Congratulations to new RNC Chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee (RNC), after a somewhat arduous voting process, has elected Michael Steele as its Chairman.

Among other notable career highlights, Steele is the former Lt. Gov of Maryland, and he came to speak at the Spring Dinner of the Lake County Republican Federation a few years back. He was great.

More like him, please.

Terry Link Feels "Duped" By Governor; Seeks to Remind Voters of George Ryan

No one ever said State Senator Terry Link was stupid, but it appears he may want us to think he, and the rest of the Illinois Democrats, are. He realizes that, just as the conviction and imprisonment of former Governor George Ryan cast a pall over the entire Republican Party, so too has the conviction and removal from office of just-now-former Governor Rod Blagojevich will affect all Democrats. So, it appears he wants you to think he's stupid, because that's probably better than being labeled as a Blagojevich supporter and enabler, now that Blago's been kicked out of office.

So, what's Link's spin?

Well, it's twofold: first, act shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you! Link bemoaned the fact that the darned governor DUPED them (the Democrats), for criminy sakes! Next, in fact, in the very same breath, remind everyone that the very last governor that is now sitting in prison was Republican George Ryan.

Of course, now that a Dem has been removed from office and may well be headed to jail, it's not the GOP's fault that George Ryan was a crook... they were DUPED too, and all of a sudden, not all Illinois Republicans are bad... they were victims too, just like us Dems are now.

Pathetic.

There's a huge difference between Ryan and Blago. Ryan knew he was under a cloud when it came time for his re-election, and the GOP knew it too. The GOP polices its own, and Ryan knew he wouldn't survive a primary if he ran.

Conversely, who stood behind Rod Blagojevich in 2006? The very same Democrats that are now condemning him, since it's only recently become politically necessary. Where was Pat Quinn in 2006? Right behind Blago. Same for Madigan, Link, and the rest of the Dems. For anyone who might otherwise be fooled, check out the list of what was known about Blago's issues BEFORE he ran for another term in 2006.

Let's not let them think for a second that we've been fooled. We know that when Link, Senator Michael Bond and the rest of the Blagojevich 26 had a chance to vote to adopt a recall provision for the governor, they passed. For every story about federal subpoenas, investigations, etc., there was dead silence.

Now Link's playing the victim. He was DUPED, he says! Poor Terry. His own campaign workers DUPE him, the leader of the state DUPES him, what's a Dem to do?

Senator Dan Rutherford Keeps Us Updated on the Blagojevich Impeachment Trial Front Lines

Here's more video from Senator Dan Rutherford, trying to make the bizarre and sublime proceedings in Springfield make some sort of sense.

Here's yesterday's lunchtime update:



Rutherford predicts that the vote may well happen on Thursday, although you already know, if you've been keeping up with developments, that Blago is expect to actually show up and address the Senate 'jurors', when he has thus far repeatedly shunned the entire process as unfair.

Over at Capitol Fax Blog, speculation has been rampant about what the goofy governor is up to this time. Will he resign at the end of his speech? Will he name names, or subtly threaten too if the Senators vote to impeach him? Or might he even call for a secret ballot, in the hope that there is enough support for him that might vote against impeachment if such Senator were free of the political repercussions that would inevitably flow from a vote not to impeach.

Here's the afternoon update, talking about the conclusion of all of the witness and evidence, and also talks about Blago's expected closing statement. Rutherford explains that since Blago's speech is a 'closing' and not testimony, the Senators will not be able to ask him any questions.

Senator Terry Link's Campaign Worker Pleads Guilty in Petition Fraud Case (UPDATED)

This just in...

The Daily Herald is reporting that Kenneth Davison, one of the two campaign workers hired by State Senator Terry Link's campaign to pass nominating petitions last year (some of which included the "signatures" of dead people), has plead guilty to nine counts of perjury.

More as this develops...

UPDATED: Here's a short article from the News-Sun.

Illinois Senator Dan Rutherford Updates Us on Day 2 of the Impeachment Trial of Rod Blagojevich

Here's the next two installments of Illinois Senator Dan Rutherford's video update of the impeachment trial (in abstentia, of course) of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Here's the lunchtime status:



And here's the day's wrap-up:

Illinois Senator Dan Rutherford's Video Update of the Senate Trial of Governor Rod Blagojevich

State Senator Dan Rutherford (one of the hardest-working members of the General Assembly that I know) gives us a video overview of the procedure and issues of the State Senate trial of Governor Rod Blagojevich. Dan promises to update us with further videos as the proceedings continue. Great idea, Senator! h/t Illinois Review.

Please use this as our impeachment trial open thread for today. Also, be sure to check out Capitol Fax Blog for the best coverage as we continue with the Blago circus.

Dick Durbin to Mark Kirk: Don't Worry, We Have It All Under Control

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today told the voters that Congressman Mark Kirk's recent stimulus bill amendment to block impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich from being able to access or disburse any stimulus funds that the State of Illinois might receive from the federal government was unnecessary, since the Illinois Senate would doubtless remove Blago long before any stimulus money was available to Illinois.

Swell. Given the way this thing has been going, first, I'd say there are no guarantees about anything having to do with Blago. Second, and more importantly, Dick Durbin's credibility on just about anything is shot, considering he: asked for convicted former governor George Ryan to get out of jail early; was the first to call for a special election for the Obama senate seat, only to back away once he realized Mark Kirk could win a special election; and then stated emphatically that there was no way the U.S. Senate would seat a Blago appointee, until, whoops, they did. (Durbin has been giving people all sorts of useful advice lately, whether the issue really concerns him or not.) For a compilation of the many changing moods of Dick Durbin, see here.

Lest we not forget, this is the same Dick Durbin who said he was "stunned" upon learning of Rod Blagojevich's arrest by the Feds. Apparently the poor man was so clueless he had no idea what a crook Blago was, nor of all the warning signs leading up to Blago's eventual arrest (of course, Mike Madigan apparently was clueless too, and don't forget Pat Quinn, so perhaps this is an endemic "hear no evil, see no evil" problem among all the Dems).

But Durbin now wants us to believe he's got it all under control, thank you, no need for Mark Kirk to help. Durbin even takes a dig at the drafting of the Kirk amendment... perhaps Durbin didn't know that Democratic Conggressman Bill Foster also sponsored the amendment.

Ah, I feel so much better, Mr. Durbin, now that you're on the job.