It's a temporary measure, IIRC, but will prevent Blagojevich from appointing a successor to Obama in the Senate.

The governor looks like a crazed criminal any ways. How was he elected in the first place?

Seems all of Ill and the left-leaning media are painting Blago as mentally off.
What a defense!

Wow the new threads are coming so fast you would think they were trying to keep up with the falling of the automakers fortunes.

Now lets see how many Blago will drag down with him...

Link: Attorney General Moves to Oust Blago

The Illinois attorney general filed a motion with the state's highest court Friday asking justices to strip the scandal-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich of his powers.

Lisa Madigan took the action Friday as pressure on the governor intensified to step down. Madigan scheduled a news conference in Chicago Friday morning to discuss the motion. You can watch it live here.

The move came as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.

The attorney general asked the court for a temporary restraining order or an injunction that prevents Blagojevich from serving as governor. The filing says he is "unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office."

"The pervasive nature and severity of these pending charges disable Mr. Blagojevich from making effective decisions on critical, time-sensitive issues," the filing said.

The filing asks that the lieutenant governor assume Blagojevich's powers.

It is the first time in Illinois history that such an action was taken. The attorney general is applying a rule that was intended to cover cases where a governor is incapacitated for health reasons.

Her motion indicates that his inability to serve because of the scandal is akin to a debilitating health issue.

The motion came three days after Blagojevich was accused of putting Barack Obama's Senate seat up for sale and shaking down the owners of the Chicago Tribune.

He's calling in the villagers with torches and pitchforks?

re: #4 mean Gene

Then the question is: Why did the people of Illinois elect a MENTALLY DERANGED idiot?

re: #10 buzzsawmonkey

lol

Under what grounds?

He has been charged, not convicted.

Indeed, he is likely guilty, but the correct approach is impeachment, and that hasn't happened yet.

This is going to be fun when Rod turns on the people that he promoted after receiving bribes.

Careful now... Lisa is as corrupt as the rest of those assholes.

How many days until Rahm is thrown under the bus ?

cuz

Blago's gonna sing

re: #11 winston06

Then the question is: Why did the people of Illinois elect a MENTALLY DERANGED idiot?

the hair!

re: #9 Iron Fist

That's just freaking sad and socialist ;-)

re: #17 saberry0530

the hair!

They thought they were voting for Donald Trump.

re: #13 Chip Designer

Under what grounds?

He has been charged, not convicted.

Indeed, he is likely guilty, but the correct approach is impeachment, and that hasn't happened yet.

Good point.
Does a Dem congress have the will to remove their own from office?

re: #15 Vet_Missing_Parts (1LT, Ret)

probably she is saving her arse by doing this

re: #19 Hard Right

both r dumb men

re: #4 mean Gene

Seems all of Ill and the left-leaning media are painting Blago as mentally off.
What a defense!

Makes sense- in an MSM kind of fashion: Democrat politicians succumb to corruption because they are helpless victims of disease while Republican politicians succumb to corruption because they are evil.

/Right!

The move came as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.

I love it when the accused pray, and like Clinton, confer with pastors. You know they are in desperation mode.

re: #19 Hard Right

They thought they were voting for Donald Trump.

DT pays more for hair care than I make in a year!

I don't care what they say. No matter what this is going to be swept under the carpet. If this guy had an "R" after his name this would go on ad nauseum for months. This will be a faded memory this time next month.

Blagojevich has filed a short brief in response.

"Bleep"

re: #21 winston06

probably she is saving her arse by doing this

Or saving Barry's in response to a really nifty appointment or vacation house or something.

/I hate my state.

They (the all-powerful "they") want Blago gone muy rapido. The longer he's in power, the longer the investigation stays in the public eye. The longer it's in the public eye, the more Chicago skidbags will be exposed as the criminals they are. I hope Blago fights tooth and nail to cling to his position.

re: #13 Chip Designer

Chicago Pols (pol pots) are trying to save him and thats just the beginning of the rescue process

re: #8 Hard Right

He's calling in the villagers with torches and pitchforks?

