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* I e-mailed Sen. Dick Durbin’s press staff today asking if the Senator and Gov. Rod Blagojevich had ever hooked up to discuss Barack Obama’s US Senate replacement. Here’s the reply…
Yes. They connected this afternoon by phone.
Will wonders never cease?
* Meanwhile, I’m with Larry. Nate Silver has no clue what he’s talking about…
The way Democrats lose [Obama’s US Senate] seat is if they pick a nominee who (i) has some heretofore-unknown scandal or, (2) just doesn’t have the political acumen to click at the statewide level, particularly on his or her first try and a high-profile position as US Senator.
The best way to prevent these things would be to appoint a placeholder like Jones and then let the younger candidates battle it out on a level playing field in the primaries
Emil Jones would prevent that, eh? I’d beg to differ.
The only placeholder I could possibly support is Bill.
* Joe Biden has been replaced, but Gov. Blagojevich said today that he’s still working on his Obama replacement decision…
The governor also said he was not ready to make an appointment to Obama’s old Senate seat. He has had a team working on vetting candidates for weeks.
In some of his remarks, he implied he may do so by Christmas, but he gave no indication of who might get the plum appointment.
“We are still working on it,” he said. “It is a process that requires a lot of deliberation. It is not the sort of thing you should push.”
You’d better comment quickly, because I’m just about to shut ‘er down for the holiday.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:08 pm
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Bill. I took care of that little “business” we discussed.
Consider your record sealed. That should make this go a lot smoother.
Comment by GoBearsss Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:14 pm
I wish Nate would stick to regression.
Comment by Greg Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:14 pm
I’ll bet anyone that can secure Pro-Bono legal work gets moved to the head of the line. Not that anyone needs help paying legal expenses….
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:15 pm
Is Blago trying to make sure that the new Senator does NOT get any additional seniority over his or her newly elected colleagues? This was a concern Durbin brought up last week.
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:17 pm
SS-
If the new senator is a placeholder, seniority is a moot point. If the new senator is meant to be a potential long term fixture, the appointment timing makes a lot of difference.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:23 pm
the governor is right. this is a very serious decision and it should not be rushed, nor is it appropriate for JJJ to be lobbying as hard as he is for it. The governor deserves the time necessary to make the right decision for the people of this state.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:31 pm
Kudos to Governor Minner, and Beau Biden - I might not mind living in a Democrat-dominated stated quite as much if any of their local partisan counterparts were a little more like them. I guess the closest thing to the complete opposite of this reasonable and fair appointment would be elevating Jesse Jackson, Jr. - so that is what I now expect Rod to do.
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:34 pm
Emergency session, impeachment, removal, Quinn appoints someone qualified. We can dream, can’t we?
Comment by Excessively rabid Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:42 pm
Nah - I think even Santa is going to fly over Illinois this year. All we get politically is coal for our stockings!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:43 pm
Yesssss, thank you GoBearsss. Now if you will just put in a good word for me with our mutual friend, I’ll be all set. You won’t regret it.
Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:55 pm
Congrats Bill, your group has passed the 300 mark. Another Holiday Miracle!
Comment by Juice Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 4:57 pm
It clear that Hollywood Hendon is the only possible appointee who could bring IL together Blagoof should name him immediately.
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 5:02 pm
Since when is Bill a placeholder?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 7:27 pm
Thank goodness we have Durbin. I see a big play for the republicans if he appoints Emil, the sobbing Jesse Jr. ” give me a break on my traffic ticket Danny, and of course North Shore Jan Schakowski( is her hubby still doing time?) Why not Hynes who came in 2nd for the seat to begin with?
Comment by downhereforyears Monday, Nov 24, 08 @ 7:51 pm
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Pingback by Gov. Blagojevich taking his time with Senate appointment | A Chicago Blog Tuesday, Nov 25, 08 @ 8:43 am
Best line of the interview was, “I’m going to give someone a Senate seat for Christmas.”
I wonder if Patrick Fitzgerald has anything to give to Blago for Christmas.
Comment by ZC Tuesday, Nov 25, 08 @ 9:10 am
excessively rabid - you missed a step or two.
First comes the indictments with full info on them, then comes the special session to impeach, then after impeachment and the successful Senate trial Quinn signs the needed tax increase and restructuring of revenues coming in, and then Quinn is encouraged to appoint himself to the US Senate so that the next in line for the gubernatorial spot according to the state constitution succeeds him — Lisa Madigan, with the revenues issue already resolved.
Comment by Capitol View Tuesday, Nov 25, 08 @ 4:13 pm
[…] Rich Miller informs us that the Governor and Durbin spoke about the Senate seat, but no word on what was said or when we in Illinois will again be represented by two people in the US Senate. Methinks Blagojevich likes this attention and will keep it going as long as possible. Every day an article is written speculating who he will choose or who he has contacted is a day he has dodged questions about Rezko and his impending indictment. Bravo, Blago. Share this True/Slant: […]
Pingback by Still no news | The Great State of Chicago Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 5:08 pm