U.S. Senate leaders were threatening to use their power to reject the nominee anyway if he did appoint one, so the real news here is that Governor Big Hair won’t even try.
The attorney, Ed Genson, was asked at a news conference after an impeachment hearing in Springfield if Mr. Blagojevich was planning to appoint anyone against the wishes of Democrats across the state and country including Mr. Obama.
“No,” Mr. Genson replied. “(U.S. Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid said that they’re not going to accept anybody he picks. Why would he do that?”
Meanwhile, Illinois Democratic leaders (as I wrote last evening) are rejecting the idea of having a special election to fill the seat. Instead, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will pick a nominee in order to keep the post in Democratic hands. Republicans have responded with state-wide ads urging citizens to contact the “Blagojevich Democrats”.
Via HAH.
by Stephan Tawney on Wed, Dec 17, 2008