Open and Transparent?
Senator Durbin said today that his paramount concern in dealing with President-elect Obama’s vacated Senate seat is that the process be “open and transparent”. But the backroom meetings and deals that have ensued in the last three days is anything but “open and transparent”. How did we get to this point?
The Special Election
Durbin himself was the first person to propose the most open and transparent method possible for filling the seat: a special election. Durbin was soon joined in his call for a special elect by:
Elected Officials:
President-Elect Barack Obama
Obama believes the Illinois legislature should consider a special election to fill the seat. (Democrats urge Ill. gov not to make appointment, Associated Press, http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D95023IO3&show_article=1 , 12/10/08)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill)
“The General Assembly should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama. No appointment by this governor could produce a credible replacement," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. (“Senate GOP Sees Hope in Blagojevich Scandal,” Roll Call, 12/9/08)
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who called the charges shocking, said he would soon call his chamber into session to pass a bill to establish a special election to fill the vacancy. (Associated Press, 12/10/08)
State House Speaker Michael Madigan
State House Speaker Michael Madigan said he was prepared to convene the House on Monday for the same purpose. (Associated Press, 12/10/08)
State Senate President-in-waiting John Cullerton
“Before I take office as the President, we should pass legislation changing the law to allow for special election for the replacement of Sen. Obama. And I believe that Sen. Jones will support me in that effort.” (Politicoblogs/bensmith/1208/Illinois_official_float_special_election.html>
“The General Assembly should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama. No appointment by this governor could produce a credible replacement," U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said. (“Senate GOP Sees Hope in Blagojevich Scandal,” Roll Call, 12/9/08)
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones
Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who called the charges shocking, said he would soon call his chamber into session to pass a bill to establish a special election to fill the vacancy. (Associated Press, 12/10/08)
State House Speaker Michael Madigan
State House Speaker Michael Madigan said he was prepared to convene the House on Monday for the same purpose. (Associated Press, 12/10/08)
State Senate President-in-waiting John Cullerton
“Before I take office as the President, we should pass legislation changing the law to allow for special election for the replacement of Sen. Obama. And I believe that Sen. Jones will support me in that effort.” (Politico
Attorney General Lisa Madigan
She and Mr. Quinn, both Democrats, said they were also working on plans to create a special election to choose the next senator, should the appointment process simply be too tainted by a cloud of suspicion at this point. (Saulny, New York Times12/11/us/politics/11illinois.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Gov.%20Rod%20R.%20Blagojevich%20of%20Illinois%20returned%20to%20work%20here%20&st=cse>
State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton.
“That appeals to me, letting voters decide who the next senator is." (“Leaders seek special election to fill Obama's Senate seat”, Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois), 12/10/2008)
State Representative Jack Franks D-Woodstock
She and Mr. Quinn, both Democrats, said they were also working on plans to create a special election to choose the next senator, should the appointment process simply be too tainted by a cloud of suspicion at this point. (Saulny, New York Times
State Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton.
“That appeals to me, letting voters decide who the next senator is." (“Leaders seek special election to fill Obama's Senate seat”, Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois), 12/10/2008)
State Representative Jack Franks D-Woodstock
Franks says legislation he's drawn up would block a governor from appointing a replacement senator and would call for a special election in February of next year.
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State Representative Bob Rita D-Blue Island
"I would support a special election”
Major Newspapers:
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
The best option is to hold a special election. Return this decision to the people. … So it seems best to approve the legislation for a special election, even if Blagojevich tries to stall it. That will eventually lead to the election of a senator by Illinois citizens, and a law that would guide the state if this situation crops up in the future. The voters might choose well, they might choose poorly. But they wouldn't sell to the highest bidder. (Editorial, Chicago Tribune.com/news/opinion/chi-1211edit2dec11,0,2293693.story> , December 10, 2008)
The Washington Post
“But we also think there may be ways to provide for continuity in crises without slighting democracy at all other times. The people of Illinois deserve to have their voices heard -- through a senator chosen by them at the ballot box.” (Editorial, The Washington Post.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103012.html> , December 12, 2008)
The best option is to hold a special election. Return this decision to the people. … So it seems best to approve the legislation for a special election, even if Blagojevich tries to stall it. That will eventually lead to the election of a senator by Illinois citizens, and a law that would guide the state if this situation crops up in the future. The voters might choose well, they might choose poorly. But they wouldn't sell to the highest bidder. (Editorial, Chicago Tribune
The Washington Post
“But we also think there may be ways to provide for continuity in crises without slighting democracy at all other times. The people of Illinois deserve to have their voices heard -- through a senator chosen by them at the ballot box.” (Editorial, The Washington Post
Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board
“The only scenario worse than Blagojevich's refusing to resign would be his refusing to resign and then selecting our next senator. Fortunately, the state Senate and House look poised to meet, so lawmakers can change the law to select a new senator by special election.” (Editorial, Chicago Sun-Timescommentary/1322544,editorial-blagojevich-charges-121008.article>
Rockford Register Star
A special election is the only way to ensure the seat is given because of merit instead of money. (Editorial, Rockford Register Stararchive/x776479024/He-let-us-down-Blagojevich-should-resign>
Southtown Star
“The move comes as Democrats worry that a Republican could win a special election and Republicans argue only an election will ensure the state's next Senator is untainted by the federal corruption charges against Blagojevich. Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has called for a special election.” (Editorial, Southtown Starnews/1327586,121208impeach.article>
“The only scenario worse than Blagojevich's refusing to resign would be his refusing to resign and then selecting our next senator. Fortunately, the state Senate and House look poised to meet, so lawmakers can change the law to select a new senator by special election.” (Editorial, Chicago Sun-Times
