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."
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Are american laws really screwed up!! Quick, impeach him immediately, he's way too egotistical to resign.
He'll go down as one of those other public/political figures that believed they did nothing wrong.
why dont illinoise just ask their appointed messiah whom to pick,,, god knows he cant do no wrong,, or make bad decisions,,, just ask the oracle,, obama,, he is the chosen one
Dick Durbin is my hero and an phenomenal Senator. As for Rod, hope you end up bunk buddies with George (Ryan).
All of you who are making negative comments towards our Commander-in-Chief-elect need to grow up and realize that our country will not become a better place until you check your bipartisan attitude.
Time to move on. Bush is gone. Bring on Obama and let's fix this country.
GOOD IDEA. A TRUE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY IS SOLELY BASED ON THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE. WHEN THAT WILL IS PLACED IN ONE PERSON'S HAND WE GET WHAT HAPPEN IN ILL.
Let the Lt. Gov. appoint an interim replacement. The seat is up for election in 2010 anyway. A special election will cost the state of Illinois MILLIONS of dollars that was not budgeted.
To DUH PEOPLE,
There will always be corruption where there is power. That applies in politics, in religion, in business, even in communities. The job of a good government is to keep that corruption to an acceptable minimum. When it is the government that becomes corrupt, it is the job of the people to use the constitutionally set remedies in play.
In this country, in our political sphere, it is also the job of the PEOPLE to study the candidates, research where they stand on all issues, and to vote. When their trust is betrayed, it is their DUTY to speak out, to work to remove the betrayer from office, and to try and make sure that the same problem doesn't happen again by making the punishments suitable for the crime. And the judge that let this jerk walk with a bail lower than would be set for a hooker should be removed from the bench.
Crybaby neocon sour-grapes boo-hooing conspiracy theory in 5, 4, 3, 2....
Such a special election could be a boost to Republican hopes of picking u seats (find out why and all the details of possible candidates here, on Campaign Diaries.
Goddess-----–IT ISNT BUSH'S FAULT EITHER. YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK AT DODD AND FRANK AND THEIR LACK OF OVERSIGHT REGARDING THE BANKING ISSUES.
The arrest of Rod Blagojevich and John Harris, his chief of staff, cast a light on the home state of the President-elect, which has a history of endemic corruption. Times of London.
\Even the Brits know the reputation of the political birth place of The One.
@ LIP
Actually, that's not what Obama's said about it. READ AND INFORM YOURSELF. He did contact Obama's transition team and they did tell him to go pound sand. Then the candidate for the seat that Obama preferred backed out so there'd not even be the slightest inkling of impropriety. He's too smart for you people and you hate it.
I'd say this was a good idea, since the current Governor is crooked.
@ DUH PEOPLE!
Please explain, in great detail, how one goes about "buying" the position of POTUS. Really, I'd like to hear it as I've been saving and scrimping for several years now and I gfigure I can at least buy myself into being mayor somewhere...that costs like what a dollar fifty?
TO ALL YOU NEGATIVE NEOCON BLOGGERS.
Take a good look at the last eight years of your administration
and the mess it left the world in. Including Canada. before you
criticize anyone.
I knew it would be all of ten seconds before someone blamed Obama. Cheap shot and it won't work.
I know Sean Hannity is foaming at the mouth to pin this on Barack. Since the truth is not important to Sean, he'll do it.
It won't work.
I can't believe CNN won't post my comments:
It's very clear: Chicago-Obama-Sezko-Rod Blagojevich-Corruption-Lies-Lies-Lies....you're right, The Audacity of Hoax
Great I am all with Durbin.
And while we are at it, lets have a special election to replace Obama in a couple years after he can't deliver on all his promises. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Take it to Washington Obama, so we can end your career soon enough, oh arrogant President-reject.
No Leadership, No Experience, No Hope, NObama!
Sorry but the actions of the politicians in this state have shown us that they are as dirty as they come.
The Governor was not concerned about being caught because he was surrounded by dirty politicians and businessmen.
Now I am left to wonder if Obama did indeed BUY this election.
New book release: The Obama Delusion: How the MSM and Politically Opportunistic Democratic Party Manipulated their Way Back to Power
New Book idea:
OBAMA: The Audacity of this Dope
I suspect the Attorney General wants to implicate Obama on the issue. Otherwise why would he arrest this guy a day after Supreme Court refused to hear the case on Obama's legitimacy to lead this country? The Attorney General tried prior to the election to implicate Obama and was unsuccessful. Agaian he thought he could succeed in the challenge of Obama's birth certifcate after desprately trying during the Rezko trial to implicate Obama and he couldn't. There are people who are not happy that Obama is the President of this great country.
EVERY FAR-RIGHT-HATER IS BLOGGING BLAMING OBAMA FOR THE ILLINOIS GOVERNORS CRIME! THIS ....IS......WHY......THE.........GOP.....LOST ......THE......ELECTION......IDIOTS SUPPORT THEM!
another Illinois scavenger
Squak! Squak! Squak!
That's the smart thing to do; wouldn't have it any other way. Better hold an election SOON!
By the way....I know of a CORRUPT Gov up in Alaska. Somebody maybe want to start bugging her office, phone and home?? *wink*wink*
AK is FULL of corrupt politicians!! After McLipstick, bug everyone else. *wink*wink*
One thing that {sensible} posters need to realize is that there will be always be people that will believe the worst about P.E. Obama despite evidence to the contrary, because that is what they do.The funny thing to me about these types of people is that often love to spew responsibility and such unless P.E. Obama is mentioned,then they love to hold him responsible for everyone elses actions.