Careful, Blago is heating up the oil treatments he uses on his hair to deal with the rabble.

re: #24 CIA Reject

Makes sense- in an MSM kind of fashion: Democrat politicians succumb to corruption because they are helpless victims of disease while Republican politicians succumb to corruption because they are evil.

/Right!

AND you mustn't demonize someone for a simple mental disorder!

NOT YET! There is still a hellova lotta milage in that scumbag. The crooks have just noticed their fly is open and don't want anyone seeing deeper than what is already hanging out.

Posted in wrong thread before ...

Wish the attorney general would take as much interest in the voting fraud and the regular ole day to day pay to play that goes on in Illinois ...seems they stepped up to the plate pretty fast on this one when it reflects badly on The One ...

And how is this enhancing our reputation in the world exactly?

re: #32 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Careful, Blago is heating up the oil treatments he uses on his hair to deal with the rabble.

lmao

re: #15 Vet_Missing_Parts (1LT, Ret)

Careful now... Lisa is as corrupt as the rest of those assholes.

Hunh. How so? BTW, does anyone know if Ed Madigan, former Ill. congressman and Sec. USDA was her father?

re: #36 DistantThunder

And how is this enhancing our reputation in the world exactly?

It proves we're just like them.

bluh-GOY'-uh-vich needs a new defense. He could try admitting that his truth is that he's a gay American.

re: #26 saberry0530

DT pays more for hair care than I make in a year!

Then someone needs to be fired 'cause...damn!

Well we've always known that the south side of Chicago is like a third world country. Change!

blago could hurry up and appoint himself US senator.

he'd fit right in in the senate

I don't like it. Keep Hot-rod in, but in a neutered state. The Dems are trying to replace Hot-Rod so they can keep the senate seat.

I want to see the senate seat held open till a special election can be held, which the republicans have a shot at winning.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed complaints asking the Supreme Court to remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office

/how does this help Michelle's children?

re: #40 doppelganglander

bluh-GOY'-uh-vich needs a new defense. He could try admitting that his truth is that he's a gay American.

Well, he has certainly tried to fuck enough people.

re: #40 doppelganglander

bluh-GOY'-uh-vich needs a new defense. He could try admitting that his truth is that he's a gay American.

He should at least go for bi-sexual - something novel.

re: #36 DistantThunder

And how is this enhancing our reputation in the world exactly?

Don't worry - the world is not exactly in a position to point fingers at Blago!

Well, perhaps the Swiss - but Switzerland is not the world.
(Aww, don't let my Swiss BIL read this, please, dear God!)

re: #38 wahabicorridor

Hunh. How so? BTW, does anyone know if Ed Madigan, former Ill. congressman and Sec. USDA was her father?

It's the system here. And yes, she is...

re: #47 DistantThunder

He should at least go for bi-sexual - something novel.

He's a zoophile!

re: #31 winston06

Chicago Pols (pol pots) are trying to save him and thats just the beginning of the rescue process

No, they're hanging him out to dry right now and trying to save their own asses. It's how it works in Chicago.

re: #33 mean Gene

AND you mustn't demonize someone for a simple mental disorder!

Of course!

re: #48 yma o hyd

Don't worry - the world is not exactly in a position to point fingers at Blago!

Well, perhaps the Swiss - but Switzerland is not the world.
(Aww, don't let my Swiss BIL read this, please, dear God!)

No chocolate watches for you.

re: #44 DeafDog

I don't like it. Keep Hot-rod in, but in a neutered state. The Dems are trying to replace Hot-Rod so they can keep the senate seat.

I want to see the senate seat held open till a special election can be held, which the republicans have a shot at winning.

What a curse and a bad omen that would be for the Democrats - stalking the president. "First we got his senate seat, then the presidency."

