Asian Carp: 'Nice Try, Suckers'
Mariotti's Photo Scuffle?
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Reappointment For Daley's Nephew
Oh, snap! House Speaker Mike Madigan is circulating a 14-page memo titled "Talking Points on Beginning Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Blagojevich." Madigan says the memo isn't calling for Blago's immediate impeachment--it's asking the House to determine if there's grounds for impeachment. Tomayto, tomahto?
The memo says there are "three bases" the House needs to investigate:
- Blago's ongoing ties to criminals. "Criminal activity in the Blagoievich administration is no longer theoretical - it is proven." That part is underlined in the memo.
- Blago's "violation of his oath of office," trying to operate "outside of the Illinois Constitution and state law."
- Blago's not doing anything. "Aside from an occasional meeting or event appearance, he is not faithfully executing the duties of his office."
Rawr! More milk, table two!
More memo-y goodness after the jump.
Our favorite memo point:
The call for the House to begin impeachment proceedings rests more on just the possibility of Rod Blagojevich's involvement in criminal activities. Apart from the obvious distraction the federal criminal investigations have presented him, a review and examination of his ability and interest to be the governor of the state is in order. The level of dysfunction and disagreement has reached a fever pitch under his watch. He shows remarkably little ability to govern. He cannot compromise and unless people do exactly as he wishes, he is at a loss. A governor must be a conciliator - and he has proven, again and again, to be a divider, not a uniter.
The memo is ostensibly directed at people running for State Representative, and includes a complete mock-Q&A to help candidates answer questions. Questions like...
Are you doing this at Mike Madigan's behest?
This has nothing to do with Mike Madigan. I'm doing this because, after carefully considering the facts and thinking about what is in the best interests of the state, I am convinced that it is the best course and now is an appropriate time. As far as I now, the Speaker has been resistant to the idea of impeachment.
So, neither Madigan nor his staff has had any involvement with you or preparing you to make this announcement?
I am calling for the House to begin impeachment proceedings because I believe that it's the right thing to do. I've researched the issue on my own and after careful consideration believed that now is the right time to do it.
Other gems:
- "[Note: DO NOT get involved in a debate about what President Jones will or will not do. Don't even mention his name.] " Heh.
- "Are you just doing this to benefit Lisa Madigan's goal to become governor? [Note: Don't repeat her name or get into a discussion about her future political plans. This matter has nothing whatsoever to with that, and the line-of-succession is to the Lt. Gov.]"
- "What's wrong with Democrats? Why can't they govern? It's not a problem with the Democrats, it's a problem with the governor." That question is amazing. High-five to the fake reporter who's asking it.
There's also a 30-point list of "Blagojevich's Misdeeds and Malfeasance from High to Low (A Far from Complete List)" and the inclusion of a scathing Trib editorial.
And the Blago camp? Lo, they are angry.
"This is another example of the pettiness, silliness and backroom games that Speaker Madigan has been playing for months to prevent progress," Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said. "We wish he would drop his behind-the-scenes maneuvering and come to the [legislative] leaders' meetings."
Wow.[S-T, .pdf of the memo, photo via]
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Can't wait to see Blago go down like Nixon
This stuff is gold! I can't wait for this to show up on 30 Rock or SNL or something.
This stuff is sooooooo deep!
It’s like ancient Chicago Evil Empires actually taking off the gloves and waging war against each other! At least I hope! Because maybe a progressive will rise out of the smoke and ashes!
Oh, and hey frp!
How dare you appropriate Racer X's image! It was enough you did this with Speeeeeeeeed! Now Racer X! I see the Chicagoist T Shirt has gone to your head! See what happends Chicagoist when you place Chicagoist T shirts on the wrong chest!
Chim Chim starts parading around like the Mysterious Racer X!
I hope you're happy Lyons!
Because maybe a progressive will rise out of the smoke and ashes!
Who?
Quinn? I doubt he would win an election to governor, that he would be anything more than a placeholder.
The Greens? They still have trouble following the rules to get on ballots in this state, as recent news reports show.
Who, then? Vallas? Do you even consider him progressive?
Not to be cynical, but this Illinois, and this is Chicago, and I see little evidence of so-called progressives having any real shot at power. What am I missing?
Screw that guy AND Blago. DO SOMETHING SPRINGFIELD!
That, Tilly Till Tildair is where you are wrong, Ma'am!
But please find enclosed, just like Radio Rahim said in Spike Lee's classic Do the Right Thing...."The newest latest!"
The deal is Tilda, P.Q assumes the Governorship via the IL Constitution. And what is the first thing our boy does? Whelp he appoints Lisa Madigan ( generally the Gov. has the political right-of-way here) to the soon to be vacant U.S. Senate Seat! Now that Lisa is happy dancing( and she can dance!) her cute little self on the national stage, the path is laid clear for The real Come Back Kid, P.Q, to be reelected handily over a walking corpse named Dan Hynes. Vallas had his shot as another poster pointed out. He is done in Illinois unless P.O appoints him to something.
Do Not forget where you heard it from Chicagoist! And don’t ever say I didn’t give yallz nothing!
Ya heard!!!!
You really think Quinn could be elected governor, Spook?
There are days I wish I could buy the weed you are smoking. I don't strongly dislike Quinn, I just see little evidence that he has the appeal to voters you think he has, especially given all the powerful people in this state who hate the guy. Take care not to confuse your own wishes with reality, son.
But, for the sake of argument, let's assume Quinn would be elected gov. What other so-called progressives would help him enact his programs? If he has no allies, he will be powerless.
Tildare
I'm shocked at your fact pattern or lack off!
You are after all the Chicagoist poster that would accuse a grand and long lived Galápagos Tortoise of not residing on the Galápagos Islands simply because said tortoise couldn’t tell you off the top of its head the exact amount of grains of sand that exist on the Galápagos islands!
First of all P.Q has been elected both county wide and state in the past in the past. Not including his current position that he has held for two terms. So some body has been electing him and it sure aint ghost.
And you might want to look at P.Q's legislative successes. He has been very successful in finding other legislatures both in Chicago, suburban and down state to carry his bills, just like Lisa Madigan and the current Gov do. So he must have some allies and remember he will be the sitting Governor. I am sure you have heard of the power of the incumbency?
Ya heard!