AOL Hot Seat Poll: How should Illinois replace Barack Obama?
posted at 4:40 pm on December 14, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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The answer will be obvious to everyone except Harry Reid, of course, but let’s see just how one-sided this poll gets:
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You know they will NEVER put this out in an election because they know they will lose the seat to any republican challenger at this time. I am watching the Fox News Special, “Pay to Play, the Chicago Way?” and it is so slimey you want to take a shower after viewing how dirty this all is.
karenhasfreedom on December 14, 2008 at 4:45 PM
H Reid is an A&& hole. He needs to go buy buy next election.
He’s completly usless just like Pelosi.
Rick007 on December 14, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Let the PEOPLE vote.
The non-dead, non-acorn people.
christene on December 14, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I think the Democrats have been very amusing trying to make sure this doesn’t go to a special election. Very transparent.
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM
2 words.
Mike Ditka (R-Il)
Micheal on December 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Im torn. On one hand the special election is the right thing to do. On the other hand, I would love to see the democrats hang themselves with some super shady pick, which would set up the narrative of the democrats being corrupt for 2010.
muyoso on December 14, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Harry Reid, worrying the Dems might not be looking so good (even in very blue Illinois) after Goingtojailovich’s bizzare garage sale?
You should worry.
Mr. Joe on December 14, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Of 14 voters, 19% said thumbs down. What’s wrong with you?
Entelechy on December 14, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Just put a sign that says, “Present” on his old Senate desk. It would be as if BHO never left the Senate. Of course, the sign will have to leave, soon after getting there, and go running around the US and the world for a while, but we’ll deal with that later.
progressoverpeace on December 14, 2008 at 4:51 PM
@ progressoverpeace on December 14, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I think whoever is chosen should follow in Obamas example and start running for president within 48 hours of being named.
muyoso on December 14, 2008 at 4:53 PM
c) don’t care anymore.
fossten on December 14, 2008 at 4:53 PM
The people should decide whenever possible. Of course the choice will probably be between a couple of shitheels. I am convinced that anyone who longs to be in government is by definition a defective personality.
echosyst on December 14, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Well I say to wait until there is a very bright star in the sky. The brightest star in 2000 years.
MB4 on December 14, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Hey, elections are too messy for unions (card check) and now they’re not needed for Senate races either. Let’s go back to them being appointed. And soon enough we won’t have to have messy presidential elections either.
rbj on December 14, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Wouldn’t it be great if “Joe the Plumber” announced his intention to run for the vacant Senate seat………..?
…….. not enough pop corn in the world!
Seven Percent Solution on December 14, 2008 at 4:58 PM
You know this is a very good point. Any replacement of Blago is probably going to be about as corrupt as Blago so any appointment is going to be problematic. And that would be good. I may want to change my vote to thumbs down.
JonRoss on December 14, 2008 at 4:58 PM
And didn’t I hear from someone somewhere that the Illinois state consitution specifically provides for the governor to appoint a replacement, so a special election has no basis in law.
But on the other hand laws don’t seemed to be adhered to in parts of Illinois so who knows. And nothing personal to my friends in Illinois. We had a former governor in Tennessee go to jail in the last 30 or so years. Democrat.
JonRoss on December 14, 2008 at 5:03 PM
I’m to the point now that I would rather have a prequalified lottery than an election. Sort of like jury duty. Only the entrants have to pass a series of tests first or something. It’s not like what the politicians are doing is rocket science or anything. Just about anyone could do their jobs and probably do it better.
Guardian on December 14, 2008 at 5:03 PM
God willing, after the Minnesota recount is complete, may Al Franken quickly relocate to Chicago.
Bruno Strozek on December 14, 2008 at 5:04 PM
I want them to follow the law as written and I don’t think that calls for a special election at this point. Sorry to go all conservative on you.
snaggletoothie on December 14, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Ha, that would be great!
conservnut on December 14, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Agreed! Thank you
conservnut on December 14, 2008 at 5:07 PM
A special election primary, followed by a coin flip between the Republican and Democrat, with the Pope doing the toss.
