LOL - I don't blame Blago; it's his right and duty to fill the seat...

Innocent until proven guilty.

I like that he chose an African American with a decent reputation.

Your move Dems.

:D

Seriously.

I think an AA should be chosen, but the way he did it will ensure defeat for us in the next election.

msnbc talking heads weren't sure it's possible.

after he joins.

and then five minutes after the SCOTUS forces them to seat hinm, they will EXPEL him.

Even if he's sweet baby Jesus, if he were responsible, he'd recuse himself from the process because he knows the controversy his pick would cause. He's not stupid. He knows better. He's just doing this to be an asshole.

and anybody he picks is going to be viewed as tainted. It's irresponsible of him to pick somebody under those circumstances.

and everybody in Illinois knows it.

He's going down, now he's trying tpo take the Illinois Democratic PArty with him because they've shunned his criminal ass for almost two years.

it was not Obama's right to make the pick - or to even be able to influence it. Same in NY. Paterson can pick whomever he chooses. Of course, I think the pick should be used responsibly, but Obama forfeited his seat and that's that.

No idea about Biden.

...though I don't know if that really makes a difference.

Clinton's doesn't start until the Senate confirms her.

He had to hire the new White House staff and a cabinet.

...in order to have more say in their replacements ~ or just to be available for votes.

One of his former staffers if going to be appointed with the understanding that he will not run for the seat in two years. There is much speculation that this is being done so that Biden's son, who is currently serving in Iraq, can run for the seat in 2010.

I'm not sure what type of leverage Clinton will have over Paterson by staying in office for a few more weeks.

btw.

He is NOT Don Siegelman.

Blagojevich is dumber and MORE corrupt than Bush. Period.

It's simply a matter of law ~ he is still governor and hasn't been found guilty of anything.

People aren't found guilty overnight, especially in a case like this.

I guess I just take it more personally because I live in Illinois.

If I was unable to perform my job, I would take a different job.

Seriously, what is the motivation here? Blagojevich is making all Democrats look bad with these antics, and 3/4 of the board thinks it's hilarious?

Why? With the years of calling for impeachment of Bush, with the years of calling for the frogmarching of Rove, with years of calling for criminal charges for all the different members of the Bush crime family, why are we so lenient on our own? Why?

I always thought that we were above this sort of thing.

...the law is supposed to matter in the U.S.

Nice straw man.

Me saying that he will "inevitably" be convicted (which is what I'm assuming you're stuck on) is simply a statement on probability. Many multi-year investigations (let alone ones involve Patrick Fitzgerald) end with a conviction. Is that an unreasonable piece of logic?

Now, you will explain to me how that simple piece of projection equates to me believing he has no rights.

The straw man is in your head.

But go on, tell me something else that I think. I'm learning all sorts of things about myself from you.

You don't just continue doing your job if you're under investigation for something you did at your job. There is a good chance they put you on paid leave until they figure out what you've done, so that you don't hurt the company any more than you might already have. The governor should be no different. If you're a state or city employee and you're being investigated, you might not quit your job, but you take a leave of absence until things are cleared up. How many times have you read the news about a teacher or a police officer taking paid time off when they're under investigation? It's because of this exact same problem. IF you are guilty and you continue to work, you put the entire company/state/city at risk with your incompetence.

He very well may be innocent, but if he's guilty and he is allowed to continue running the state of Illinois, making decisions that could very well impact millions, then there is a problem.

Just like I doubt you'd want your daughter or son's teacher continuing to teach if they were accused of molesting a couple of children. Sure, they are innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn't mean they should continue teaching while under investigation. It's irresponsible.

...during an investigation, depends on whether or not there's a policy about it.

He could very well be cleared.

And I don't think giving in would help our cause. I don't care about his guilt at this time.

And befitting of a Republican.

He's not giving in because he doesn't want to lose his power. It's all about him and not the people of Illinois.

There is a reason his approval rating is in the tank there. He's a corrupt fool who only cares about himself.

He should definitely join the Republican Party, he'd fit right in!

In my mind, it is not about power. I want him to exercise his rights as governor. I also don't trust the Repuke Justice Dept.

Because they don't have one right now, and it is possible that they'll have only one Senator in January.

Think about the people of Illinois for a second.

Blago's got to do what Blogo's got to do.

I do not think it is all about power. He picked someone who would be the best choice IMO.

I think if you're hurting your state, regardless of your innocence, you should step aside. Maybe not resign, but step aside until the investigation is fully over.

If he were any type of man, he would. But he isn't. He's a selfish asshole who would rather embarrass his state, its people and the government than do what is right. Like I said, he'd make a perfect Republican!

So perhaps we must leave this conversation here. We have a fundamentally different view on this case. I respect your opinion, but couldn't disagree more.

Leaving his potential guilt aside, the very real consequence is that Illinois does not have a governor.

You're willing to sacrifice the day-to-day business of a state for this stance?

He doesn't have to step down. He doesn't have to do anything official. Just let Pat Quinn handle things until things calm down. Why doesn't MY state deserve that?

