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AP runs impeachment story

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Illinois

* The Associated Press takes note of all the “I-Word” talk…

It started as political banter. But now the idea of trying to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich could be closer than ever to becoming reality. […]

Some lawmakers fear the governor could be asking for more impeachment talk if he brings legislators back to town and they repeat another summer of special sessions and fighting. […]

House Democrats say special sessions alone wouldn’t trigger impeachment but acknowledge the sessions could provide an avenue to pursue it.

The special sessions wouldn’t trigger impeachment. Being in town for an indeterminate length of time after the Rezko verdicts are handed down, however, very well could.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:20 pm

Comments

So could additional indictments relating to his office, family or anything else connected to his role as Governor.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:32 pm
This is an election year. No one but the GOP would want this. Blagojevich is safe.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:32 pm
Lets see…Jones, Watson and Cross work out a capital bill to help the state’s finances together. Despite years of help from organized labor and a bad economy, Madigan lobbies against the capital bill on the House Floor. He will not attend Leader’s meetings and we should impaech the Governor. Give me a break!

Comment by Diane Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:37 pm
Diane,

Three words - Public. Official. A.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:42 pm
He will not be impeached for being incompetent. He may well get impeached for malfeasance.

Comment by in other words Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:43 pm
===This is an election year. No one but the GOP would want this. Blagojevich is safe.===

The GOP’s biggest mistake with George Ryan and George W. Bush was staying tied at the hip until the very end.

Something to think about.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:43 pm
The capital bill was a sham. The financing for it was appalling. The leadership was counting on Madigan to torpedo it.

It’s hard for me to imagine impeachment of the Gov. at this point, but if someone comes up with a smoking gun, it would be a perfect way for Madigan to get back at Rod and Emil. Madigan rides in to rid the state of the hated Gov., and Jones is stuck in Springfield trying the case in the Senate.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:44 pm
Rich,

You are exactly right.

It is time for the Democrats to take out the trash.

– SCAM
so-called “Austin Mayor”
http://austinmayor.blogspot.com

Comment by so-called "Austin Mayor" Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:48 pm
Impeachment is not the proper vehicle for this situation. Impeachment is for the brining of legal charges, not political charges. Recall is the proper vehicle for the bringing of political charges. Unless legislators have legal charges to bring against Blagojevich, they should be talking about implementing a recall process in Illinois.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:50 pm
Squid,

Impeachment is inherently a political issue because it involves politically elected legislators deciding to impeach a politically elected statewide officer.

The Illinois Constitution is pretty loose on letting the lege decide what is impeachable… Besides, the gov’s clearly illegal money-shifting in last year’s budget already is an impeachable offense (if the political will existed).

–

Vanilla,

You may be right - the guv does still have quite a few allies in both chambers. But, impeaching him would also be a political boon for Dems seeking to bolster indy cred and it would remove the major gripe GOP candidates are clinging to.

The guv has approval ratings that are not just in the toilet, they’re in the sewer… not much to lose politically by impeaching him.

Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 2:58 pm
I think the AP wanted to get an impeachment story out before the Rezko verdict. Just made it.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:20 pm
The people of this state can not longer except this do nothing Governor who is as corrupt as you can get.
Impeachment might be the only way of stopping a positive ConCon vote in November and maybe changing the status quo in Illinois.

Comment by decaturvoter Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 3:22 pm
Who cares if it’s an election year. Wrong is wrong. Slam dunk him and let the chips fall. There’s nothing special about any of them.

Comment by Disgusted Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 5:52 pm
Rob, the very idea that certain things are impeachable and others are not only supports the assertation that one must have CAUSE when attempting to impeach (i.e. bring legal charges.) Of course, the process will be affected by politics; but inherently, it’s not a matter of political charges–it’s a matter of actual accused wrongdoing. On the other hand, recall requires no cause. It’s perfectly legitimate to recall an elected official for any reason whatsoever, including disfavor, even when there isn’t any official wrongdoing.

Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 6:14 pm
As far as impeachable offenses go the Governor is in violation of his own Ethics Act. As an employee of the state I’m required to do an annual ethics review. We are reminded that if it even appears unethical then you should consider that it is and not take that action lest you face disciplinary action.

That noted I would say that a lot of the Governor’s actions appear to be unethical. Yet another item to use in articles of impeachment.

Comment by Kevin Highland Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 7:09 pm
Diane,

Three words. Public official A. It just doesn’t look good for him. And…. who in the heck trusts this man.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 7:17 pm
Ethics? What Ethics? The Governor is the biggest joke ever. Democrates or Republcians we need new faces new names and we need to clean house on both the House and the Senate that will be the only way to solve this problem. Le’s be honest we need a new beginning with all new people.

Comment by Springfield Watcer Wednesday, Jun 4, 08 @ 10:38 pm