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Our Esteemed Governor, Rod Blagojevich, has announced a press conference this afternoon to discuss the possibility of a commission to discuss who might possibly take over for YESHECAN when he takes office in January. Rather than handicap all the possibilities for the vacant seat, here's a quick list of "maybes" and we'll leave it to you to virtually wager your digital matchsticks or Halloween candy miniatures on who's going to get the nod. Here's some of the people who've been mentioned:
- Jesse Jackson Jr.
- Sandi Jackson
- Jesse White
- Emil Jones Jr.
- Dan Hynes
- Lisa Madigan
- Alexi Giannoulias
- Bill Daley
- Jan Schakowski
- Tammy Duckworth
Or, of course, Rod Blagojevich himself. But will this be an appointment based on what's best for the state? Or an appointment based on who Blago doesn't want to see running against him next time his office goes up for grabs? And what happens to Rahm Emanuel's seat, now that he's been tapped to be Chief Of Staff? We're trying to figure that out right now - but it looks like that appointment might go to Blago as well. Feel free to do your own handicapping and oddsmaking in the comments.
Photo courtesy of Sen. Obama's now-unnecessary Senate page.
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Jesse White has effectively said "no beans"
Jesse Jackson Jr., right?
That's a good assumption - except that he very well could put someone in there so they won't run against him. Someone very much like Lisa Madigan, who I think would mop the floor with him politically.
I have been thinking Lisa Madigan. Maybe Bill Daley if he seems serious about running for governor. I would use it to get rid of a rival. On the other hand, that might be moot if Blago is in jail.
How's this for an angle? Forget Senator. U.S. Attorneys should tender their resignations to the new President. Does Obama accept Fitzgerald's and stop having the Feds sniff around every nook and cranny of the city and county?
Lisa Madigan could beat Blago by double digits in a primary, but I don't see him nominating her to fill Obama's Senate post. She'll have her father's political army behind her, but she's also shown enough independence from him as AG to not be tainted by charges of nepotism.
I see Jesse Jackson, Jr. getting it as a "job well done" as co-chair of the Obama campaign. Then we could be treated to Jr.'s Fists of Fury if someone like Mitch McConnell tried to take him down a peg.
In regards to Emanuel, from The Washington Post:
"On the political side, Emanuel's appointment will set off a special election in his heavily Democratic 5th district with a cavalcade of ambitious Democrats lining up to run. Among the names mentioned: Cook County commissioners Mike Quigley and Forrest Claypool, state Sen. Ira Silverstein, state Rep. John Fritchey, 38th Ward Alderman Tom Allen, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, and 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino."
Also, Luis Gutierrez's name has been mentioned. Manny Flores already expressed interest in his House seat. Gutierrez was involved in a minor scandal a couple weeks ago, though, so he might not be considered anymore.
Chuck,
The only thing about Jesse Jr. is that he is Obama's guy and Blago gets to pick the next Senator. I guess it is not clear to me that Blago will be beholden to Obama. I mean, while 500,000 Democrats were chanting "yes we can" Blago was in the NBC studio talking to Carol Marin. He was frozen out of all Obama stuff. Would he use this Golden Ticket to do Obama's bidding? Not sure about that one.
Thinking a little further afield, how about a two year gift to Emil Jones? Send him to DC for the remainder of the term and let him draw a Federal pension when it's over. I know it is a little crazy, but so is Blago.
@Chuck:
It's funny to think that Madigan being appointed Senator would be a political attack from Blago.
I think it's JJ jr, sadly. He's been flogging that third airport for YEARS, chasing a pipe dream.
@Chicago D: Now that he's President-elect, Obama is now the figurehead and leader of the national Democratic Party.
While appointing Jones to the vacancy is plausible — he's also, after all, Obama's "political godfather" — I don't see Blago trying to mark his territory by appointing Jones if Obama wishes the seat be filed with Jr.
Patti will be appointed.
Either that or some downstate legislator (one of his few loyalists) that no one has heard of outside of downtown Springfield and his or her home district.
Blago is arrogant enough to think that he'll be able to beat his primary challengers.
Which could happen, if he has enough of them. He probably wants Madigan, Giannoulias, Bill Daley, and Hynes to all run. The more crowded the field, the better it works for Blago.
Schakowsky, not Schakowski. And I'm hoping she gets the nod!
Since Obama was the only African American Senator, it seems likely the Blago will choose JJ. I do not think he can be seen as decreasing the diversity in senate just as we elected our first black President. I know it is Blago's pick, but surely he must take some advice/recs from Obama himself? Does Blago earn brownie points for doing so? He may need some markers to call in in the near future (when he is indicted).