Friday, February 22, 2008

Senator Rod Blagojevich

I raised this question a long time ago: If Barack Obama becomes president, who will be appointed to replace him to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate? Governor Rod Blagojevich would be responsible for picking that replacement. Who should he pick? Eric Zorn has a list of possible choices:

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky
U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel
U.S. Rep. Luis Guitierrez
Ill. Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan
Ill. Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
Ill. Comptroller Dan Hynes
Former Ill. Sen. Carol Ronen
Dan Seals
Tammy Duckworth
Ill. Rep. Jay Hoffman (D.-Collinsville)
Gov. Rod Blagojevich (nothing I see in the law prevents him from appointing himself)


I think that last name is a real possibility, if not a probability. I don’t know, maybe Blagojevich’s gumption does know limits.

I’m not steeped in Illinois Democratic politics so I’m not at all sure who would be the best choice. Gut feelings make me think Dan Hynes, Tammy Duckworth and Lisa Madigan might be good. But then I’m not at all familiar with a few of the names on the list and I’m not really able to come up with other names as I venture into the Rich Miller territory of substantive Illinois politics.

Anyone got any favorites or suggestions for the (probably) next senator from Illinois?

4 comments:

BlogFreeSpringfield said...

I've read, via Rich Miller, that he might name whoever he thinks could provide the biggest challenge during the next gubernatorial primary. But since the list of candidate who could eventually unseat him as the Democrat candidate now includes Hynes, Madigan, Giannoulias, Dave from the 11th Hour, and pretty much anyone else that leans left in this state, I think he'll probably deny the first three people I mentioned and give it to a trusted ally, such as Hoffman.

Anonymous said...

I dont think it will be anyone in State Offices now. Blago hates all of them. I am not sure what Rod's relationship is with Jesse Jackson Jr. but I am sure that Obama will recommend him.

Anonymous said...

rickmonday, it dosen't matter who Obama recomends. Blago won't listen to him. I agree with blogfreespringfield that it could be Hoffman. But I am betting either on himself or they work out a deal with Lisa Madigan and the rest of the players shift around for her seat ie, Hynes to AG and then support Giannoulos later for Sec of State and then his office opens up. No matter what, he will take forever to make this decision just like everything else he does.

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