To thwart Blagojevich, Dick Durbin wants a special election for Obama's Senate seat

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Chad Rubel

UPDATE: Current Illinois Senate President Emil Jones (one of Blagojevich's few friends in the state) is calling for a special election to fill Obama's seat.

Sen. Dick Durbin wants one. So does incoming Illinois Senate President John Cullerton. But will they get a special election to replace Barack Obama in the Senate?

"No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement,"  Durbin said today.

But the Illinois Constitution doesn't allow for a special election for Senate seats, just House seats. Ironically, the 5th Congressional District seat, to be vacated by White House Chief of Staff designate Rahm Emanuel, still needs the dates set for a special election. The Illinois Governor determines when that happens. But will that person be Rod Blagojevich or Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn? 

A special election means a Republican could take Obama's seat. Though the Illinois GOP can be described as severely wounded, the backlash against Democrats could unnecessarily stir up the hornet's nest. 

Quinn, in his news conference today, offered two situations already within the Illinois Constitution, that could relieve Blagojevich of the responsibility for picking Obama's replacement. Well, three situations if you count a resignation from Blagojevich (don't count on that).

Quinn said the governor could step aside, and the Lt. Gov. would be Acting Governor. Also, the General Assembly could take steps to take away that decision from the current governor. 

As long as there are provisions within the Illinois Constitution to take away this power from Blagojevich, following that path preserves the integrity of the current situation. Changing or bypassing the Constitution is a radical step that should only be done when absolutely necessary.

Even though they are only allegations, a pick from Blagojevich would be tainted. And in that sense, Durbin and Cullerton are trying to protect the Senate's integrity. But their method of a special election adds an unnecessary hurdle to the process.

The discussion for whether governors should have this kind of power is best set for after we sort out who, and how, the Obama replacement will be picked. And it will be an important discussion.

But the Senate is set to be in session on January 6. There should be someone ready to take the oath of office to be the junior senator from Illinois on or before that date. And the powers that be should do everything within the Constitution to make sure Rod Blagojevich doesn't use that power. If that can't be accomplished, a special election might be the better of bad choices.

Related Coverage:

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BuzzFlash Summary of Criminal Complaints Against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich: Just Staggering Greed -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Master of delusion: IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought he might run for president in 2016 -- A BuzzFlash News Analysis

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Meet Pat Quinn: the man who might pick Barack Obama's Senate replacement -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT

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