NationStates Jolt Archive

Its been nearly a month now since Obama has won the election, and I still don't remember seeing a thread about this. But since Obama is no longer in the Senate, and neither will be Hillary Clinton, and maybe a few others. Who do you think should get those seats. Here in Illinois the Governor of the state gets to decide who replaces an empty senate seat. Since Ol' Blaggo is a tool of the Daley political machine, it is like he will choose a Chicagoland politician. The names thrown out so far have been Jesse Jackson, Jr. , Jan Schakowsky, Danny Davis, and Emil Jones. As a Southern Illinois resident, all I can do is scoff at those choices. I would love to have someone that represented the rest of the state to be a Senator for us, instead of just Chicago politics, like usual. Anyways, I am not sure how it works in New York, or who is even being thrown around there for the spot. It'd be interesting to see what some of my fellow Illinoisans thought about this open seat issue.

:)

Also, sorry if this has been talked about before. I forgot to search about it.

I think you're the first to make a separate topic of it, but we'd discussed it before in this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=567269).

There are quite a few open seats in a variety of locations. Here's a partial listing:


Barack Obama, Junior Senator, Illinois - Blagojevich appointment
Joe Biden, Senior Senator, Delaware - Governor Minner plans to appoint Ted Kaufman to 2 year term (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apZPaTS_UmpM&refer=home)
Hillary Clinton, Junior Senator, New York - Governor Paterson appointment - possibly Thomas Suozzi (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/25/thomas-suozzi-hillary-cli_n_146438.html), Andrew Cuomo (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/11/22/cuomo-favored-hillary-clintons-senate-seat/), others (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/23/AR2008112302366.html)
Rahm Emanual, Congressman, Illinois 5th - Blagojevich appointment, but Daley may be Kingmaker
Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano - will be replaced by Republican AZ SecState Jan Brewer (via state succession)

I think you're the first to make a separate topic of it, but we'd discussed it before in this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=567269).

There are quite a few open seats in a variety of locations. Here's a partial listing:


Barack Obama, Junior Senator, Illinois - Blagojevich appointment
Joe Biden, Senior Senator, Delaware - Governor Minner plans to appoint Ted Kaufman to 2 year term (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apZPaTS_UmpM&refer=home)
Hillary Clinton, Junior Senator, New York - Governor Paterson appointment - possibly Thomas Suozzi (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/25/thomas-suozzi-hillary-cli_n_146438.html), Andrew Cuomo (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/11/22/cuomo-favored-hillary-clintons-senate-seat/), others (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/23/AR2008112302366.html)
Rahm Emanual, Congressman, Illinois 5th - Blagojevich appointment, but Daley may be Kingmaker
Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano - will be replaced by Republican AZ SecState Jan Brewer (via state succession)



Ahh, thanks for that. You listed some positions that I completely forgot about.

Its been nearly a month now since Obama has won the election, and I still don't remember seeing a thread about this. But since Obama is no longer in the Senate, and neither will be Hillary Clinton, and maybe a few others. Who do you think should get those seats. Here in Illinois the Governor of the state gets to decide who replaces an empty senate seat. Since Ol' Blaggo is a tool of the Daley political machine, it is like he will choose a Chicagoland politician. The names thrown out so far have been Jesse Jackson, Jr. , Jan Schakowsky, Danny Davis, and Emil Jones. As a Southern Illinois resident, all I can do is scoff at those choices. I would love to have someone that represented the rest of the state to be a Senator for us, instead of just Chicago politics, like usual. Anyways, I am not sure how it works in New York, or who is even being thrown around there for the spot. It'd be interesting to see what some of my fellow Illinoisans thought about this open seat issue.

:)

Whoever it is probably isn't even going to represent Chicago. Blagojevich is a nut.

Someone has been speculating that Bill will be appointed to fill his wife's seat. They were talking about it on CNN. Probably just idle gossip though.

I think you're the first to make a separate topic of it, but we'd discussed it before in this thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=567269).