Sergeant Tim on December 14, 2008 at 5:07 PM
I figure with a special election the payoff money goes more to the repeat voters and not just the already elected crooks. Just proof that Reagan’s trickle down theory works.
Buzzy on December 14, 2008 at 5:08 PM
I say don’t replace him at all. Tell Illinois they can only have one US Senator from now on. One corrupt senator from Chicago is quite enough.
t.ferg on December 14, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Great snaglletoothie. At least you had the courage to stand up and state what is behind your vote. If Blago broke the law, what’s next. Can’t the legislature call for a special election? I suppose his Lt. Gov. will make the pick, as is.
Entelechy on December 14, 2008 at 5:13 PM
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/6877
Micheal on December 14, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Uh oh.
misslizzi on December 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM
The law allows them to hold a special election. It’s no less conservative to believe they should hold a special election. You’ve no reason to condescend here.
Esthier on December 14, 2008 at 5:15 PM
They should just hold a state lottery for the seat, Buy a ticket become a US senator. It wouldn’t really matter who won it since the Democrats have proved conclusively that any idiot can be a US Senator.
Dreadnought223 on December 14, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Apathy got us to this point in the American politics. It’s no way out either.
Thanks Esthier – HA is a great source for learning.
Entelechy on December 14, 2008 at 5:19 PM
I was more surprised by the results of the poll below Ed’s at AOL.
“Is Obama mired in corrupt Chicago politics?”
59% said yes.
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I didn’t see anything in the constitution about appointment to the US Senate, but it says about other appointees:
pedestrian on December 14, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Every state except DC said yes, which said no to the tune of 33/66. Probably because they see Chicago as less corrupt, compared to where they live.
jimmy the notable on December 14, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Entelechy on December 14, 2008 at 5:22 PM
DITKA, BABY!!
Red State State of Mind on December 14, 2008 at 5:23 PM
http://www.americandaily.com/article/23697
http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzVmYzQ2ODkyNThhYjE2YTIxNGQwZWRiNjNjYmYyM2Y=
Allah, why hasn’t there been a thread on this subject?
Micheal on December 14, 2008 at 5:26 PM
It’s time for Seantor Mike Ditka
ConservativePartyNow on December 14, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Almost makes me wish I lived up there so I could support him…..Almost!
conservnut on December 14, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Da Bears
Kini on December 14, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Um, for the law to be passed to call for a special election would have some problems.
1. It would shred the Illinois Constitution for starters.
2. It would have to be signed into law by, dum, dum, dum….the Governer.
That is, unless it passed with a veto-proof majority. Even if it is passed with a veto-proof majority the Governer can just let it sit on his desk as long as he wants and take no action on it.
Blarg the Destroyer on December 14, 2008 at 5:46 PM
This will be messy if he doesn’t voluntarily resign. And no, I don’t think disregarding the current laws is “conservative”.
Current Illinois law: (10 ILCS 5/25‑8) (from Ch. 46, par. 25‑8)
Sec. 25‑8. When a vacancy shall occur in the office of United States Senator from this state, the Governor shall make temporary appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of representatives in Congress, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election, and the senator so elected shall take office as soon thereafter as he shall receive his certificate of election.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)
Looks like he’s only removed on conviction on impeachment:
SECTION 6. GUBERNATORIAL SUCCESSION
(a) In the event of a vacancy, the order of succession
to the office of Governor or to the position of Acting
Governor shall be the Lieutenant Governor, the elected
Attorney General, the elected Secretary of State, and then as provided by law.
(b) If the Governor is unable to serve because of death, conviction on impeachment, failure to qualify, resignation or other disability, the office of Governor shall be filled by the officer next in line of succession for the remainder of the term or until the disability is removed.
(c) Whenever the Governor determines that he may be
seriously impeded in the exercise of his powers, he shall so
notify the Secretary of State and the officer next in line of succession. The latter shall thereafter become Acting
Governor with the duties and powers of Governor. When the
Governor is prepared to resume office, he shall do so by
notifying the Secretary of State and the Acting Governor.
(d) The General Assembly by law shall specify by whom
and by what procedures the ability of the Governor to serve
or to resume office may be questioned and determined. The
Supreme Court shall have original and exclusive jurisdiction
to review such a law and any such determination and, in the
absence of such a law, shall make the determination under
such rules as it may adopt.
