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The Rod Factor is all-powerful * UPDATED x1 *

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*** UPDATE 1 *** From MSNBC’s “First Read” page…

*** Just askin’: What is taking Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) so long in appointing a successor to Obama in the Senate? It’s not like Obama’s victory two weeks ago was a surprise, right? Isn’t the clock ticking on Blagojevich’s own term, as he bites his nails wondering if there’s a grand jury indictment in his future? So if he doesn’t appoint someone soon, could he end up missing the opportunity?

[ *** End of Update *** ]

* Nobody can escape the Obama replacement speculation these days…

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, after a press conference on mortgage rescue fraud Tuesday, was asked about speculation that she is in the running to replace Barak Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Madigan says she doesn’t think she is in the running. She cited her strained relationship with Governor Blagojevich, who is responsible for naming Obama’s replacement. And Madigan says she is considering a run for Governor in 2010.

She refused to speculate on whether the governor might appoint her to the senate to get her out of the way for his possible reelection run.

* AG Madigan’s full quote…

“I think that because of the interesting political situation here in the state of Illinois it is a chance of less than zero that the governor will be calling me to offer that seat to me,” Madigan said.

She’s probably right about that.

* CNN tries to play it straight and treat this appointment like it’s being made by a normal governor…

Instead, that power rests in the hands of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Democrat. Blagojevich has maintained his decision will not be made in haste, and he wants “to ensure that Obama’s successor will understand and fight for the needs of average Illinoisans.”

There is no clear successor in the wings and in the old school politics that shape the Illinois and Chicago landscape, Blagojevich will likely weigh several factors as he makes this decision notwithstanding his own possible re-election in 2010.

Candidates likely being considered for the open Senate seat:

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis
Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr.
Illinois Attorney Gen. Lisa Madigan
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky

* As I’ve mentioned before, anyone who is appointed to this seat by Gov. Blagojevich will likely suffer political consequences when they try to hold the seat in two years. Barack Obama’s pick for US Attorney General is also apparently tainted by our governor…

[Eric Holder] once had a high-profile job here in Chicago. CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports Holder was the federal prosecutor who announced the indictment of Dan Rostenkowski. He ultimately sent that powerful Chicago congressman to prison. But with the FBI closing in on another top Chicago politician, Holder may face questions about a potential conflict of interest.

Four-and-a-half years ago, he held a news conference in Chicago at the Thompson Center. He had accepted a $300,000 assignment from Rod Blagojevich: Should a company whose chairman had been fined for violating gambling rules in Illinois be allowed to build a half-billion dollar casino in Rosemont?

In the end, it didn’t happen. Holder got into a jurisdictional dispute with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and he did not get the free and total access to all the documents he wanted.

CBS 2 reported this fall that sources told us federal agents believe they’ve already gathered enough evidence to warrant an indictment of Gov. Blagojevich. They add that a grand jury could act before the end of the year.

Should he become U.S. Attorney General, Holder could potentially be asked to sign off on key decisions regarding any prosecution of Blagojevich. Holder now appears to regret getting involved at all with Blagojevich in the ill-fated casino investigation.

Oops.

* Meanwhile, Jim Edgar, Denny Hastert and Bill Daley held an education reform press conference yesterday, but some reporter questions apparently centered on the 2010 governor’s race…

Daley, who is assisting in Obama’s transition effort, would not answer questions about his level of interest in running for Illinois governor in 2010.

* The new task force is expected to produce yet another blue ribbon commission report that will collect dust on a very crowded shelf, so political questions are probably more interesting. Still, it does have some big bucks behind it…

The group has garnered $4.5 million to $5 million in funding for the next three to four years, said Steans. The money comes from various philanthropies, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Joyce Foundation.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:09 am

Comments

Is it true that the State Treasurer announced his intentions to run for gov last night?