There are quite a few open seats in a variety of locations. Here's a partial listing:


Barack Obama, Junior Senator, Illinois - Blagojevich appointment
Joe Biden, Senior Senator, Delaware - Governor Minner plans to appoint Ted Kaufman to 2 year term (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=apZPaTS_UmpM&refer=home)
Hillary Clinton, Junior Senator, New York - Governor Paterson appointment - possibly Thomas Suozzi (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/25/thomas-suozzi-hillary-cli_n_146438.html), Andrew Cuomo (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/11/22/cuomo-favored-hillary-clintons-senate-seat/), others (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/23/AR2008112302366.html)
Rahm Emanual, Congressman, Illinois 5th - Blagojevich appointment, but Daley may be Kingmaker
Arizona Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano - will be replaced by Republican AZ SecState Jan Brewer (via state succession)


Good old democracy.

paul simon's bow tie for obama's seat. it satisfies the downstate requirement, yeah?

Whoever it is probably isn't even going to represent Chicago. Blagojevich is a nut.

This times 10000000

paul simon's bow tie for obama's seat. it satisfies the downstate requirement, yeah?

It is, however, smarter thatn Gov. Blag, so he might feel threatened and not appoint it.

da duh dunn!

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html

Feds take Gov. Blagojevich into custody
...
Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges.

Blagojevich and Harris were accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy that included Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife.

da duh dunn!

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html

So Generic FBI officer then?

da duh dunn!

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/source-feds-take-gov-blagojevich-into-custody.html
oh my god.

he better name a replacement today while he waits to be arraigned. gotta get it in before he is removed from office.

So Generic FBI officer then?

greatest. undercover sting. ever.

The Janitor?

Caroline Kennedy will likely replace Clinton. It's not who I would like, considering that Kennedy hasn't shown any interest in progressive causes in the past when it was less politically mainstream and seems to be only looking to ride the Obama coattails into the senate. She'll likely be a target of the future GOP establishment, which is troubling.

As for Obama, tt's hard to say (with Blagojevich going to prison and all). Jesse Jackson Jr.?

They mention Andrew Cuomo as a likely choice for the open slot, as he's a likely threat in the next primary. Would've been best if they didn't use that sort of criteria, but...

Replace them with unfed lions. It will go well, trust me :)

So Generic FBI officer then?

head of the FBI as directed by bush actually.

Caroline Kennedy will likely replace Clinton. It's not who I would like, considering that Kennedy hasn't shown any interest in progressive causes in the past when it was less politically mainstream and seems to be only looking to ride the Obama coattails into the senate. She'll likely be a target of the future GOP establishment, which is troubling.

As for Obama, tt's hard to say (with Blagojevich going to prison and all). Jesse Jackson Jr.?

they might move for a special election. though i dont know if the democrats in Illinois will go for it.

That would depend on the Chicago Machine I would supect. Feeling cyncial, I would supect who ever gives the most bribes or makes the most promises to the Mafia will get the Governorship of Illinois.

I was going to take Obama's Senate seat, but Blago's arrest means that my auction bid is no longer good. :(

That would depend on the Chicago Machine I would supect. Feeling cyncial, I would supect who ever gives the most bribes or makes the most promises to the Mafia will get the Governorship of Illinois.

chicago's corruption doesn't work quite like that. rosemont, sure. but you've got it backwards for the broader illinois machine.

I was going to take Obama's Senate seat, but Blago's arrest means that my auction bid is no longer good. :(

yeah funny the first time the feds stopped something before ebay did.

chicago's corruption doesn't work quite like that. rosemont, sure. but you've got it backwards for the broader illinois machine.


Ah, most of what I know of Ilinois is I've been told by my parents who grow up there and my relatives who live there in the Capital, Springfield and some of the surrounding towns repectively.

Didn't make me want to go there other than to visit relatives once in an long while.

chicago's corruption doesn't work quite like that. rosemont, sure. but you've got it backwards for the broader illinois machine.

Yeah you also have your unions to pay off, and you got to get the sponsership of big business.

yay, more elections for us!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g_rAS09kDgReHxvRfWv5ZpKbPCDQD94VEL2O0
Democrats urge special election to succeed Obama

By CHARLES BABINGTON – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic leaders in Washington and Illinois urged the Illinois Legislature on Tuesday to quickly schedule a special election to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat rather than leave that power in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's hands.

Blagojevich, a second-term Democrat, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI which alleged he sought favors to influence his choice for Obama's replacement.

Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who called the charges shocking, said he would soon call his chamber into session to pass a bill to establish a special election to fill the vacancy. State House Speaker Michael Madigan said he was prepared to convene the House on Monday for the same purpose.

They did so shortly after Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., urged the Legislature to act, and by a margin that could withstand a Blagojevich veto.

"No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement," Durbin, told reporters in Washington.