If this is any indication of what the Obama administration is going to be like the next few years is going to be one long clown car.

Silver lining - perhaps this will remind Americans what REAL corruption looks like.

. Asked for comment, Gov. B. : 'Made it, Ma! Top of the world!'

re: #51 Honorary Yooper

okay if you say so ;-)

re: #38 wahabicorridor

Hunh. How so? BTW, does anyone know if Ed Madigan, former Ill. congressman and Sec. USDA was her father?

No. Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House is her father.

Blago must have the goods on somebody(s), he's doubling down

Blago should hurry up and appoint someone who pisses off the whole power elite...

if only there was a politician in Illinois like that. %-)

I never ever thought I would see an administration that made William Jefferson Blythe Clinton's look honest and ethical.

I think this might just be it

re: #58 Honorary Yooper

No. Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House is her father.

My bad... wrong Madigan.

re: #49 Vet_Missing_Parts (1LT, Ret)

It's the system here. And yes, she is...

Thanks. Hubby knew her father and liked him very much.

re: #59 kafir lover

Blago must have the goods on somebody(s), he's doubling down

If he sings we could see a lot of people go down, bigtime!

And the biggest scandal to come out of the Bush white house was the faux Scooter Libby scandal.

re: #56 Tumulus11

. Asked for comment, Gov. B. : 'FUCKING Made it, Ma! FUCKING Top of the world!'

re: #13 Chip Designer

Under what grounds?

He has been charged, not convicted.

Indeed, he is likely guilty, but the correct approach is impeachment, and that hasn't happened yet.

This is a legit avenue to take as well.

re: #63 wahabicorridor

Thanks. Hubby knew her father and liked him very much.

'cept I misspoke, wrong guy.

re: #53 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

No chocolate watches for you.

Teeheehee!

re: #21 winston06

probably she is saving her arse by doing this

More likely she's doing it at his request. When the court, rightly, refuses to act on the grounds that it's the legislature's responsibility he'll spin it as an endorsement to stay on in place and continue until the legislature acts on impeachment proceedings.

The Chicago Outfit ...is probably wanting Blago to go the "razor blade in the bathtub" route like in the Godfather ...you know "for the sake of his family" ...

I hope he sings like a canary ...

re: #58 Honorary Yooper

No. Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House is her father.

Oh, ok, thanks. Hubby and I are sitting at our desks next to each other and he said he found it difficult to think that "Ed would raise a crook, even if it is Chicago".

re: #58 Honorary Yooper

No. Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House is her father.

And if I'm not mistaken, he and Blago hate each other's guts. Damn, this is fun to watch -- unless you're from Illinois, and then it's just sad.

re: #58 Honorary Yooper

No. Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the Illinois House is her father.

Gawd, what is it with the Socialists everywhere - railing against aristocrats, but keeping political positions in their own families, inherited from father to son/daughter ..

Keep Blogo, please. Pretty please.

re: #36 DistantThunder

And how is this enhancing our reputation in the world exactly?

IMHO the people who spout that stuff don't really want our reputation enhanced in the world at all. I think they really want the country to look like a pathetic, impotent, paper tiger- they hate the US that much...

/scumbags

re: #70 Dave_Da_Kid

More likely she's doing it at his request. When the court, rightly, refuses to act on the grounds that it's the legislature's responsibility he'll spin it as an endorsement to stay on in place and continue until the legislature acts on impeachment proceedings.

I hope he does stay on. More popcorn please!

Heard on the news this morning that Mike Madigan was trying to prevent the Lt Governor from assuming Blago's post because he wanted his daughter (Lisa Madigan) to get the job instead. Now she makes a move to create an opening for herself?

Way to clean up your act, Illinois!