(Source: Illinois Constitution.)
jim m on December 14, 2008 at 5:52 PM
Thanks for the link; I read it, but despite this admonition..
I’d prefer to see a list of what Ditka has accomplished in his life up against Caroline Kennedy before I drew any conclusions about her worthyness vis-a-vis Ditka.
Red State State of Mind on December 14, 2008 at 5:56 PM
Let the PEOPLE vote….oh, and make sure THEY HAVE ID.
GarandFan on December 14, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Put me in the column for :
They should follow the current laws of the State of Illinois,
which I believe say that the Governor (or whoever is in charge should the governor be incapacitated for more than a short period of time) gets to appoint the replacement.
It would be nice if they let the people choose, but if the current law says otherwise, go with the current law.
Then, through the proper process, CHANGE that law if the people so desire, so that NEXT time this happens, the will of the people can be done.
LegendHasIt on December 14, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Won’t they just elect Jesse Jackson Jr anyway? How many times do the citizens of Chicago have to prove that they don’t care about the corruption?
Tanya on December 14, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Why not let the Catholic Church raffle it off. I mean the Cardinal already gets license plate number 1. Jesse could buy a million chances and the state would eliminate its deficit.
flyoverland on December 14, 2008 at 6:46 PM
They should have a special election. That is only fair thing to do.
sheebe on December 14, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Heh. Ent – how on earth did we get 19% of 14 votes? 2.66 votes?
Jaibones on December 14, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Bing!
Even the white liberal suburbanites in Jesse’s Dem-rigged district vote for this stapled retard.
But I must say, Tanya, this feels a little different. Remind me I said that when he’s my new Senator.
Jaibones on December 14, 2008 at 7:16 PM
me, too !
Red State State of Mind on December 14, 2008 at 7:23 PM
With an empty seat, which is all that was when Obama occupied it.
NoDonkey on December 14, 2008 at 7:25 PM
To h#ll with the ‘Chicago Way’,about
doing it the good old fashion way,like
a special election,like the good old
tried and true way,’the American Way’!!
‘Vote for your Guy’,crap,I mean Party!!
canopfor on December 14, 2008 at 7:25 PM
I have zero faith in the integrity of any election in Illinois that includes Cook County.
SouthernGent on December 14, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Rahmbos seat should be voted on as well. Maybe the vote could be supervised by Jimmeee Carter or Hamas. That will ensure an honest vote, at least by Chicago standards.
typical white person on December 14, 2008 at 7:31 PM
When I picked special election I was under the impression that it was a legal option. I am sure most did.
Cindy Munford on December 14, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Looks like Obama is just going to have to stay in the senate. Oh well, he had a good run.
BDavis on December 14, 2008 at 7:47 PM
I’m voting for one of those chickens in a box that pecks “Yes”, “No” but mostly “Present”.
Claypigeon on December 14, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Ditka throws a mean clipboard and wouldn’t hesitate to throw at the likes of Reid.
Regardless of his flaws, trust me when I say this, the folks love Mike Ditka here in ChiTown and he’d win in a landslide.
Better duck quick Reid and Pelosi, Ditka’s an equal opportunity clip board tosser!!!
Knucklehead on December 14, 2008 at 8:12 PM
A nice piece on the topic. The comments are good.
http://beldar.blogs.com/beldarblog/2008/12/beldar-predicts-that-blagojevich-wont-be-impeached-until-convicted-in-court.html
a capella on December 14, 2008 at 8:24 PM
Fixed it for ya.
Knucklehead on December 14, 2008 at 8:36 PM
The rub is that we don’t count.
thegreatbeast on December 14, 2008 at 8:39 PM
27% said no and you can’t have any of the $100 bill that I found in my mail box.
14% said that they had not yet checked their mailbox.
MB4 on December 14, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I believe that Harry Reid should be able to select the replacement. He’s Mormon so you know he’s fair.
Mormon Doc on December 14, 2008 at 9:08 PM
If Blago holds tough, he can really create a mess for quite a while. An impeachment will take a while. And Madigan’s “removal proposal” is completely nuts, and (if granted) would create a horrible precedent.