Well, I was right, depressingly enough.

On the bright side Blagojevich doesn't get to pick the seat anymore.

The Janitor?dang, somebody beat me to it. i was going to say staff handymen or cabinetmakers.

Well, I was right, depressingly enough.

On the bright side Blagojevich doesn't get to pick the seat anymore.Why? Has anything been done to prevent him from being able to do so yet?

Why? Has anything been done to prevent him from being able to do so yet?

since impeachment is set to begin immediately if he doesn't resign, nobody is likely to accept even if he makes the offer - nobody serious will want this hanging over their head. plus, the senate is unlikely to let in anyone he appoints anyway, and ultimately they get to make that call.

since impeachment is set to begin immediately if he doesn't resign, nobody is likely to accept even if he makes the offer - nobody serious will want this hanging over their head. plus, the senate is unlikely to let in anyone he appoints anyway, and ultimately they get to make that call.Yeah, I'm hoping they'll manage to impeach him by January. He could still pick himself, though, if nothing's happened by then.

since impeachment is set to begin immediately if he doesn't resign, nobody is likely to accept even if he makes the offer - nobody serious will want this hanging over their head. plus, the senate is unlikely to let in anyone he appoints anyway, and ultimately they get to make that call.

yeah if the senate were close to be divided equally someone might take it.
but as it is now the democrats don't need an extra seat and wont let themselves be shamed by having someone this guy appoints in the senate.
likewise the republicans (this gov is a democrat so not likely) cant afford in their current state to suffer the negative publicity of such a dirty appointee serving with them.

likewise the republicans (this gov is a democrat so not likely) cant afford in their current state to suffer the negative publicity of such a dirty appointee serving with them.

oh, now there's some space for an awesome bit of political intrigue and dirty tricks...

Can u stop wiv lah polotiks?

no. next question.

Can u stop wiv lah polotiks?

This is a political game, and therefore a forum were people are interested in politics. Also, if you don't like the threads on politics, don't read them.

Can you stop with the annoying spelling?

ok, so here's a question. it seems like everyone is calling for a special election to fill obama's seat, so that's almost certainly what happens now. but a special election will take months, and it would be beneficial to have as much support as possible for the obama administration in the senate right away. so should the new governor appoint a placeholder to serve until somebody else is elected to fill the spot?

If the legislature can get it together to impeach him faster than they can pass the special elections bill, that would work best. The new gov (doesn't seem to have many enemies) can appoint the senator, who would serve until 2010 like normal. Or Blago could just GTFO and save everybody a lot of trouble, but it seems like he's going to say, "Oh yeah? How much you pay me to resign?"

A special electio bothers me. It gives another chance for a Republican to take the seat.

Will it happen? Probably not. But its a possibility. Unless Alan Keys runs again. Then there is no chance. Just epic lolz.

A special electio bothers me. It gives another chance for a Republican to take the seat.

That's exactly what makes it the right thing to do. When the world looks at your state under headlines like "Crook County" and "Pay-Rod", you should bend over backwards to do anything that makes you look fair and democratic. Letting the voters decide is the best option.

Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) called on the Illinois General Assembly to pass a law for a special election, and Durbin’s call was embraced by the state legislative leadership. “No appointment by this governor could produce a credible replacement,” Durbin told reporters Tuesday.
When even the Democratic Whip and Senior Senator makes the call correctly, whilst being fully aware of the potential risks, people should be lining up to support that choice.

That's exactly what makes it the right thing to do. When the world looks at your state under headlines like "Crook County" and "Pay-Rod", you should bend over backwards to do anything that makes you look fair and democratic. Letting the voters decide is the best option.


When even the Democratic Whip and Senior Senator makes the call correctly, whilst being fully aware of the potential risks, people should be lining up to support that choice.

I dont even know who'd run. Probably Oberweise for the Republicans, because hes been trying his damnedest to get into federal politics since I was in high school. But the democract? If I had to guess, one of the Madigans, unless they plan on going for the Governor's seat. Maybe Lisa as Gov and Sean as the Fed Senator?

But the democract? If I had to guess, one of the Madigans, unless they plan on going for the Governor's seat. Maybe Lisa as Gov and Sean as the Fed Senator?

jan schakowsky

A special electio bothers me. It gives another chance for a Republican to take the seat.

