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Impeachment memo: Preventing another George Ryan party meltdown

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* As I’ve told you before, the House Republicans are criticizing Speaker Michael Madigan for refusing to put aside his personal and policy disagreements with Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The impeachment memo was ostensibly written on behalf of a House Democratic candidate who is up against GOP Rep. Brent Hassert. Rep. Hassert has repeatedly complained that Madigan and his House Democrats are allowing their hatred to interfere with real progress.

This story is from Monday…

Emily McAsey , the Democratic candidate for 85th District state, last week issued a statement calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich ’s impeachment in the aftermath of his buddy Tony Rezko’s conviction. Not only that, McAsey of Lockport accuses her Republican opponent, Rep. Brent Hassert of Romeoville, of not being tough enough on the Democratic governor.

“His (Hassert’s) attitude shows exactly what is wrong in Springfield right now: Republicans and Democrats covering up and protecting each other when something is amiss,” McAsey said in a written statement.

* There’s something else at play here. In retrospect, the Republicans made a big mistake by refusing to distance themselves from George Ryan and denounce him for being a crook. These points illustrate how Madigan intends to position his candidates…

• As a Democrat, I believe this to be a very sad time for our state. After the corruption and conviction of Republican George Ryan, I was optimistic that the state would begin a new era. The ways of the past would truly remain in the past. Instead, a member of my own party, the first Democratic governor in 26 years, may have sought to do George Ryan one better. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald described his investigations into Governor Blagojevich’s administration as “pay-to-play on steroids.”

• It is critically important that we learn from the past - in particular Republican mistakes around George Ryan. Democrats need to stand together and tell Blagojevich that in the best interests of Illinois and in the best interests of Democrats and the type of policies that we are trying to achieve for the state, he should come clean about what’s going on in his administration or he should step aside.

* And from the Q&A section…

People are frustrated with the governor and dismayed to see a possible replay of the Ryan administration.

Do you think this gambit will work? Again, please stick to the topic at hand. There’s more coming. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:03 am

Comments

It might, reguardless it is their best bet to step as far away from the Governor as they can.

If I were to bet I think (sadly as a Republican) that they will end up pulling it off.

Even with Obama I think if the Senate Dems don’t take the same apporach they may end up losing a seat.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:08 am
Not only did the Republicans make a big mistake by not distancing themselves, their BIGGEST mistake was to run a candidate with the SAME LAST NAME!! That was their downfall.

I don’t believe the Democrats can do that.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:10 am
Rich is being charitable in writing, “The impeachment memo was ostensibly written on behalf of a House Democratic candidate who is up against GOP Rep. Brent Hassert.”

“A” candidate? Just one?

Thanks for the laugh.

–

Rich also writes, “In retrospect, the Republicans made a big mistake by refusing to distance themselves from George Ryan and denounce him for being a crook.”

…Same thing can be said of the irrational loyalty to Bush, only just now beginning to crack as McCain throws him under the bus (even as he seeks to continue and expand many of his policies).

–

Finally, this “gambit” already is working.

All the points Madigan wanted to make are completely public now, through a “leaked” memo.

Candidates who want to call for impeachment can agree with the memo.

Candidates who want to distance themselves from Blagojevich but don’t want the drama of an impeachment proceeding can agree with the points in the memo, even while disagreeing with its intent.

As a bonus, if Blagojevich calls special sessions, we all know what’s on the table. He can call a session, but Madigan can set the agenda and let Fritchey or someone else go to town.

And, most important, nobody’s talking about Lisa because we shouldn’t mention her name…

Wait. How’d that get in there?

Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:13 am
It might but it’s because the distance Madigan put between himself and the Gov long ago, not with this.

If this current move tarnishes Obama e.g. if McCain equals four more years of Bush, then why not Obama equals four years of Blagojevich & Jones’s Springfield; then I think Madigan will have some big time explaining to do to his fellow Democrats accross the country.

But knowing Chicago, I’m not sure if Chicago Pols much interested in what the rest of the country thinks….

Comment by Bill Baar Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:14 am
Won’t Blagojevich now do something completely over the top? This seems specifically intended to get Blagojevich to respond in a big, weird way.

OTOH, if Blagojevich *doesn’t* respond — how many more things can he refuse to respond to? Aren’t we at the point now where we expect answers from our governor? (Or not? I mean, maybe folks are fine with Blagojevich continuing to say nothing and then run for re-election.)

Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:18 am
While I don’t fully understand the timing of the release of the memo, I am mindful of the wisdom I have often heard repeated: “Don’t bet against the Speaker.” Apparently, this governor never heard that or chose to ignore it. Big mistake.

Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:39 am
It’s a wise move to distance from Blago. I think it could work, since it’s being done so early.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:45 am
This will fire Blago’s rocket big time. Can’t wait for the fireworks.

Comment by Little Egypt Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 9:54 am
Can MM call a Special Session of the House to deal with this issue even though it is the “Off Season” for legislators?

Comment by Dirt Guy Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 10:11 am
Rich I have to take issue with your claim that the Republicans refused to distance themselves from George Ryan. As I recall, the Republican party went to George Ryan and told him not to bother running for a second term, he would not get the nomination. The Democrats, on the other hand, did allow Rod Blago to run for a second term even though the events in the Tony Rezko trail had already transpired and it was widely assumed that our beloved governor was public official A. I’m not trying to say that republicans are without sin but I think you might be doing a little history renovation here.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 11:50 am
Rich is right about the GOP suffering because they stayed loyal to King George. It’s comical to see Cross defend Rod by attacking the Madigan impeachment memo.

Comment by Reformer Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:05 pm
Well,
thank you for that insightful retort Reformer. I’m, I, I’m speechless.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:52 pm
It’s your political funeral, ImtellenYou.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 1:55 pm
I believe I made my point. The republican party DID tell George Ryan NOT to run for again. I remember that clearly. As I recall, it made him madder than hell and he began sticking it to his own party shortly after. I believe that qualifies as DISTANCING themselves from him. Maybe not far enough by your estimation but it’s a detail you seem to want to gloss over and I have to say, I’m a little surprised.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:28 pm
===The republican party DID tell George Ryan NOT to run for again.===

That’s a total stretch. The GOP never once suggested that he be recalled, impeached, forced to resign, whatever. They never investigated him. They never spoke up against him (nobody in politics did, on either side, because he was handing out the goodies). They tied themselves to him and they went down with him. For crying out loud, JBT was on tape saying how much she loved him. Did you see the turnout at his farewell picnic?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:31 pm
All the facts you stated may be true but that still doesn’t negate the one fact that the Republicans told George R. that he would not get the nomination and not to run for reelection and I remember that clearly. The democrats,on the other hand, stood by and supported him Blago in the last election. Actions speak louder than words.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:46 pm
Yeah, but you guys are standing by Rod now. Explain that.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:53 pm
And one more thing. . .

“The GOP never once suggested that he be recalled, impeached, forced to resign, whatever.”

Neither did the Democrats during Blago’s FIRST term. It;s only now after he put them through hell last year that they finally started thinking the unthinkable.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 2:53 pm
ImTellenYou, George Ryan’s campaign fund was hit with a RICO charge during his term in office, and they still didn’t do anything. You got no case. You can blame them for Rod’s reelection, but now it’s y’all who are sticking by him. Bizarre.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:01 pm
“but now it’s y’all who are sticking by him. Bizarre.”

NOT ME!!!!! And what makes you think that I’m in the y’all group. Maybe I’m an independent thinker.

Comment by ImTellenYou Wednesday, Jun 11, 08 @ 3:25 pm