service but it is hardly that, as well as you may have performed.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 8:54 pm
From CBS2Chicago.com - The governor said he agrees with some of his critics who want to change the state constitution so voters could petition for a recall election, for example, to remove a governor from office.

I agree with A. Citizen. When someone has shown the complete ineptness, lack of negotiation ability, borderline insanity, pathological liar, and childish behavior as Blago, it’s definitely time to move him back home. Unfortunately, a recall provision will not come soon enough. Patrick Fitzgerald is our only hope at this point and if he doesn’t come by next election, hopefully the voters will have seen the light. Blago knows he’s safe to come out with this supportive statement.

Federal judges have lifetime appointments so as to keep them from taking the whims of the moment into account in their decision making. Why then do we elect our State judges who must raise campaign cash, suck up to special interests for their money, and no sooner be elected than have to spend spare time raising cash for the next election? And as for Federally appointed judges, ever wonder why there is such a big ruckus on the Senate Judicial Committee when a U.S. Prez presents his nominee for the Supreme Court? It’s because that eventual judge can sway the makeup from conservative to liberal and vice-versa, and thus make sorry changes like take school prayer away. etc. Personally I NEVER vote to retain a judge. I wish I had the same opportunity at the Federal level.

Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:00 pm
you can’t do it for one case in point…a recall has to be a permanant fixture…Blagojevich cannot even be included in the conversation…when discussing the process and whether or not it should be instituted, there should not be mention of Blagojevich but rather just the process and if the purpose would serve democratic principals..in other words if the people have the choice to recall and they have the choice to choose his/her replacement…it can only be a grassroots efforts and the General assembly should not play any role in it because it would only be used as a political tool. There needs to be increased petition guidlines etc to institute a recall…

Comment by sitting and watching it unfold Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 9:57 pm
ok, I quit reading the commens long ago. I am one of those unfortunate state workers stuck in this nightmare, and as entertaining as this blog is, there simply are not enough hours in the day to read all of it and to do my job, which by the way, thanks to this wonderful governor, has cost me my entire summer. Get rid of him already. I’m tired and want to go home. goodnight folks, tomorrow should be interesting….

Comment by stuck.in.this.hell Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 10:28 pm
The voters spoke.

No recall.

Comment by Bill Baar Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:22 pm
Dear Slock from Pumpkin Creek,

Do your research. Rich Miller can confirm that Mike Madigan never was a supporter of Blagojevich at least prior to his first term. Madigan did not endorse anyone for governor in Blago’s first primary. This is fact, and I wouldn’t consider that the makings of a close supporting relationship. Emil Jones is another story. I believe he was with Blago from the get go. It’s all history from there.

Comment by anon Monday, Aug 6, 07 @ 11:27 pm
If incompetence and corruption is not a reason for a recall then what is? I support a ‘recall law’, I believe this would make politicians more accountable for their actions. It should not be totally about a popularity contest, but who is capable of making the right decisions for the citizens of Illinois. You get to a point where people are ‘comfortable’ with the name of the politician and they have no idea what this person is doing. The politician gets ‘comfortable’ with doing nothing and stays in the position. The people will not vote him out because it is outside their ‘comfort zone’.

I think the incompetence statement speaks for itself. I use the term corruption because of all the Federal cases that are being pursued into the Governors office and the Governor does not think the public has a right to know what these entail.

My name says it all, I originally supported him during the first term – not the second.

Comment by disappointed supporter Tuesday, Aug 7, 07 @ 5:39 am
For all you people defending this governor. He stated yesterday he is in favor of giving the people the power to have a recall.
Only this does not apply to him just everyone else.
It is time for Illinois to enact this law and put it to the test. Many other states have given their citizens this option. It’s time for Illinois.

Comment by Lula May Tuesday, Aug 7, 07 @ 7:21 am
This is all just sour grapes. The same people who hated Blago last year, still hate him this year. Big surprise.

Beyond some bitter state workers who don’t think they are getting enough taxpayer booty, I just don’t sense this hatred towards Blago from regular people. I just don’t sense the buyer’s remorse out there that some have deluded themselves into believing exists.

I haven’t met the person yet who is saying, “gee, I wish I had voted for Topinka instead.” That’s the reality.

Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Aug 7, 07 @ 9:08 am
Here is one “regular” (I wish I knew how the “irregular” person came up with this catch phrase)person who wants to try anything to get rid of Blago! How embarrassing to have to tell people I live in the state that’s governed? by him! Gee I wish I had voted for Topinka!!!!

Comment by Hadit Tuesday, Aug 7, 07 @ 3:44 pm
For those of you arguing that recall would be subject to influence by special interests, do you also support the abolishment of voting because it is subject to exactly the same type of influence?

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Aug 8, 07 @ 7:38 am