Will it happen? Probably not. But its a possibility. Unless Alan Keys runs again. Then there is no chance. Just epic lolz.

a special election is the only way to let people like jesse jackson jr get the job without a taint.

jesse had 2 press conferences today to say that he wasnt invovled in this at all. which could be true. but anyone who has had contact with the governor is tainted by the suspicion that they were willing to buy the seat. so they have no chance to be appointed by anyone wanting to look clean.

jesse had 2 press conferences today to say that he wasnt invovled in this at all. which could be true.
ABC News says someone in Fitzgerald's office confirmed Jesse Jr. was "Candidate #5" who undertook to raise $500,000 for Blago in exchange for the seat. What an anonymous source says might not be true, but I think it is looking very bad for JJ Jr.

There is some speculation Blago will make an appointment as a general gesture of f-you-all. His lawyer is probably telling him, don't even think about it; but it could be fun. How about: SENATOR TONY REZKO!

EDIT: now ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/Story?id=6431739&page=1) has confirmation from JJ Jr.'s lawyer (of course, JJ denies ever offering Blago any money)

ABC News says someone in Fitzgerald's office confirmed Jesse Jr. was "Candidate #5" who undertook to raise $500,000 for Blago in exchange for the seat. What an anonymous source says might not be true, but I think it is looking very bad for JJ Jr.

There is some speculation Blago will make an appointment as a general gesture of f-you-all. His lawyer is probably telling him, don't even think about it; but it could be fun. How about: SENATOR TONY REZKO!

EDIT: now ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/Story?id=6431739&page=1) has confirmation from JJ Jr.'s lawyer (of course, JJ denies ever offering Blago any money)
i dont know enough about jjjr to have an opinion on whether or not he would try to buy the seat. or if he has that kind of cash.

id guess that anyone who really wanted the job (like he does) would feel that they had to have some way to play ball with the governor so would have been either dont try at all or try to keep the price at some level that lets them sleep at night.

id guess that anyone who really wanted the job (like he does) would feel that they had to have some way to play ball with the governor so would have been either dont try at all or try to keep the price at some level that lets them sleep at night.
Oh, I can certainly sympathize. But he's sunk, no two ways about it.

Oh, I can certainly sympathize. But he's sunk, no two ways about it.
he certainly cant be appointed.

if they do a special election he could have at least the chance to make his case to the people....i dont know if its possible to convince anyone at this point.

Jackson defends himself (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/jackson-jr-i-am-not-a-tar_n_150023.html)

they might move for a special election. though i dont know if the democrats in Illinois will go for it.

An interesting idea, but I doubt the Democratic machine in the state would let it happen (the Governor's seat is a different story). With Jesse Jackson Jr. now directly linked to the Blagojevich scandal, he is likely out of the picture. Blagojevich will likely be replaced sooner rather than later, we'll have a better idea when his replacement is known,

An interesting idea, but I doubt the Democratic machine in the state would let it happen (the Governor's seat is a different story). With Jesse Jackson Jr. now directly linked to the Blagojevich scandal, he is likely out of the picture. Blagojevich will likely be replaced sooner rather than later, we'll have a better idea when his replacement is known,

the democratic machine started the call for a special election, and the next guy in line is pat quinn, the lt gov.

You know what I think, Blago might just be crazy, and diluted enough to appoint himself to the Senator position. There was talk about that already, and I do believe that some of what the FBI wiretap picked up, was talk of him doing just that, and running for president in 2016. Seriously, I think we should have known he was crazy when he put his name over every single toll plaza in the state.

On anther point, what do you think about him showing up to the office this morning, all waving to people and smiling? I think he was expecting a surprise birthday party, myself.

There is some speculation Blago will make an appointment as a general gesture of f-you-all. His lawyer is probably telling him, don't even think about it; but it could be fun. How about: SENATOR TONY REZKO!Doesn't he have to wait until the seat is actually free? As far as I've heard, that's not happening until Obama is sworn in...

You know what I think, Blago might just be crazy, and diluted enough to appoint himself to the Senator position. There was talk about that already, and I do believe that some of what the FBI wiretap picked up, was talk of him doing just that, and running for president in 2016. Seriously, I think we should have known he was crazy when he put his name over every single toll plaza in the state.

On anther point, what do you think about him showing up to the office this morning, all waving to people and smiling? I think he was expecting a surprise birthday party, myself.
he might be crazy enough but the senate wont seat him.

turns out that the senate can reject anyone who doesnt meet their standards.

STOP LAUGHING! they can at least pretend to have standards.