"He was just some guy in my neighborhood, a governor of Illinois. I was only 41 when Rod Bagojevich was elected governor. The notion that I had anything to do with those deplorable actions which occurred many, many days ago is just absurd." - BHO, in an upcoming press release

re: #78 mike(in)savage

Heard on the news this morning that Mike Madigan was trying to prevent the Lt Governor from assuming Blago's post because he wanted his daughter (Lisa Madigan) to get the job instead. Now she makes a move to create an opening for herself?

Way to clean up your act, Illinois!

That sounds par for the course here. I'm sure she thinks nobody would notice.

re: #73 doppelganglander

And if I'm not mistaken, he and Blago hate each other's guts. Damn, this is fun to watch -- unless you're from Illinois, and then it's just sad.

Yes, they hate each others guts. It's been fascinating to watch for quite some time now. It'll be interesting to see where they go with this. The Madigans want Lisa to be the governor, but Pat Quinn is in the way as Lt. Governor.

Wonder who Blago will flip on, or if the Feds have more information than they are letting on.

"I did not have political relations with that man, Mr. Blagojevich" -Obama /heh, Lewinsky reference

This is an end run - they don't want the fallout that the legal process of impeachment in Illinois would bring.

Barack Obama has to come clean about Rod Blagojevich – and fast

Day Three of Blagogate and Barack Obama still doesn't get it. On Day One, he said it was sobering and saddening but it would be inappropriate for him to comment. On Day Two, he let it be known, through a spokesman and after virtually every other politician in America had already expressed the same sentiment, that it might be a good idea for Governor Rod Blagojevich to resign.

So we shouldn't have expected too much from today's press conference. What did we get? Three questions about Blagogate and a fourth one about healthcare - to which, when the questioner said she was changing the subject, Obama responded: "Good." - and three lawyerly responses.

From a blog over at the Telegraph. More at the link.

re: #74 yma o hyd

Gawd, what is it with the Socialists everywhere - railing against aristocrats, but keeping political positions in their own families, inherited from father to son/daughter ..

It's a rash all over the Machine here. The Madigans, Daleys, Strogers, Beavers, Jacksons, Mells, etc. Blagojevich fits under the Mells as he is his SIL.

re: #25 DistantThunder

The move came as the governor prayed with several ministers in his home before heading to his office, telling them he is innocent and will be vindicated "when you hear each chapter completely written," according to one of the pastors.

I love it when the accused pray, and like Clinton, confer with pastors. You know they are in desperation mode.

. . . , and desperate times call for desperate prayer!

This is a machine decision. Blago is the sacrificial lamb cockroach.

Too bad the US supreme court can't do the same thing to O

The Democrats are TRYING TO AVOID A LONG PROTRACTED IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. Who knows what Blago will do to his fellow Democrats. Who knows what a impeachment trial will reveal about Obama?

Blagojevich probably has A LOT of dirt on fellow Democrats. The Democrats know this.

I think this guy is guilt as sin, but I also have to believe there are due process/innocent until proven guilty issues here, no? Seems dicey to remove someone who is merely accused from office (though admittedly caught about as red handed as one could be, short of actually being handed a briefcase full of $$), prior to a trial and conviction.

re: #3 winston06

The governor looks like a crazed criminal any ways.

You say that like it's a BAD thing...

How was he elected in the first place?

We're talking Chicago, remember?

re: #91 Thinking Mans Republican

I think this guy is guilt as sin, but I also have to believe there are due process/innocent until proven guilty issues here, no? Seems dicey to remove someone who is merely accused from office (though admittedly caught about as red handed as one could be, short of actually being handed a briefcase full of $$), prior to a trial and conviction.

The Supremes should see this as a violation of his personal rights. He has been convicted of no crime (yet) and AFAIK there is no "if you get accused, you must step down" thing in Illinois law.

re: #90 Balian1193

The Democrats are TRYING TO AVOID A LONG PROTRACTED IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. Who knows what Blago will do to his fellow Democrats. Who knows what a impeachment trial will reveal about Obama?

Blagojevich probably has A LOT of dirt on fellow Democrats. The Democrats know this.

