Comments on: A Special Election In Illinois?

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:04:11 +0000

Actually, given that Al Franken and his Franken-Friends (with ballots) have not secured the victory in Minnesota Franken had sought, why doesn't Franken try to get his Senate Democratic seat instead in Illinois (and if he fails, then in New York)? One state can be “represented” by a Dem as well as any other.

By: DLS

DLS — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:58:18 +0000

"Hey, Alan Keyes could run again."

You beat me to it, Mike Eyes.

* * *

"The cleanest looking idea would be a non-partisan special election with a large number of candidates."

How many Daleys, how many Durbins, in addition to Patti Blogojevich, would that require?

By: mikeyes

mikeyes — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:08:36 +0000

Hey, Alan Keyes could run again.

By: In New York They Call This Chutzpah - The Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

In New York They Call This Chutzpah - The Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:48:50 +0000

[...] Patrick Edaburn at the Moderate Voice considers various scenarios: Of course Governor Soprano could try to name someone to the seat in the next week or so, or he [...]

By: superdestroyer

superdestroyer — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:54:58 +0000

Since the Democratic primary is the real election in Illinois, it makes more sense to have not have nominating primaries in any special election. Also, given the massive corruption in the Democratic Party in Illinoins, having the eventual winner picked in a smoked filled back room also does not make any sense.

The cleanest looking idea would be a non-partisan special election with a large number of candidates.

By: elrod

elrod — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 07:51:12 +0000

My guess is they pass a special election law. The only question is what kind of special election law. Will there be a full, statewide primary, followed by a full general election? That would take until April to fill the seat. Will the party conventions just select a top candidate for each party and then have the two of them battle in a general election in early February?

Another possibility is if they impeach Blago and remove him by January 6, Lt. Gov. Quinn can appoint somebody to take office immediately until a full special election in few months is carried out.

I think the best option is to impeach Blago, remove him, and have Lt. Gov. Quinn pick some sort of squeaky clean elder statesman like Jesse White to serve the term until 2010 when a full-on primary and election can establish a successor.

By: Patrick E

Patrick E — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:43:09 +0000

Well they can change it by next week. In theory he could pick someone in the meantime but that someone would almost have to resign immediately to avoid the stench of Blago

By: AustinRoth

AustinRoth — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:21:14 +0000

Can they pass and change the law that quickly?

By: Patrick E

Patrick E — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:01:47 +0000

Possibly they wouldn't be as tainted, though arguably anyone on the former short list could be.

It will be interesting to watch though.

Poor Obama, he's innocent but this is still gonna be a mess for him to deal with.

By: elrod

elrod — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:50:41 +0000

What if Blago quits (or is impeached) and Lt. Gov Quinn appoints somebody. Presumably that person wouldn't be as tainted.

By: StockBoySF

StockBoySF — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:12:47 +0000

“Governor Soprano” (I love it) should resign and a special election called. This gives the Democrats under Obama a chance to show that they will be leaders in how corruption (etc) cases should be handled. Strictly and with no nonsense.