Quinn Open To Idea Of Senate Appointment Followed By Special Election
On Friday, I painted the decision over how to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as an either/or situation: either the legislature calls a special election or Pat Quinn becomes acting governor and makes the appointment himself. But since Friday night, Quinn has ...
On Friday, I painted the decision over how to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as an either/or situation: either the legislature calls a special election or Pat Quinn becomes acting governor and makes the appointment himself. But since Friday night, Quinn has begun floating a new scenario in which he would appoint an interim senator and a special election would follow in the spring. On NBC5's City Desk this morning, Quinn emphasized that Illinois needs a second senator, adding, "If something can be worked out where there's always a senator that replaces Barack Obama and ultimately there's a special election, I'm willing to consider that." Watch:
Appearing on NBC's Meet The Press with Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, Quinn was a bit more specific. He said he'd seen "a bill on Friday night that would provide for a temporary appointment to the U.S. Senate until we could have a special election." Madigan later asserted that a special election "is the best thing for the people of the state." Watch:
I haven't seen any reporting on the bill to which Quinn referred. I gave him a call yesterday seeking more specifics, but it hasn't been returned. We'll let you all know if we learn anything more about this proposal.
Meanwhile, Rep. Jan Schakowsky has continued to make the media rounds and she -- like Madigan -- is a vocal supporter of holding a special election. On CNN yesterday, she said, "[A]t this point, putting the decision in the hands of the people would give more credibility to the candidate." Watch:
Comments
Oh hell why not have a special election for governor at the same time while we're at it Pat? The people of Illinois elected a Democrat to that senate seat - and a pretty good one at that - by an overwhelming margin. Obama won it fair and square and a Dem should be appointed to it for the remainder of Obama's unfinished term. If you want to polish your good government cred nominate someone who states publicly and unequivocally he or she won't run in 2010. There's no reason to give undeserving Republicans a second shot at a third of that term and a leg up on 2010. Nor should we force taxpayers and political contributors to spend more money, especially in this economy, not to mention pushing already exhausted political activists of all stripes out into the cold for a winter election.
More importantly looking to the future this sets a bad precedent that affects both state parties. Risking a senate seat in a special election will discourage voters in both parties from nominating Illinois senators for president. If a special election law was in place a year ago it's an argument Obama's primary opponents could have used against him. Needless to say there's no such problem in NY and a lot of other states.
Blagojevich has turned into a huge liability for the party in the short run. That may go away soon if he does or the stench might stick to Dems like Ryan's has to Republicans. Only time will tell. As qualified as he is nobody elected Pat Quinn governor. There's no guarantee any Dem will win the governorship or any other office in 2010. Especially if there's a bruising fight for the nomination and a Blagojevich trial drags on for a year or more.
I'm not really serious about a special election if Blago's out and Quinn gets in. Illinois law is just as explicit about succession to that seat as it is to the US senate. I just hope these arguments find their way to Quinn and others suggesting a special election. It's not in the best interests of the state of Illinois and is overcompensation for sins Blago alone committed. Believe me Republicans will be all to happy to kick us in the teeth if they can for this unwarranted concession. Getting Blago out of the governor's office is enough. If Fitzgerald has a case against him then he should indict him and convict him if he can. In the meantime to clean up the mess end the pay to play politics that is at the crux of all these scandals that are crippling Illinois's reputation.
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