It's a temporary measure, and cannot be used to permanently remove Blagojevich from office. There will still be an impeachment trial regardless.

Two points: One, the Constitutionally correct remedy to the "Blago Problem" is for the Ill. Leg. to Impeach and Remove Blago from the Gov.'s office, not for the AG and Courts to step in and create Constitutional chaos (if Blago is "stripped" of his power who is in charge of administering to the State? The admistration of the State does not stop, the Gov.'s signature is still required for a myriad of governmental minutia. The Lt. Gov. is still just the Lt. Gov. and not the Gov.. It is obvious the AG has not thought out the implications of what is being suggested.) Two: Usually Presidental Administrations wait until their honeymoon with Congress is over before they get tangled in scandals, The Obama Administration-elect already has Axelrod and Emmanuel knee-deep in this mess. (And it is a mess--public officials who are the target of an attempted bribe are required by law to report the attempted bribe, their are no exceptions that I know of). This is definitely a "Change."

/As someone who was born in MA, I am furious to see a record that has stood for so many decades is now being broken by IL, re crooked ploiticians.

So how many other states can boast about the mayor of their capital working from a jail cell while still the Mayor? A show of hands, please!

Let James Michael Curley hurrahs be lasting:Rascal’s worth the reminiscing

He died 3 years after I graduated from High School, but we no longer lived in the city of Boston, but in the city of Newton, a suburb of Boston.

/Next thing you know IL will try to outdo the Great Molasses Flood.

re: #13 Chip Designer

Under what grounds?

He has been charged, not convicted.

Indeed, he is likely guilty, but the correct approach is impeachment, and that hasn't happened yet.

I'm afraid I have to agree with this. As much as I'd like to see Blago drawn and quartered in the public square before sundown, we shouldn't toss aside the rule of law in our haste to seem him punished. Like every other citizen, he is innocent until proven guilty, and if he chooses to stand for trial then that is where his guilt will ultimately be determined.

If he does damage by holding on to power, that suggests that there is a problem with the arrangements under which he holds power that needs to be addressed. But that examination, too, has a well-defined process that must be followed, and until any such examination is held and changes are made, we're bound to operate under the existing framework.

If Blago appoints Obama's replacement, whoever that person is will be stained by this scandal, rightly or wrongly, and their Senate career will be severely curtailed because of it. It will also stain Obama's Presidency to some extent. Hard tellin' whether this is a bad thing, or a good thing. But it is a fact.

I think Blago is hanging tough because he thinks the potential embarrassment he can unleash can be used as a bargaining chip. I think he is profoundly wrong about this, and any attempts to play that card will only make things worse for him. But that seems to be how his tiny little mind operates. The Senate, however, doesn't need a full complement of players to operate - except around elections, most of the membership takes vast amounts of time off as it is.

re: #96 NY Nana

/As someone who was born in MA, I am furious to see a record that has stood for so many decades is now being broken by IL, re crooked ploiticians.

So how many other states can boast about the mayor of their capital working from a jail cell while still the Mayor? A show of hands, please!

Let James Michael Curley hurrahs be lasting:Rascal’s worth the reminiscing

He died 3 years after I graduated from High School, but we no longer lived in the city of Boston, but in the city of Newton, a suburb of Boston.

/Next thing you know IL will try to outdo the Great Molasses Flood.

Fear not, Nana, you'll always have fat ted. Nobody could top that:)

wahabicorridor
12/12/08 9:55:05 am reply quote 0

re: #15 Vet_Missing_Parts (1LT, Ret)

Hunh. How so? BTW, does anyone know if Ed Madigan, former Ill. congressman and Sec. USDA was her father?

Lisa's father is Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, no relation to Ed. If it matters, I had the pleasure of living in Ed's district, and may I say that he was a really nice guy and a great representative. I was devastated when he lost the Whip post to Newt Gingrich. When he left the House to serve as Ag. Sec it was a sad day for our district. We've not had good a good rep since.