Just to get to a special election, Blago would have to sign the bill. If he hasn’t gotten what he wants when the bill gets to him, he could sit on it for a while and then veto it, forcing an override.
They would do it but we’d already be into Obama’s term.
Look, if it has to be an appointment, it will be a Democrat, and a liberal one at that.
If it comes to that, why not a broad base of support for Abner Mikva?
He supported Obama, but he would be good when it comes to the Clinton confirmation hearings. He wouldn’t get the committee assignment to participate, but he has been out front in what he has publicly said about the idea.
He was on Fox today with Chris Wallace and is a very bright, measured guy.
From their point of view, it would actually be the best step that the Democrats from Illinois could do to begin to establish at least some measure of public confidence in their political process. And, he would set a considerable standard for the future.
He is 82 and would probably would not want to stay for long, so Republicans could take some comfort in the fact that some guy was not coming in to grab the seat for the next four terms. He might even agree up front to fill the seat for just the remainder of the term (unless Illinois requires a special election come this November, in which it would be shorter.)
There would be opposition, such as NRA, but every Democrat will hold a position similar to his.
The irony would be that the appeals court judge who wanted to appoint Obama as his clerk, and who was turned down, ends up being appointed to fill the remainder of Obama’s Senate term.
Trochilus on December 14, 2008 at 10:01 PM
The Dhimmicrats need to give Blago the same rights as a terrorist. Howz about they follow the LAW!
Mojave Mark on December 14, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Jaibones on December 14, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Major correction, especially for my friend Jaibones :)
J, I noticed too late, and forgot the correction. So sorry,
Entelechy on December 14, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Replace Obama’s vacant Senate seat with a computer that just randomly generates YES/NO/PRESENT votes.
Dreadnought223 on December 14, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I’ve never been apathetic. I’m one of the most rabid right wingers you’ll ever meet.
My post reflects resignation in the hopelessness of the People’s Republic of Illinois.
Hope that clarifies it for you.
fossten on December 14, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Apparently, over and over and over….
hillbillyjim on December 14, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Sheesh, Ed. Look at the website on which you are posting this “poll.” How lopsided do you think the result is going to be?
Len on December 14, 2008 at 11:03 PM
Sheesh, Len, why don’t you go to your corner and cry about it a while, and it’ll be all better.
hillbillyjim on December 14, 2008 at 11:08 PM
Emporer Daley will not allow that to happen.
DannoJyd on December 15, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Instead of printing lottery tickets, they can just draw a prisoner number from the DOC roster. At least the good people of Illinois will know ahead of time just what kind of criminal will be holding office.
Laura in Maryland on December 15, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Where is the “Golden Child”? Didn’t he promise a new era of political cleanliness?
He should be able to go out there and clean this mess up no problem! These are his friends and acquaintances aren’t they?
Unless, that is, he was really a fraud all along. This guys term as President is going to be the worst in the history of the U.S.
Joe Pyne on December 15, 2008 at 1:50 AM
the seat must remain empty til the mahdi comes, cause who could even hope to follow in the shoes of the fisherman from Chicago Illinois? Abandon hope all ye who would seek to enter the Senate from there.
eaglewingz08 on December 15, 2008 at 7:35 AM
Ah, but Democrats believe that constitutions are “living” documents that can be interpreted to mean whatever they want them to mean, regardless of the actual words in the document. So if they can find a constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution (that nowhere mentions any such right or even anything remotely like it), they can certainly find a right to a special election in the Illinois constitution.
AZCoyote on December 15, 2008 at 7:38 AM
Hell, if that’s the case, we in New York don’t deserve ANY senators. LOL.
Jarhead68 on December 15, 2008 at 8:36 AM
*I* (drum roll please) have the perfect solution (another, more sustained drum roll). Give the Illinois senate seat to Al Franken so he will stop with the whining about Coleman beating him.
Or maybe we could have the seat feature the political criminal of the month: I vote William Freezer Jefferson for January. I think Sandy Burger would make a good Feb. pic.
katablog.com on December 15, 2008 at 9:25 AM
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