Illinois GOP launches special election campaign

[babylonsister]

Illinois GOP launches special election campaign
By Reid Wilson
Posted: 12/14/08 05:03 PM


Illinois Republicans are launching a statewide campaign to pressure state legislators to call a special election to fill President-elect Obama's Senate seat as momentum for letting voters decide is growing.

The campaign, announced Sunday by three Illinois GOP leaders, will feature a statewide television ad buy and a phone campaign in key legislative districts, according to a release.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D), who would replace indicted Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) should the embattled Democrat step down, has said he favors appointing a replacement for Obama, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has advocated an appointment as well.

Reid, along with every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, penned a letter to Blagojevich calling on the governor to step down but urging an appointment as the fastest way to replace Obama.

“It is within the authority of the Illinois legislature to remove your power to make this appointment by providing for a special election. But a decision by you to resign or to step aside under Article V of the Illinois Constitution would be the most expeditious way for a new senator to be chosen and seated in a manner that would earn the confidence of the people of Illinois and all Americans,” Reid wrote. “We consider it imperative that a new senator be seated as soon as possible so that Illinois is fully represented in the Senate as the important work of the 111th Congress moves forward.”

Republicans, though, smell what would be an historic opportunity to steal the president-elect's Senate seat. Along with the state GOP, incoming National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman John Ensign (Nev.) and the Republican National Committee are doing their best to add to the pressure by calling for a new election.

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/illinois-gop-launches-special-election-campaign-2008-12-14.html

[Gidney N Cloyd]

1. Paging Alan Keyes...

[madrchsod]

4. 29% keyes..?

i do`t think it would be that easy this time...wait a minute-->the milk nazi is available :rofl:

[SoCalDem]

10. You rang?

[madrchsod]

2. they have to find a warm body to run

the republicans still have`t fully recovered from the obama victory and the ryan scandal. if it goes to a special election there is a good chance the rethugs will take the seat.

in my opinion lisa madigan should be appointed to the senate seat. she`s a very good ag ,well respected by both parties and is scandal free. she`d be great pick

[tritsofme]

7. Mark Kirk is the only formidiable opponent I can see.

If he doesn't run, they don't have a chance.

[madrchsod]

9. yup he would be...

just nice enough to hide his sleaze.....

[dysfunctional press]

11. jim edgar?

:shrug:

they wouldn't be calling for it if they didn't have someone formidable on deck.

[malaise]

3. They're not in charge of the election process in Illinois

Fuck them.

[undeterred]

5. Illinois elects Democrats to the Senate.

And there should be an election anyway.

[MarjorieG]

6. Promoted as a way to get needed legislation passed, with promise not to run.

[dpbrown]

8. AS IF... Republicans would let an opportunity to appoint a Republican pass

What grandstanding hypocrites.

Governor Go-blow-me-bitch's problems have nothing to do with the Democrats appointing a Democrat to replace Obama.