Blagojevich Could Still Appoint Obama's Successor

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: In The News

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, tasked with appointing someone to Barack Obama's Senate seat, allegedly had this to say about that task in a taped conversation: "I've got this thing and it's [expletive] golden."

(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

And despite the fact that he has been charged with massive corruption, not least in his search for Obama's successor – he allegedly said "I want to make money" and "I'm just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing" – Blagojevich still, it seems, has that power.

As the Associated Press reports, Blagojevich can still legally appoint someone to fill Obama's seat, since he remains the sitting governor of the state. And while it might be hard for the embattled governor to find someone to take the now-tainted appointment, he could always, were he feeling particularly cheeky, appoint himself.

State lawmakers are looking to pass a bill calling a special election to fill the seat, but, as the Chicago Tribune reports, such legislation might not be legal. And besides, Blagojevich could simply veto it. Nonetheless, lawmakers are looking to pass legislation stripping the governor of his appointment power early next week.

One avenue that would solve this problem would be to impeach the governor should he refuse to step down soon - a move that has growing support in the state.

While Blagojevich may have lost nearly all his political capital, he didn't have much even before the scandal broke: Tribune polling back in October put the governor's job approval rating at just 13 percent, "the lowest ratings from voters we've ever seen after three decades of conducting polls."

And the respondents were nothing if not prescient. Just eight percent said Blagojevich had "kept his promise to do away with state political corruption after succeeding George Ryan as Governor in 2002."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by us_1776 December 11, 2008 12:40 PM EST: Blago is the epitome of political corruption. Illinois, you can do better.

Blago stands zero chance of successfully appointing anyone to fill the US Senate seat. The Senate will not seat anyone that he would try to appoint.

Blago needs to resign immediately.; Reply to this comment


by reaganitegop December 11, 2008 11:59 AM EST: WHY did Obama lie about discussing the seat with Blagojevich?

WHO from Team Obama offered Blago a corporate BOD position for his wife?

HOW OFTEN was Emanuel in touch with Blago''s people?

WHAT did they mean on the FBI wiretap when Blago''s advisers said Obama had to "suck it up" for the next couple years? Temporarily refrain from cheating, bribing, and stealing Chicago-style?

And, Blago''s (convicted) bagman was Rezko... you know, the guy that helped Barack buy that nice house? And raised tons of money for both Barack and Blago?

Wake up, pollyanna Obamaphiles... the dream is over already. When reality hits, it hits hard... especially when suppressed for so long.

I guess you won''t be getting that Senate seat now either, Chris Matthews- should have just bought this one from Hot Rod when you had the chance, LOL

Let the truth be told... the de-programming of the Obama Cult is desperately needed, and seriously overdue.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/; Reply to this comment


by vitterdidder December 11, 2008 1:10 AM EST: Oh for Pete''s sake, he has been a pretty good governor, give him credit, wouldja? So he made a few mistakes, who doesn''t? I love that boy like a son. Signed, his dad.; Reply to this comment


by downsteamjim December 10, 2008 10:30 PM EST: Why did U.S. Attorney General Fitzgerald stop ''a political corruption crime spree'' before we got all the answers? Can you imagine the FBI ending an undercover investigation so that we can''t find who else is involved.; Reply to this comment


by chicagorail9 December 10, 2008 9:21 PM EST: See how close together his eyes are ? Just like a Doberman Pinscer dog - small braincase and squeezed brain equals degenerated brain power.

This type of cranial anomaly is common with the lowland Serbians from which Blago sprung. These lowlife mopes have short fingers, big foreheads, squinty eyes, and morals that make alleycats look like Saints of the Church.

We citizens of Illinois that put this short-fingered Vulgarian into office because he was a Democrat have got to rethink our voting patterns.

There is a need to groom some of Rich Daley''s good looking Irish children for office soon, as Richie''s own generation is getting pretty long in the tooth.

But no more ignorant bush-dwelling Serbians.

They belong in the dirtiest of jobs for the railroads, wiping grease off wheels and the like.; Reply to this comment


by babooph December 10, 2008 6:03 PM EST: Great that the legal system is used for this-we need a LOT more of this!; Reply to this comment


by dburfears December 10, 2008 5:58 PM EST: Beware of posters on CBS who indict people because of where they come from.; Reply to this comment