Obama: ‘No Contact with The Governor’
09 December 2008 1:15 pm by Taylor Marsh
BY TAYLOR MARSH
–updates below–
Lt. Gov. Quinn urges Blagojevich to ’step aside’.
“Obviously… I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the U.S. Attorney’s office today. … I had no contact with the governor or his office. So, I was not aware of what was happening. It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment.” – President-elect Barack Obama
Sen. Durbin calls for special election:
“No appointment by this governor under these circumstances could produce a credible replacement,” Durbin said. In the press conference with reporters, Durbin also defended his state, saying the vast majority of politicians in Illinois are honest.
“I believe that the overwhelming majority of politicians in Illinois and outside are honest, hard-working people in both political parties,” he said. “There will always be exceptions in both political parties who – when given the opportunity to use power – misuse it.”
Additionally, Representative Jan Schakowsky (the best pick to assume Obama’s Senate seat), released a statement:
“This is a sad day for the people of Illinois. The charges against Governor Blagojevich are very serious and damaging. It is in the best interest of the State of Illinois that Governor Blagojevich resign from office immediately. If he does not resign, the state legislature should reconvene for a special session immediately and begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Blagojevich. I have already called the Illinois Speaker of the House, Michael Madigan, and Illinois State Senate President, Emil Jones, to ask them to come back into session to begin impeachment proceedings.”
Impeachment hearings against Blago are likely.
One thing to be aware of is that coupled with the Big 3 automakers’ plea to be bailed out, with UAW making concessions as well, the SEIU mention in the Blago case is going to have wingnut radio on fire. Their target will be the unions. Sean Hannity was already hitting it today. The two issues combined will give these bloviators a soap box to try to weaken unions. Watch for it.
Also watch the headlines: “Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship.”
UPDATE II: Regarding Blago and union scuttlebutt, here’s the statement from Change To Win:
“No one connected with Change to Win ever considered, discussed or promised any position at Change to Win to Governor Blagojevich, his staff or his advisors. In the affidavit released by the United States Attorney, a position at Change to Win is discussed only in conversations between the governor and his advisors. The first time Change to Win learned of any of the matters raised in the criminal complaint was with today’s public release of the affidavit.”
UPDATE: Here we go. RNC just released this statement:
WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement today. “Leaders of both political parties have a responsibility to clearly condemn the actions by Governor Rod Blagojevich as alleged by federal prosecutors today. Americans expect strong leadership, but President-elect Barack Obama’s comments on the matter are insufficient at best. Given the President-elect’s history of supporting and advising Governor Blagojevich, he has a responsibility to speak out and fully address the issue.”
