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Just when you thought we might get a break from the feuding downstate, the drama gets weirder. A bill passed the Illinois House yesterday, 80-25, that would give voters the right to recall elected officials including the governor, a la California. (.pdf of the bill here.) The recall election would work much like California's recall provision, asking voters if the office holder should be recalled while voting on a successor at the same time.
Woodstock Democrat Jack Franks, a Blagojevich critic and sponsor of the bill, said that the proposal was motivated by the "dismal performance" of this governor. "Our state is dysfunctional.... We are stuck at an absolute impasse because the governor refuses to lead and refuses, frankly, to show up for work. He won't govern, and he can't govern." Jay Hoffman, a Collinsville Democrat and Blagojevich support lashed out at the proposal, calling the amendment unnecessary. "End the cycle of finger-pointing," Hoffman said. "Stop the bullshit!"
A recall amendment isn't a done deal just yet. Although Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch said that the governor "supports the idea of giving voters that kind of choice," Senate President Emil Jones, a staunch Blagojevich ally, hasn't taken a public position on the matter. Both chambers must act by May 4 if the amendment proposal is to appear on the ballot this November, and it doesn't need the governor's signature to become law.
Blagojevich at the St. Patrick's Day parade by Julius Lim
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Well Pat Quinn had a bill last year on the same subject, to recall elected officials in Illinois. Funny how things happen. Actually I think it might be the same bill!?
So did you miss R. Eugene Pincham's passing Kevin? Nothing from Chicagoist on this?
If you know Pincham died why do you need Chicagoist to tell you again? Internet people are so fucking irritating, all they do is give backhand, passive-aggressive compliments or just outright complain.
Cali's recall was a shitshow that led to a popular governor with wide bi-partisan support.
I am in favor.
Hope we can make this happen. . anything to get him out asap.
Be careful what you wish for.
I make a guess that should Blago go down--whether by indictment or recall--he will go down fighting in a spectacularly messy way, as is his style, further fucking up policies and finances.
I really think he is mentally ill, and not just because I think he is a beyond-crappy governor. I can disagree with leaders--Daley, for instance--but not think they are crazy. Blago is different.
Matilda - I completely agree with you there. In fact, I had this discussion with someone not that long ago. It's a different kind of terrible leader. With the Stroger clan, I can at least see the motivations and thought processes by which they have their sleazy way with our fair county. With Blago, it's like he's operating on a different plane. I'm starting to feel puzzled at his actions rather than just advancing straight to blind rage.
UTV: I look forward to the biographies of Blago in 5-7 years.
But never count out blind rage :)
Seriously, if I am correct, that he does suffer from illness, I hope he manages to get help. If I am wrong, that would make me even angrier--he even less reason for his destructive, selfish actions (no, this does not let Madigan, Jones, et al off the hook).
It is great to see a bipartisan effort to get a new governor. I will be happy even if the replacement is also a Democrat. Just get this guy out.
blago has a statue of elvis in his office, of course he's nuts. also, what the hells a shitshow?
Shit Show [noun]:
A description of an event or situation which is characterized by an ridiculously inordinate amount of frenetic activity. Disorganization and chaos to an absurd degree. Often associated with extreme ineptitude/incompetence and or sudden and unexpected failure.
This is usually how my friends refer to my nights out in Wrigleyville. "Spav, last night was a shit show".
I think that mental illness in leaders is a fair question, but it definitely leads to "crazy" actions being seen as symptoms of a mental illness. For example: I think Saddam Hussein was totally sane. Crafty, manipulative and rational.
Kim Jong Il? Literally Insane.
But how do you distinguish "drunk with power" and "clinically ill"?
I don't know, I mean are "we" even qualified to pick a governor????????
Help, I'm entering into an electoral
Extentialist crisis, as opposed to a political one!
And at least my name aint thoms! Show me some love for Christ sakes, my favorite Greek Resturant is shuttered and has been making people sick!
and its not an Evlis statue, its na Elvis with electronic swinging legs Gorilla, get your story straight. They swing side to side and side to side
@ matilda.
isn't a megalomaniac by definition unable to see his own weaknesses?
Celery: Sounds reasonable.
Spav: I think you are right about Saddam, Kim. Saddam was a vile person but also a rational person for the most part. So was Stalin, despite his paranoia about Jewish doctors. Hitler, on the other hand, was insane from the beginning. But in the end, they all deserved to burn.
I don't think meglalomaniac and "clinically insane" are the same.
What would we define you'r two's conversation from yesterday as?? Insane or megalomaniacical?
Stop now before we have a repeat
Um, we are agreeing today Mepps.
I was drawing a distinction from Celery's comment. ARE YOU NEW HERE?
a lot of us were badly behaved yesterday. whatever...it happens.
UTV spaketh: "Matilda - I completely agree with you there. In fact, I had this discussion with someone not that long ago. It's a different kind of terrible leader. With the Stroger clan, I can at least see the motivations and thought processes by which they have their sleazy way with our fair county. With Blago, it's like he's operating on a different plane. I'm starting to feel puzzled at his actions rather than just advancing straight to blind rage."
Blagojevich's inscrutable motives reminds me of the scene in The Wire this season where McNulty finally reveals the truth about his concocted serial killer and says to Templeton:
(we're)..."trapped in the same lie. Only difference is, I know why I did it. Fuck if I can figure out what it gets you in the end. But hey, I ain't part of your tribe."
I mean, Blagojevich doesn't come off like the type of politician who is trying to dominate the state political sphere for same reasons Daley or John Stroger amassed their influence.
Oh don't be a sloth, "D.J Quick- Sloth"! Blago shakes down any thing( for campaign funds) that aint moving or any thing moving including a L.A movie producer and he's not trying to dominate by stealing any thing that's not bolted down?
Heck at least Stroger isn't looking at Jail time, and if he is then tell me how? Show me fact of a criminal act? Hey that rhymed!
Oh and actually I like sloths especially the green tree sloth, they are so cool!
@Celerysalt:
I don't think we were. It honestly wasn't that different from most days... I just think the blog itself is sending a clear message to the commenters: "Fuck off and die. We'll do whatever we want, and we'll enforce our standards for both posts and comments arbitrarily and sloppily."
Oh, and to stay "on topic" as to not get the messages closed: Blago can die in an alley.
Working with Blago strikes me as being like working for Michael in the office. . anyone else get that?
PS: Sorry, The Office the television show