90 Balian1193
12/12/08 10:12:00

The Democrats are TRYING TO AVOID A LONG PROTRACTED IMPEACHMENT PROCESS. Who knows what Blago will do to his fellow Democrats. Who knows what a impeachment trial will reveal about Obama?

Blagojevich probably has A LOT of dirt on fellow Democrats. The Democrats know this.

This could well be the resurgence of the Republican Party in Illinois. George Ryan did a number on the party. Of course, Illinois is pretty screwy, anyway. Downstate Democrats are often more conservative than upstate (Chicago area) Republicans. Case in point: when Ryan ran for governer his opponent, Glen Poshard, a downstater from Olney, (I believe) was more conservative on many issues than Ryan. Ryan won I think on name recognition as he had been the Secretary of State and Lt. Governor prior to that.

re: #91 Thinking Mans Republican

Apparently there's more to this than meets the eye. For Fitz to act to swiftly, money must've changed hands. It is stongly suspected that some sort of down payment was made on the Senate seat, prompting Fitz to act. Ed Morrisey at Hot Air agrees.

They are in one big hurry to get this shut off aren't they?

re: #11 winston06

Then the question is: Why did the people of Illinois elect a MENTALLY DERANGED idiot?

he is no more a MENTALLY DERANGED IDIOT than the next democrook he just got caught

re: #40 doppelganglander

Well, it would explain the hair...

/BAD Joncelli! BAD!

Huffa Puffa, Huffa Puffa - old man here can't keep up with all of Charles threads today.
I'm sorry but has anyone raised the question that if she gets Blago sacked, than Lisa Madigan is unlikely to get apointed to Obama's Senate Seat?

The Provocateur points out how cynical this is:

Since he arrived in Chicago seven years ago, the list of those convicted, under investigation, or indicted by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is long, wide, and crosses party lines. He has indicted politicians, power brokers, and political appointees. My favorite Latin phrase is Res Ipsa Loquitor, the facts speak for themselves. Fitzgerald's record as a corruption crusader speaks for itself. So too, does the record, or lack thereof, of Lisa Madigan's. While Fitzgerald was busy sweeping up just about every corrupt individual in Chicago, Lisa Madigan has been rather silent in indicting, investigating, and convicting corrupt Illinois politicians. This is NOT a matter of turf. These politicians committed crimes in Illinois, and there are plenty of crimes that the Attorney General of Illinois could go after these folks for. That she largely hasn't speaks a lot more to her lack of will and caring about the corruption here than to a lack of crimes to investigate.

re: #106 dhg4
I don't think it's just cynacism - Lisa Madigan was supposedly #1 on Blago's list to replace Obama; Jesse jr was #1 on Obama's list.
Looks like Madigan lost this one.

I know he's a total scumbag, but so far, he's only been indicted and charged.

re: #44 DeafDog

I don't like it. Keep Hot-rod in, but in a neutered state. The Dems are trying to replace Hot-Rod so they can keep the senate seat.

I want to see the senate seat held open till a special election can be held, which the republicans have a shot at winning.

What about: Governor DITKA!

Blago's Chief of Staff, also a target in these investigations, has just resigned.

re: #109 Macker

What about: Governor DITKA!

Chief of Staff - Richard Marvin "Dick" Butkus

I really don't trust the haste to get this Blaglovich guy outa office.. the Dems must be wetting their diapers figuring out what he can tell about them.

/Rohm is gutted and left on the side of the road too?

/my guess is all the named ones will walk out one day.. with a plea deal.. and NO report about what they plead guilty too; or hitmen will be busy this winter.

Now the Donks are trying to void elections. If Gov was elected, then they are stuck. they can recall him like Gray Davis Gov of Ca was. Or they can impeach him. Seems soon as he has only been profane and said a lot of malarkey: buy this,sell this, curse that etch..Hwhat has he done?
If they void and election this time, what about the next time...