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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:47pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008
4 comments

Is Jesse White's Stand Just Symbolic? (UPDATED)

Roland Burris

There's been a lot of talk today about Secretary of State Jesse White's announcement that he will refuse to certify Roland Burris' appointment to the U.S. Senate. For instance, during an MSNBC appearance this afternoon, Burris was asked about the matter.  He responded: "...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
5:44pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Obama Sides With Senate Democrats In Opposition To Burris Appointment

Rod Blagojevich

The following statement was just released by President-Elect Barack Obama:

Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate
Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an
appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
5:17pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Giannoulias, Schakowsky Respond To Burris Pick

Jan Schakowsky

In a statement this afternoon, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias lambasted Gov. Blagojevich's selection of Roland Burris to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate:

The question here is not whether Roland Burris
would make a good Senator. The question is whether ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
3:10pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Blagojevich: "Don't Let The Allegations Against Me Taint This Good And Honest Man"

Rod Blagojevich

Here's the full video of the press conference in which Gov. Blagojevich announced the Burris appointment:

Transcript below.

Blagojevich's opening statement:

The people of Illinois are entitled to have two United States senators represent them in ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:18pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008
66 comments

Just Two Weeks Ago, Burris Called Blago Allegations "Appalling" And "Reprehensible" (UPDATED)

Roland Burris

Wow.  Just out from the Tribune: Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:33am
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Conservative Strategy In Obama's Washington

Congress

In a year when the Republican
presidential candidate went down in flames and Democrats extended their
majorities in both the House and Senate, “Drill Baby Drill” was about
the only victory conservatives lawmakers garnered in Washington. It
seems like ages ago when a ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:35pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008

IL-5: We're Off To The Races

IL-5

The Tribune is reporting that Rep. Rahm Emanuel will resign from his seat this Friday, January 2.  Under state law, the governor must schedule a special election for the seat to be held within 115 days of that date.

Read Emanuel's letter to Rod Blagojevich below (hit the ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:05pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008

Blagojevich Impeachment Agenda: Day 5

Rod Blagojevich

The fifth day of the Illinois House's impeachment hearing is underway, with Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson holding forth before the committee.  Moments ago, he used the Obama transition team's report of contacts with the governor's office to argue that, because the Obama camp ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:02pm
Mon Dec 29, 2008
7 comments

Appoint, Then Confirm: An Alternative Senate Selection Process

State Legislature

The public does not like appointments to elected offices.  Whether it’s a group of committeemen, the mayor of a city, or the governor -- the appointment process never seems or feels completely fair.  For starters, the preliminary interviews and vetting typically occur behind ...