Would you mind trading governors with us? I'll take a Republican over Blagojevich in a second.

I'm not worried about that. And no, I would never wish for a Repuke instead.

Anyway, if he wants to defer duties, I won't object to that.

It's obvious the people of Illinois disagree with you.

I think Blago is within his rights - period. If he resigns or delegates responsibility, I also won't complain about that.

If I were charged with corruption at my business, they would either fire me or put me on paid leave while they investigated.

But the governor? He can do whatever he likes!

It's bullshit.

He should step aside while being investigated and any person with the slight bit of competence would do that.

But as we've seen, he has no desire to show any competence in this arena. He'd rather hurt his state and its people than step aside, allow the investigation to clear his name and get back to business.

IF he is guilty of corruption and he is allowed to continue running the state until he is found guilty, then there is a problem.

This is why I hate politicians. They feel they're above everyone else. Most of us would not get the benefit of the doubt. If we're under investigation for something we did at work, we'd be fired or put on leave until the investigation cleared our name. Why should he be any different? Because he's the governor? Bullshit.

If he's innocent then he should have no problem stepping aside and allowing the investigation to clear his name. That doesn't mean he resigns, but maybe gives the day-to-day duties to the Lt. Governor and then when he's cleared, he can go back to work. That would be the responsible thing to do and something that happens every day when a worker is being investigated. But he won't because his ego is too big and it continues to be stroked by people here who see no problem with him making a mockery of the state of Illinois.

I thought I was in bizarro world there for a minute.

And why Lisa Madigan tried to have him declared unfit.

They're trying to "put him on leave". When you're the top executive in the state, it makes it difficult. The desire is there, trust me.

I live in Illinois and have heard of improprieties coming from the Governor for years.

Excuse my assumption that a years-long investigation may yield some sort of conviction.

You may have heard of improprieties but "hearing" isn't proof. My point is that anyone who had so completely made up their minds without looking at ALL the evidence isn't fit to be on a jury. You surely aren't presuming any innocence in this case. I have no idea what Balgosevich may be guilty of and I , too , have read and "heard" a lot. Means nada at the moment. It is merely and opinion and if one has an opinion on an outcome one isn't objective enough to serve on a jury.

There is a high probability that Blagojevich will be convicted of a crime. Disagree? Fine. That's all I'm looking for.

(anxiously awaiting another reply lecturing me about the presumption of innocence, even though it has nothing to do with what I'm talking about)

Just curious.

He's Bush! LOL. A gov. can't get as abusive of power and Constitution-trampling as Bush.

Seriously. Although I think they share mental illnesses, Blagojevich really does take the cake. He doesn't even try to hide it.

Sorry. Pound for pound, not close either. I'm firm on this. Bush is the king of corruption.

But Bush is right behind.

But things are the way they are.

Just wish this was over with.

Guaranteed.

We're not at his trial. We're not making the decision whether to put him in prison or not. Thus, we have every right to treat him with reasonable suspicion of guilt.

And we have every right to question his ability to govern and demand that he resign or get thrown out, and refuse to seat anyone he appoints.

What's the rule?

CBS News

Edit: fixed link

unless he is "removed" or found guilty of anything "we" do not have the right to reject his Senate appointment. "We" have the right to question and to speculate but he should be "presumed innocent until proven guilty" by anyone who has the ability to effect decisions and that includes the Senate.

What if Blagosevich is found innocent and Burris is tossed? What happens then? Who offers reparation to Burris under that scenario?

...the governor (which he cited).

the Senate might go the route of seating him, then immediately expelling him.

IIRC, the Constitution gives the Senate the power to expel one of its members by a 2/3 vote. It hasn't happened since the Civil War, but they can choose to do so if they want.

That would save the Senate the trouble of dealing with this mess.

And it would give the IL legislature extra motivation to throw Blago out that much faster so they can get someone who can appoint a Senator without causing a shitstorm.

Under the laws that's his right.

No matter who he picks it will be criticized.

Fewer senators will want to mess with it.

He seems fearless in his pressers!

His lawyer is fun to watch, too.

LOL

to bring criminal charges. After all, they were after him for many years, and burst open to prevent him from allegedly selling the office.

This is how politicians conduct their business. It would be perfectly normal for the Obama's team to be involved in deciding his replacement, and the ability to raise money is an important asset - look how it is with Caroline Kennedy.

They should have a special election.

It'll be interesting to see if they actually have a case ~ if you take away the f-words, there's not much there.

He's an excellent pick, and Blago has the right to stay on and appoint. He has not been convicted of anything. Again, Blago might be a jerk and corrupt. But to resign would be admitting guilt, and I kind of like him going against the railroading. Wish Senator Reid was this firm on other stuff.

I'm African American and would like to see a person of color to replace Barack, but this has a bad stinks. I do not trust the gov at all. Burris should be ashame to place his self in the situation.

He knew they'd try to undo his choice, so he went with a popular African American. I'm no fan of Blago, but I do have to admire the move, it was nicely played.