One of the very latest twists in the saga of the hapless (and perhaps very temporary) Senator Roland Burris is that the notion of a special election is being revived, by none other than Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), who, as we know, has had her eye on this seat as long as anyone, if not longer. Dems, while they seem to be almost universally abandoning Burris (heck, even Ellen of the Tenth says give him the axe), are not all quite ready to sign on to the idea, with some, such as Congressman Phil Hare (IL-17), insisting that Burris resign, but favoring the idea that Governor Pat Quinn should make an appointment and save the cost of a special election, especially since the primary is less than a year away.
As we all know, prior demands for a special election fell on deaf ears and were ignored, as soon as the original call for such a special election from the likes of Senator Dick Durbin were withdrawn as soon as the Dem leadership realized they might be in serious danger of losing the seat. That led to paralysis, which led to Blago making the appointment, and the rest is history (although the history appears to be unfolding right before our eyes). The Chicago Tribune in a Friday editorial calls for Governor Quinn and the state legislature to revise the law to provide for a special election. Will it happen? And if so, who will be the likely contenders for the spot?
(re)Enter Mark Kirk.
Once again, Kirk's name is making the top of the list of likely contenders on the GOP side, and the Dems on the local and national levels are UNhappy. Once again, there seems to be a rift among the leading Democrats as to whether their party can risk an actual, fair race decided by the people at this point. And, once again, Pat Quinn seems to be in the middle of this and may make the deciding call as to whether the people of Illinois finally get a say in this mess, or if the Democrats continue to circle the wagons and shoot down anyone who tries to thwart them.
Will Kirk get a shot at a special election bid, aided by Schakowski, who is apparently willing to risk losing if it means she gets a shot at winning? The line on this issue changes by the hour, so stay tuned, campers.
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7 comments:
I think Mark is the next Richard Lugar, but I don't see the Democrats handing the Republican Party a Senate Seat, not with the fate of Obama's agenda lying in the Senate.
There's no shortage of idiocy in demland these days, but the guys running obama's white house have CLOBBERED Republicans here and around the country the last few years, because they are smart and know how to make moves.
FOKLAES
I thought I read somewhere that the Illinois Constitution would not allow for a Special Election for the Senate seat. The Governor appoints a replacement until the 'next general election', which in this case is November 2010.
Even with today's Tribune all but demanding a special election so that our State begins to work it's way back to a bit of respectibility, I don't see it happening. I also don't see the Democrat US Senate forcing Roland to leave. It will take something ominous on those stil to be heard Blagojevich tapes that seals the fate of Roland and perhaps others.
I hate to admit it, Foklaes, but I share your thinking about Rahm and Axelrod taking control so that the Senate seat will not go to any Republican. Remember, they wanted Valerie Jarrett in there in the first place, so I'm sure that they're going to come up with something that they've cooked up to keep that vote in their column. I hope that Burris stops talking because the more he speaks, the deeper the hole.
Don't rely on Quinn to make an intelligent appointment.
He just appointed Jack Lavin to act as one of his chief of staffs in Illinois. You know Lavin, former Blagojevich appointee, appointed through Tony Rezko, and a former Rezko employee?
With everyone screaming over ethics these days and the slime that is Illinois politics, Quinn goes and appoints a Rezko guy?
Louis G. Atsaves
They aren't idiots, they can see an ivy league educated fighter pilot reformer standing there waiting to take a slam at some thug from the city in an open election. These are great clips btw that one, showcase our fine congressman,
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/167gluku.asp
but also with respect to Arlen Specter, show the harsh realities he faces. People like Mark have ZERO shot at winning statewide for anything until we start dominating new trier, highland park, dupage county, melissa bean's district ect again.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/ol_20090218_5074.php
I think Mark should stay put in the 10th.
Treasurer Giannoulis has nearly been crowned the next US Senator from Illinois.
He's travelling with Mr. Durbin in Greece and Turkey acting as an ambassor to Greece negotiating resolutions to pressing issues overseas.
Anyone remember Jesse Jackson taking Blago to Serbia? Look what happened after that!
All the while, local media (with the exception of the Sun Times)ignores it until the national spotlight is on them.
The corruption in this State is so bad that most people don't even vote! In Chicago, those that don't vote will have their Ward Bosses assign folks to vote for them.
All the while, the "attorney for the people" Lisa Madigan searches toy stores for products that are "unsafe".
Lisa Madigan repeatedly ignores the public corruption, unless it is thrown in her face and the media holds a mike in front of her. Then the attorney for the people pipes up. By that time, a letter from the US Attorney is on her desk stating, "don't worry little girl, we'll handle this one as well..."
Unless there is a revolt or Chicago Tea Party, voters will not mobilize...because ultimately, they don't believe they can make a difference.
I would love to see Bill O'Reilly, Greta Van Sustern, or Lou Dobbs broadcasting live from Chicago for a couple of weeks. That is the only hope for the systemic changes needed in this State to end corruption.
Anon makes a good point -- the Dems really do seem to be thinking "we can't have a splintered primary and put up a lefty like Jan S. or heaven forbid a polarizer like Jesse J.J., so let's anoint Alex G." Heck, between Dick Durbin and another member of the Obama basketball, who needs earmarks?
Just kidding -- I'd probably vote against Kirk in a special election, but I'd be disgusted at this point with anything but a special election and if Kirk wins, bless him.
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