Impeachment of Illinois governor pushed

[Chris]

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Key Illinois Democratic legislators are circulating a letter urging support for the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested this week on federal corruption charges relating in part to the selection of President-elect Barack Obama's successor as a U.S. senator.

State Rep. John Fritchey, head of the House Civil Judiciary Committee, sent the letter Thursday asking Democratic colleagues to say by Friday whether they support a move for impeachment and would like to be added as a co-sponsor of legislation. Blagojevich also is a Democrat.

"Faced with a significant budget shortfall, a national recession, and a vacant United States Senate seat, we cannot afford to allow Illinois to operate without effective leadership in the [Illinois] executive branch," said the letter, also signed by Reps. Thomas Holbrook, David Miller and James Brosnahan.


(more...)

[Chris]

A new wrinkle.  And I wanted an excuse to put that picture on the front page.

[bijou]

Ompeachment now!!11!!ELEVENTY!1

[Tess Anderson]

I don't know - there's also rumours Blago is going to call a press conference and announce his resignation tomorrow afternoon. I think he'll do whatever his new heavyweight lawyer tells him to do. The pressure is on in Illinois, maybe the messiah was just a little too quick to resign that Senate seat.

[miskie]

Sit on it Gov. Potsie.

[Chris_]

O pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease.

This will sink the new fuhrer (actually, his handlers) faster than you can say "Vince Foster."

[Ralph Wiggum]

SPRINGFIELD--Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan today said impeachment proceedings will begin immediately against Gov. Rod Blagojevich after allegations he used his office to try to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat of Barack Obama.

Madigan, a veteran Southwest Side Chicago lawmaker and head of the Democratic Party of Illinois, announced the move against the state's first Democratic governor in more than a quarter-century at a news conference at the state Capitol.

"It is my intention to appoint a special committee to begin immediately an investigation into the governor's conduct in office and to undertake the preparatory work that is a prerequisite to an impeachment proceeding in the Illinois House," Madigan said.

More at LINK

[bijou]

SPRINGFIELD--Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan today said impeachment proceedings will begin immediately against Gov. Rod Blagojevich after allegations he used his office to try to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat of Barack Obama.

Madigan, a veteran Southwest Side Chicago lawmaker and head of the Democratic Party of Illinois, announced the move against the state's first Democratic governor in more than a quarter-century at a news conference at the state Capitol.

"It is my intention to appoint a special committee to begin immediately an investigation into the governor's conduct in office and to undertake the preparatory work that is a prerequisite to an impeachment proceeding in the Illinois House," Madigan said.

More at LINK

Ompeachment!!111!!ELEVENTY!

[ReardenSteel]

A new wrinkle.  And I wanted an excuse to put that picture on the front page.

LOL H5. 

[Wretched Excess]

huh.  illinois democrats are refusing to do the right thing for political reasons.  imagine that.

Illinois House approves impeachment probe; Senate proposal on hold

The Illinois House voted 113-0 today to begin impeachment proceedings against Gov. Rod Blagojevich by creating an investigations committee to consider allegations that the two-term Democrat abused his office and may have participated in criminal activity.

But the Democrats who control the House decided against immediately considering a plan to strip the governor of his power to appoint a successor to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. They adjourned until Jan. 12, without advancing a plan to hold a special election to fill the Senate seat.

The vote to start an impeachment investigation came six days after Blagojevich was arrested at his home on federal charges that included allegedly trying to peddle the vacant Senate seat. The committee is scheduled to have its first hearing tomorrow morning.

But Democrats, fearful they might lose the Senate seat if it was put up for a vote, essentially stalled talk of a special election. They cited concerns about the multi-million dollar cost of holding the election with state finances in shambles. The lack of action means that Blagojevich still retains the power to appoint Obama's successor.

Democrats said the assurances of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada that a Blagojevich appointee would not be seated by the Senate helped encourage them not to change current law that gives the governor the appointment power.

The lack of action prompted an outcry from Republicans who want quick action on a special election and hope to capitalize on a voter backlash against Democrats.

Link

[thundley4]

Maybe I need a tinfoil hat, but......  What if the Illinois Dems are afraid that Obama could be be called to testify?  As of now, he is only the President Elect, but after Jam. 20th, he could claim Executive Privilege, couldn't he?

[docstew]

i would think executive privelege would only apply to actions that happen in the official commission of his duties... so anything before then would be fair game

[thundley4]

i would think executive privelege would only apply to actions that happen in the official commission of his duties... so anything before then would be fair game

Ah, but if these contacts/associations occurred after November 4th, then he was holding the Office of The President Elect, and therefore covered by Pre Executive Privilege. (DU mode off) 

[Chris]

[asdf2231]

OMG that pic is freaking HILARIOUS!!! 

[Chris]

I'm dyin' here.  I didn't even notice the dollar bill in his hand.