In Australia, where a senator retires for a reason, the party that the senator belongs to appoints his/her successor and not the state premier (which had been the case until a statew premier in Queensland appointed a person to the Senate that voted AGAINST the retiring senator's party, causing a Contitutional crisis.)

Perhaps the US needs to overhaul the constitution on this.
I'm not sure what would happen in the case of an Independent senator retiring or dying. Perhaps in that case, the senate position could simply remain unfilled until the next senate election).

In Australia, where a senator retires for a reason, the party that the senator belongs to appoints his/her successor and not the state premier (which had been the case until a statew premier in Queensland appointed a person to the Senate that voted AGAINST the retiring senator's party, causing a Contitutional crisis.)

Perhaps the US needs to overhaul the constitution on this.
I'm not sure what would happen in the case of an Independent senator retiring or dying. Perhaps in that case, the senate position could simply remain unfilled until the next senate election).
it certainly would help in these extremely divisive times.

in the original constitution senators were appointed by the states rather that popularly elected.

and the parties are not part of the constitution...

it would have to be a state by state change to mandate how these seats are filled when there is a sudden vacancy...

Doesn't he have to wait until the seat is actually free? As far as I've heard, that's not happening until Obama is sworn in...Then you haven't been paying much attention. Obama resigned from the Senate weeks ago, to concentrate on transition work.

An interesting idea, but I doubt the Democratic machine in the state would let it happen (the Governor's seat is a different story). With Jesse Jackson Jr. now directly linked to the Blagojevich scandal, he is likely out of the picture. Blagojevich will likely be replaced sooner rather than later, we'll have a better idea when his replacement is known,

I don't know if anyone wants to be appointed by the current Governor or the Lt Governor. The seat will likely sit empty or a special election will happen.
the Democrats actually seem to be pushing for a special election now. seems they realized the difference between 58 and 59 seats in the senate is not worth the drama caused by preventing the seat from being taken.

I don't know if anyone wants to be appointed by the current Governor or the Lt Governor. The seat will likely sit empty or a special election will happen.

they could have a placeholder appointed by the future gov. one of the former senators, for example.

they could have a placeholder appointed by the future gov. one of the former senators, for example.

yeah but to do so would be sort of like taking a position from Ford right after Nixon was impeached.. A death of a career. a speical election however you could say hey i was elected.

In Australia, where a senator retires for a reason, the party that the senator belongs to appoints his/her successor and not the state premier (which had been the case until a statew premier in Queensland appointed a person to the Senate that voted AGAINST the retiring senator's party, causing a Contitutional crisis.)

Perhaps the US needs to overhaul the constitution on this.
I'm not sure what would happen in the case of an Independent senator retiring or dying. Perhaps in that case, the senate position could simply remain unfilled until the next senate election).

then the state gets stuck with half the representation in the senate for up to 6 years ? not a very popular option for a state that elects independents.

yeah but to do so would be sort of like taking a position from Ford right after Nixon was impeached.. A death of a career. a speical election however you could say hey i was elected.

And where is a state, so deep in debt that they are cutting funding for child advocates, going to get money for a special election? Personally, I think the child advocates, are a little more important than holding a special election myself.

then the state gets stuck with half the representation in the senate for up to 6 years ? not a very popular option for a state that elects independents.

It'd be two years. But a special election would be likelier.

And where is a state, so deep in debt that they are cutting funding for child advocates, going to get money for a special election? Personally, I think the child advocates, are a little more important than holding a special election myself.

Children are important. but to give up democracy even in one small degree I would not.

It'd be two years. But a special election would be likelier.

senate elections are set. obama's term was up in 2. but otherwise they wouldnt adjsut the seante election otherwise you ruin the 1/3/ 1/3 1/3 elections. with senators clamoring toward midterm elections.

yeah but to do so would be sort of like taking a position from Ford right after Nixon was impeached.. A death of a career. a speical election however you could say hey i was elected.

which is why it would be some one like a former senator, serving as a placeholder until the results of the special election determine who really gets the seat. just an already respected body, not even attempting to make a comeback, just making sure we gets us some national health care.

which is why it would be some one like a former senator, serving as a placeholder until the results of the special election determine who really gets the seat. just an already respected body, not even attempting to make a comeback, just making sure we gets us some national health care.

does illionois have any respected former politicians ???

does illionois have any respected former politicians ???

That are still alive, I don't think so.