Democrats Urge Special Election in Illinois
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
December 9, 2008 3:58pm CST
This is "Breaking News" on MSNBC - the Illinois Senate President has called for a special session to OK special election to fill the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by President Elect Obama.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28142769/
Senator Richard Durbin said it wouldn't be credible for Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested this morning on corruption charges, to appoint the new Senator and shortly thereafter Illinois Senate President Emil Jones said he would call a special session of the Illinois Senate. The second term Governor was arrested Tuesday in connection with allegations that he sought favors to influence his choice for Obama's replacement.
Any thoughts? Do you agree with the policy of governors getting the chance to appointment replacements to the U.S. Senate in general?
Annie
5 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
9 Dec 08
No, I don't agree with the policy of governors appointing replacements for vacant senate seats and this is a prime example of why. I'm glad they've called for a special session and hope there's an election so that Chicago can get out from under this cloud they've been under...at least a little bit.
1 person likes this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
9 Dec 08
People have forgotten what the purpose of the US Senate was. The House was to represent the interest of the people and the Senate was to represent the interest of the States. They were elected by the State Legislatures and when the vote was given to the people the governors were given the power to fill the remaining term of a senator.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
9 Dec 08
I agree, I think a special election is the way to go, especially in this case and it won't cost a lot of extra money since they already have to have a special election for Emmanuel's House seat.
Bob, what's really the difference between the state's interests and the people's interests?
Annie
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
9 Dec 08
Illinois should just throw out all politicians and import new ones from other States. I believe they have 5 Governors who have been sent to prison (3 D and 2 R.) At least he will have other Democrat Governors who have been forced out due to corruption.
1 person likes this
@iriscot (1289)
• United States
10 Dec 08
Maybe Rod will get a cell next to George Ryan (Republican) and they can try to figure out how they got there together. I don't think either on of them were very smart. People sometimes do dumb things, but when you have the power you must feel like you can get by with anything.
We have a mayor in our city that feels she can get by with anything, but I heard the other day that she might resign (because of health reasons... LOL), she's been spending the city into the ground for the last 7 years.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
10 Dec 08
Just another thought that hit me...
You do realize that a special election would be open to both Democrats and Republicans, right?
Imagine the blood bath of a Senate Race that would be!
1 person likes this
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
10 Dec 08
I personally don't think that Governors should appoint - I think they should hold a special election whenever the need arises.
1 person likes this
