My Governor is a total Rod...

**ICantSpellDawg** · 12-10-2008, 01:09

Originally Posted by CountArach

Yeah a Special Election is the best bet... I honestly don't know why it isn't like that anyway. An interesting theory for how Blagojevich could get out of it from here:
"Probably the only thing he could do now to make sure the new senator gets a clean start is to ask Obama himself to make a suggestion and then follow it, but that is unlikely, especially since Blagojevich has not admitted to any wrongdoing."

I don't believe that Obama will come out of this as clean as you expect. Blagojevich was his very good buddy. I hope that there is a fast honeymoon.

Let the decay of the Democratic party begin.

Special elections are a fine ideas. Runoffs should be more common.

**CountArach** · 12-10-2008, 01:20

Originally Posted by TuffStuffMcGruff

I don't believe that Obama will come out of this as clean as you expect. Blagojevich was his very good buddy. I hope that there is a fast honeymoon.

I'm willing to bet that there is a very long honeymoon. 79% approve of the way he is handling the transition - that is going to take a long time to fade. At even the faintest hint of economic recovery his approval ratings will soar.

**drone** · 12-10-2008, 02:06

Instead of putting such power and temptation in the hands of one man, why not do it the old fashioned way and have the state legislature select the new senator?

**Ice** · 12-10-2008, 02:16

Originally Posted by drone

Instead of putting such power and temptation in the hands of one man, why not do it the old fashioned way and have the state legislature select the new senator?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article...e_4:_Vacancies

As originally established, Senators were elected by the Legislature of the State they represented in the Senate. If a senator died, resigned, or was expelled, the legislature of the state would appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of the senator's term. If the State Legislature was not in session, its Governor could appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the legislature could elect a permanent replacement. This was superseded by the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the Popular Election of Senators, instead of their appointment by the State Legislature. In a nod to the less populist nature of the Senate, the Amendment tracks the vacancy procedures for the House of Representatives in requiring that the Governor call a special election to fill the vacancy, but (unlike in the House) it vests in the State Legislature the authority to allow the Governor to appoint a temporary replacement until the special election is held. Note, however, that under the original Constitution, the Governors of the states were expressly allowed by the Constitution to make temporary appointments. The current system, under the Seventeenth Amendment, allows Governors to appoint a replacement only if their state legislature has previously decided to allow the Governor to do so; otherwise, the seat must remain vacant until the special election is held to fill the seat, as in the case of a vacancy in the House.

Well, the state legislature has to approve the governor's request for an appointment, so in a sense there is a check.

Besides, legislatures would tend to squabble over an issue like this. With their consent, it's best left up to an individual. Let the people pick a permanent replacement.

**Lemur** · 12-10-2008, 16:50

Actually, from what little I've read, Obama's people are hilariously unwilling to play ball with Blageoimadinnerjacket (D).

[Blagojevich] also appears to think little of the president-elect, whom he calls a "

" at one point.
“

him,” Blagjoveich says of Obama during a lengthy call with top aides and his wife recorded on November 10th, “For nothing?

him.”
In another section of the complaint, Blagojevich expresses exasperation that Obama and his team aren't willing to offer him an inducement in exchange for appointing an aide, apparently Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate.

Blagojevich "said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but 'they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation.

them,'" says the complaint.

**ICantSpellDawg** · 12-10-2008, 17:14

Originally Posted by Lemur

Actually, from what little I've read, Obama's people are hilariously unwilling to play ball with Blageoimadinnerjacket (D).

[Blagojevich] also appears to think little of the president-elect, whom he calls a "

" at one point.
“

him,” Blagjoveich says of Obama during a lengthy call with top aides and his wife recorded on November 10th, “For nothing?

him.”
In another section of the complaint, Blagojevich expresses exasperation that Obama and his team aren't willing to offer him an inducement in exchange for appointing an aide, apparently Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate.

Blagojevich "said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but 'they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation.

them,'" says the complaint.

Yea. I heard about the "N" bomb and "MF" bomb last night. That will cushion the blow quite a bit for Obama.

My point is that maybe Obama's words are just that - words. The praise that he has heaped on a man who is obviously some sort of deranged ego maniac is totally undeserved. Over time people might just think Obama speaks gold irrespective of the issue or reality. It kind of slays the credibility of his words.

This is not the only issue. He has already contradicted reality more than any candidate that I can remember in such a short period of time. I really love it when he is asked about Clinton having Zero foreign policy experience and then nominating her for Secretary of State. Then, when he is called on the flip at the announcement he says that the reporter is having fun with him and that it isn't fair to hold him to account for things said during the campaign (not in as many words).

**drone** · 12-10-2008, 17:31

Originally Posted by Kush

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article...e_4:_Vacancies

Well, the state legislature has to approve the governor's request for an appointment, so in a sense there is a check.

Besides, legislatures would tend to squabble over an issue like this. With their consent, it's best left up to an individual. Let the people pick a permanent replacement.

Your link is to the replacement of the House seats.

Of course, I would prefer the 17th repealed, so my view is already skewed on this matter. As originally laid out, the House of Representatives is for the people, the Senate is for the states. If states want to squabble of filling the seats, they pay the price of not being represented. Giving the replacement power to an individual means less money needs to be spent on the bribe.

**Devastatin Dave** · 12-10-2008, 19:25

Candidate 5 appears to be Jesse Jackson Jr according to ABC. Candidate 5 said he would raise a million bucks for Blago's campaign in exchange for Obama's senate seat...

Obama was one of Blago's main advisors for his governor's campaign in 02 and Obama endorsed Blago in 05 for his second term. maybe if folks would take a crowbar and pry their mandables off Obama's groin for 5 minutes, maybe they can start connecting the dots a little better... Present company excluded of course...