Comment by TAG UP Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:16 am
Holder now appears to regret getting involved at all with Blagojevich

Well, for sure that’s worse than doing a quickie OK of Marc Rich’s pardon. I guess he can get past that one, but this will be more uncomfortable questioning during confirmation.

Comment by Pat collins Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:17 am
You tell us, TAG. Seems like you guys in the Treasurer’s office are trying hard to get that out there.

Comment by j Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:21 am
To the Holder question…

In the end, Holder was charged with (rightly) helping to get rid of a casino bid by someone who shouldn’t be getting a casino.

Don’t think this will stick on him too hard. Unless people gloss over the actually issue at hand (as they are wont to do), and instead play the association game.

That game worked really well this Fall, didn’t it…

Comment by j Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:23 am
I don’t think Holder worked here. Holder was a Clinton appointee for U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. That was where and when he indicted Rosty.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:29 am
I contemplated who would be the best choice for Blago to pick for the Senate seat that would do him the most good. I wouldn’t make this suggestion unless I knew full well he won’t.

I think my selection would help Blago traverse the tight rope he is walking-above overly ambitious black politicians who will scream and yell if they don’t get the job.

I think it would make him look thoughtful and creative and would reward a deserving pol who has put his time in, swallowed a lot of pride and would be welcome by virtually all of the black community.

It would be a pick that even Obama, who wants to call the shots would have to say-good choice. I should have thought of that.

It would be a pick that would fully heal some old wounds that are still present in some voters minds from council wars.

I would personally like it because he is not embarrassing the state by campaigning for it.

There are a whole bunch of other reasons I think this would be the best choice, however, time is of the essence so here is my pick-if it is not Bill, of course.

And the winner is,

Judge Timothy Evans!

There ya go Blago.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:30 am
Those foundations clearly have more money than sense. Throwing money at the likes of Edgar, Hastert and Daley is insane.

All of those guys have already been in significant positions of power for many, many years. What did any of them ever do to really advance the ball on education reform?

This smells to me like yet another dishonest road, one that is sooner or later going to lead to another push for higher taxes and more casinos.

Comment by GOP'er Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:32 am
Let’s be honest. The last thing we need is if Blago appoints Madigan to the U.S. Senate seat, him appointing one of his cronnies to the AG spot.

Comment by It's Me Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 10:41 am
The Chuck Todd gang asks the right question, but us locals know that Blago’s me-first persona is the reason he’s stalling. The governor is either waiting for the most lucrative quid pro quo from the senate-seeking vultures, or enjoys basking in the glow of the spotlight a bit too much.

Or maybe he’s tied up battling the deadly carbon deforestation problem.

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:13 am
TAG UP- He did. To an extent at least.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:18 am
I think Rod is just unhinged enough, and angry enough at his fellow D’s for lack of support, to appoint as a 2-year Senator with a promise of not running in 2010: Jim Edgar! I hope this isn’t regarded as “rabid” or a “gratuitous insult”.

Comment by Bruce Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:20 am
Triple-J has Chuck Todd covered like sweat on a summer day. From comments at the MSNBC blog…

I’m rather curious too as to what is taking Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) so long in appointing a successor to Obama in the Senate!
The opportunity will end up missing the African-Americans if Jessie Jackson Jr. is not chosen; especially, since there are already Latino Senators.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, November 19, 2008 10:02 AM)

Comment by Rob_N Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:22 am
The Holder-Rosemont casino issue will not even be discussed unless Senate Republicans bring up the issue.Unless Blago gets indicted between now and Jan.20,2009,Eric Holder probably will not be a big issue.

Comment by Steve Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:51 am
I’m wondering too what is taking Blago so long? He should have had his choices narrowed down before Obama even won.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 11:56 am
Those with testicular virility and an ability to decide would have already named Obama’s appointment. My guess is that the heir-apparent is trying to pull together the requisite financing. “Pay-to-Play on Steroids” may need a new moniker by the time this is all said and done. The longer the delay, the more the Governor could fool himself into thinking that people will give more attention. The reality is that the Governor will please a handful of people with the appointment, but will anger many who thought they had his support but really didn’t.

