Durbin wants special election to replace Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/09/art.durbin.gi.jpg caption="Durbin is calling for a new election to replace Obama."](CNN) - Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said Tuesday he wants a special election called to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
At a press conference with reporters on Capitol Hill, Durbin said he wants the Illinois legislature to act quickly to pass a law setting a special election in light of news Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been charged with seeking financial gain over the appointment.
Currently Blagojevich has the sole authority to select Obama's successor, and is still able to do so unless he resigns or is impeached from office.
"No appointment by this governor under these circumstances could produce a credible replacement," Durbin said.
In the press conference with reporters, Durbin also defended his state, saying the vast majority of politicians in Illinois are honest.
"I believe that the overwhelming majority of politicians in Illinois and outside are honest, hard-working people in both political parties," he said. "There will always be exceptions in both political parties who – when given the opportunity to use power – misuse it."
From CNN Politics
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
Sounds good. Anyone appointed by Blagojevich will immediately be tainted (fair or not). Let the voters decide. Hoping Tammy Duckworth gets the seat!
The Governor is now out of the picture.........young people should not be able to serve in high offices......higher officials should start at age 55 and go up.......thye should have some range of intelligence and knowledge before they serve the people..........
Yes, Sen Durbin, I agree
What is wrong with the Lt. Governor? PE Obama's replacement should be in Washington right now. I would not subject the people of Illinois to this and besides who has the money.
I agree with Sen. Durbin. I have always believed in the notion that public figures should always be "elected", and not "selected".
Hence, the people of Illinois should have their say as to who will replace Obama in the U.S. Senate.
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.
LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE INSTEAD
OF A COLLECTION OF THUGS.
A special election would dispell any doubts about electability while an appointment by the chief executive would. Let the people of Illinois decide immediately on their senate representative.
I agree! Blagojevich has lost all credibility in selecting Obama's successor.
ABUSE OF POWER SAME AS GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN OF ALASKA, BUT SHE KEPT IT IN THE FAMILY. PALIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED ALSO.
How about they just sell lottery tickets and the winner gets the seat. It can't be any worse than what we have.
MUST HAVE BEEN THE ONE WHO PAID OF THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS~!!!!!!
Power is a very scary thing!
The FBI affidavit said Blagojevich had been told by an adviser "the president-elect can get Rod Blagojevich's wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming the president-elect's pick to the Senate."
Enough said.
VERY GOOD AND SMART MOVE... THANK YOU SENATOR...
The people should have the power, it should not be with greedy politicians. A special election is the best idea to restore faith and confidence in our elected officials.
Really good idea Dick Durbin!!! Wish we could have a new election in AZ to replace Janet Napolatano. She's sooo good and her replacement will take us back 20 years.
Special election is a good idea. Blagojevich should not be allowed to nominate the replacement for PE Obama.
2 problems. In Canada, they annouce there is going to be an election and then 6 weeks later, it's election day. Here are the 2 differences, Canadians have public financing so the politics always have some money giving right away while in this case, there's no time to fundraise and that would unfairly favor an independent wealthy candidate.
The second that elections are federalized in Canada and exist year round ready and waiting while in the United States, it's at the state and county level and therefore Illinois county are completely unprepared for this special election and it won't run well and you're going a lot of fraud allegations afterwards.
Also note, Illinois needs a senator at some point...
I think Blago should be impeached!
This would be the "right" thing to do
Blagojevich should appoint himself – he would fit in perfectly with the rest of the congress.
Would have been nice if Durbin had also called for the voters in MI and FL to be heard in the democratic presidential primary.
If those voices were heard and those votes counted, there would be NO vacant senate seat in IL.
Thank God, Barack has left Chicago, however, Fitzgerald should have been more diligent when he was investigating Bush and his administration regarding the CIA leak. Oh, I forgot he is Republican. How convenient.
"Currently Blagojevich has the sole authority to select Obama's successor, and is still able to do so unless he resigns or is impeached from office."
"No appointment by this governor under these circumstances could produce a credible replacement," Durbin said.
Come on people, get it together up there! This is ridiculous! Do the American People really have to tell you high paying/ranking fools what to do in this case!
And I think that this would be a good law for New York as well......
The winner would be the voter's choice, as opposed to the candidate with the most famous family connenctions.