Rockford Register Star
A special election is the only way to ensure the seat is given because of merit instead of money. (Editorial, Rockford Register Star
Southtown Star
“The move comes as Democrats worry that a Republican could win a special election and Republicans argue only an election will ensure the state's next Senator is untainted by the federal corruption charges against Blagojevich. Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has called for a special election.” (Editorial, Southtown Star
GateHouse News Service
“A Senate seat is one of the most powerful and prestigious posts in the world. It should be won through the votes of citizens, not the bribes or connections of politicians.” (Editorial, GateHouse News Service.com/editorials/x4884281/Editorial-A-good-case-for-electing-U-S-senators> , December 11, 2008)
“A Senate seat is one of the most powerful and prestigious posts in the world. It should be won through the votes of citizens, not the bribes or connections of politicians.” (Editorial, GateHouse News Service
And watchdog groups:
Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a nonpartisan public interest group
"I think a special election may well be the best response to a bad situation." (“Leaders seek special election to fill Obama's Senate seat”, Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois), 12/10/2008)
Better Government Association Executive Director Jay Stewart
"The problem is the governor is toxic. Anything he touches is tainted. Are we going to possibly allow the governor to defile this process with his input simply because it would save us some money? If that's what it takes to make sure he doesn't get to select, we have to do it." (“Special election is no simple matter”, Courier-Newssuburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/1325761,3_1_EL11_A1BLAGO_S1.article> , December 11, 2008)
"I think a special election may well be the best response to a bad situation." (“Leaders seek special election to fill Obama's Senate seat”, Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois), 12/10/2008)
Better Government Association Executive Director Jay Stewart
"The problem is the governor is toxic. Anything he touches is tainted. Are we going to possibly allow the governor to defile this process with his input simply because it would save us some money? If that's what it takes to make sure he doesn't get to select, we have to do it." (“Special election is no simple matter”, Courier-News
But once a few days had passed, Democrats in Washington and Springfield realized that if they allowed a special election, they might lose. So they killed it.
Chicago Daily Herald: Legislators Failing to Restore Faith: Senate Democrats, leery of an election in which they could lose a seat to the opposition party, have so held up the process of discussing such an election that the idea appears to be essentially dead on arrival. (December 17, 2008)
Chicago Tribune: Trust the People? Nah: So much for trusting voters. Illinois Democrats want nothing to do with that now…Amid the ugliness of the arrest last week of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the political class in Illinois seemed to share one noble sentiment: The choice of a U.S. Senate successor to Barack Obama should be handed to voters. The choice should not be left to the governor, not in light of the charges that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder… But then Democratic leaders had a revelation: They could lose that election! (December 17, 2008)
Washington Post: About That Special Election; Illinois Democrats have second thoughts about how to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat: When the alleged brazen attempts by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) to auction off a U.S. Senate seat were revealed last week, the leadership of the state legislature made noises about the need for a special election. Press conferences were held. Bills to make such a vote possible were promised. And then -- silence. It had dawned on the Democrats who control the legislature and their fellow Democrats in Washington that they might actually lose a Senate election. So much for letting the people speak. (December 19, 2008)
Democrats are Responsible for the Appointment
Illinois Democrats’ refusal to call a special election made Blagojevich’s appointment possible. On December 30 he appointed Roland Burris to Obama’s vacant seat, citing his duty as Governor to do so, and the state Democrats’ failure to pass a special election law. As with the special election, initially everyone did the right thing and opposed Burris’ appointment:
Barack Obama: “Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat” (Associated Press, Obama: Blagojevich appointee shouldn’t be seated, December 31, 2008)
Harry Reid and Dick Durbin: “It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety…Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus." (Associated Press, Defiant Ill. Governor names Obama replacement, December 31, 2008)
Pat Quinn: “[Burris’ appointment is] an insult to the people of Illinois” (Associated Press, Defiant Ill. Governor names Obama replacement, December 31, 2008)
Lisa Madigan: “By refusing to resign and attempting to make this appointment, the governor leaves Illinois in a terrible situation.” (The Pantagraph, Blagojevich’s troubles cause turmoil, January 1, 2009)
Jesse White: Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, said he would refuse to sign paperwork that Mr. Blagojevich must present to the Senate offering Mr. Burris's appointment. (New York Times, Defiant Governor names successor to Obama, December 31, 2008)
But again, Democrat leaders’ consciences were overridden by political concerns. Faced with days of bad press, Harry Reid and Dick Durbin stopped doing the right thing for the people of Illinois, and started doing the right thing for themselves.
Burris heads into pivotal meeting: The key question now for Reid and Durbin: How do they find cover in a political story that has run amok? One idea being considered is to have Burris win an endorsement from the sitting lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, one Democratic insider said…A Democratic aide familiar with the process said that the idea of urging Quinn to endorse Burris is being seriously considered, and that strategy may emerge depending on the outcome of the meeting. Democrats are also considering urging Burris to not run in 2010 as one condition for their support, aides said. (Politico, January 6, 2009)
Closing in on a deal: If there is an eventual deal, it would be an extraordinary turnabout by Senate Democrats. But the momentum has been growing toward a deal on Burris, as more Democrats were becoming uncomfortable with the situation and Burris seemed to have serious political and legal momentum. No details of the meeting have been released. (Politico, January 7, 2009)
The People of Illinois have had enough of backroom deal making. It is time to bring this out into the open and hold a special election. 52% of all Americans (Gallup, January 6, 2009) and 2/3 of Illinois voters (Rasmussen, December 11, 2008) want a special election. It’s time for Democrats to remember whom they represent, and call a special election.
NOT PAID FOR AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE
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