The Bleep Democracy Dems

UPDATE: 66% of Illinois voters across party lines are in favor of a special election. President-Elect Obama ducked the question at his news conference. Obama mentor and Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, another tainted friend of Blago. More reaction below***GOP Statement:

Joint Statement from Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross and Illinois Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno

"Democrats in the General Assembly – led by Blagojevich campaign co-chairmen Mike Madigan and Emil Jones – have thwarted the will of Illinois citizens, skipping town without addressing special election legislation and refusing to strip Rod Blagojevich of his appointment powers.

"For all the Democrats' talk last week about good government, it appears that their promise to voters to pass a special election bill was about as sincere as Rod Blagojevich's campaign promise to clean up state government.

"This is exactly why voters have lost confidence in state government. Nakedly partisan power plays and brazen disregard for the will of Illinois voters – those are the hallmarks of the Rod Blagojevich era, and that's the sordid legacy Blagojevich Democrats in the House and Senate perpetuated in the last 24 hours. It's disappointing – but unfortunately – not surprising.

"Before legislators came back to Springfield, the leaders of all four legislative caucuses agreed on language for a special election bill. Republicans in the House last night attempted to introduce this legislation, only to be shot down on a party-line vote. Republicans in the Senate today tried to introduce the same bill, but the Democrats again rejected it on a party-line vote.

"Moving forward, we will redouble our efforts to allow the voice of all Illinoisans to be heard in a special election so that the potential taint of an appointment by Blagojevich or his lieutenant can be prevented."

The bleep Democracy Dems of Illinois.

UPDATE: RNC CHAIRMAN STATEMENT ON NEED FOR ILLINOIS SPECIAL ELECTION

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released the following statement today.

“We agree with President-elect Barack Obama that his Senate seat belongs to the people of Illinois. It’s appalling that House Speaker Madigan and Senate President Jones are continuing this embarrassment for Illinois with their backroom politics and lack of leadership. The only way the people’s voice will be heard and Illinois can end the taint of the Blagojevich scandal is to have a special election.”