If his track record on appointing vacancies to state boards and commissions is any indicator, Illinois may be without a 2nd US Senator for months or years to come.

Comment by DzNuts Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 12:19 pm
I’ve figured out how Blagojevich will play it!

He’ll nominate Big Jim to the U.S. Senate in exchange for getting the George Ryan pro bono defense deal.

Is anybody offering Blagojevich a better deal?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 1:11 pm
I don’t thing the stigma of being appointed by the Gov would be too great. The electorate seems to have the attention span of a gnat. By the time election time comes, all will be forgotten.

The real issue is determining how this is to benefit the Gov.

In the meantime Illinois loses a vote on anything being considered through inauguration day. What happens if the bailout fails or succeeds by just one vote? Do we thank the Gov or curse him on that day?

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 1:15 pm
Whomever Ahnold Jr. appoints to Obama’s seat will have to stand next to him at the announcement, amind flowing words of kindness and inspiration. Contrast that image to campaign commercials by GOP (or even other dems in a contested primary) linking the next junior Senator to someone who is reported to be indicted by a grand jury soon. Heck, even if Rod’s not indicted, it will still be the kiss of death. I think voters have longer memories than others on here have given them credit for having. Besides, the little Ahnold will undoubtedly create even more controversy (if that’s humanly possible) between now and the next general election.

I just had an epiphany: I think Rod’s time as Governor would make for a great Oliver Stone movie. Kennedy; Nixon; W; RodMan. That’s one movie I would definitely pay to see.

Comment by DzNuts Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 2:29 pm
Plutocrato3, I agree that too many voters have short attention spans. Within the past 18 months, Gov. Blago, Cook Co. President Stroger, and Mayor Daley proposed tax rate increases. They probably know that, the next time that they run for re-election, the voters will forget what they did, in 2007 & ‘08.

Comment by Phil Collins Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 2:43 pm
The Gov is trying to trade a pardon for any future indictments for the Senate seat. Obama will make the pick and I don’t imagine all of the details has been worked out yet. The Gov is still trying to get his arms around the fact that this is the best way for him to go as I imagine he sees himself as the perfect replacement and a chance for him to move into national politics.

Comment by Harvey Mushman Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:01 pm
Not only does Illinois lose a vote every everytime a bill is on the floor, but whoever is appointed could be going through orientation with the rest of the new Senators and getting his or feet wet — instead they will be lagging when it comes to getting things rolling.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:38 pm
All these elite, effete, Beltway media types have no clue about the Bill for Senate movement and will be caught totally off-guard when the historic announcement is made.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 19, 08 @ 4:49 pm
We know who Rod won’t appoint; he won’t take any one of his possible primary opponents out of the running in hopes that they will all jump in and divide the Anybody But Blago vote. So Alexi, Lisa, and Bill (the Daley, not the Capitol Fax poster) are out of the running.

If I had to guess, I’d say Jan Schakowsky is the pick. But I know better than to try to think too hard like Rod Blagojevich.

Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:44 am
==================
Blagojevich has maintained his decision will not be made in haste, and he wants “to ensure that Obama’s successor will understand and fight for the needs of average Illinoisans.
===================

Is Blago showing signs of clairvoyance? Could be the smartest thing I’ve heard him ever say because here’s the flip-side: How many in Illinois are banking–right or wrong–on Obama and his replacement to be able to easily bring/send home the bacon? And what if the slabs just aren’t big enough or don’t get here quickly enough?

Oh, boy.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 12:54 am
Come to think of it, Carl might be onto something. If I were a Democrat making the decision right now, I’d be fantasizing about tossing an R in with the Lions. At least one would have an excuse if he didn’t walk away alive.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 20, 08 @ 1:03 am