Monday Morning Musings

On Meet the Press yesterday, Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D-IL) said that there are indications that Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) may step aside as early as today.

“I don’t know if that means he will resign or take another option that’s provided under the Illinois constitution where he can voluntarily recognize that there is a serious impediment in his ability to carry out his duties and therefore temporarily remove himself,” she said.

If Blagojevich opts to temporarily remove himself, he can potentially keep his salary, Madigan said. (source)

Even if he does either resign, or temporarily remove himself, a special election still needs to be held. A Rasmussen poll reveals

Sixty-six percent (66%) of all Illinois voters say the state should hold a special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat rather than let Governor Rod Blagojevich or his successor appoint a replacement. (source)

There is a level of distrust in the administration that would go against any appointment for the office of Junior Senator from Illinois. Some of the arguments against a special election are that it will cost too much. We can just wait until the next scheduled elections in April and put that office on the ballot as well. For those that think that’s too long to go without a junior senator, I will answer that with the fact that we have pretty much been without a junior senator for the last two years and that four more months won’t really matter so much.

Related: Blagojevich Arrested
A Special Election?

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