All day Blagojevich Post

A post I plan to keep open all day for Blagojevich blogging.
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The AP has Topinka's reaction,

Judy Baar Topinka says she figured it was a matter of "when" instead of "if" Blagojevich would be brought up on charges.

Blagojevich was arrested today on corruption charges that accuse him of trying to benefit financially from his ability to appoint Obama's replacement.

Topinka says the fact that this makes two consecutive Illinois governors in a row brought up on corruption charges makes the state look terrible, and she says it's embarrassing.

She says she isn't gloating about Blagojevich's troubles but believes he should resign.

I suppose the Gov could pick JBT to fill the seat.
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Blagojevich and Obama post-elections meetings. via RBO

Nov 5th per WHQA

Now that Barack Obama will be moving to the White House, his seat in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois will have to be filled.

That's one of Obama's first priorities today.

He's meeting with Governor Rod Blagojevich this afternoon in Chicago to discuss it.

Dec 1st and 2nd per WMBD/WYZZ

The governor will meet Monday and Tuesday Philadelphia with Barack Obama. Their discussion will focus on Illinois' $2 billion deficit and how the Land of Lincoln will manage its 2009 fiscal year.

more from KHQA

Now that Barack Obama will be moving to the White House, his seat in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois will have to be filled.

Obama met with Governor Rod Blagojevich earlier this week to discuss it. Illinois law states that the governor chooses that replacement.

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Email this AM from a friend,

Wonder if we can just appoint Ron Santo to be the Senator
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Marc Aminder's speculation on a special election and Kirk as the GOP's candidate.

3. A special election is called, Blagojevich signs the bill; or he vetoes it, the legislature overrides the veto and a date is set; some Democrats in the state believe that this scenario will benefit Republican Mark Kirk, because Democrats will have a nasty, long, primary season to fight about Blagojevich and who was closest to him. Kirk will probably have a clear field, lots of money, and a very simple change/anti-corruption message.

I hadn't thought about a special election at all, or who the GOP would run in one. Considering the Gov's indictment hardly a black swan event, that's surprizing.
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Uppity Women's Name that Goon: a Blagojevich vs Tony Soprano test.

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Rod resign? I doubt he will and if he's telling himself he shouldn't because there are plenty of other Illinois Pols out there with dirt on the trouser legs from wading in a cesspool, he has a point.

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From a Steve Rauschenberger email,

It is important to step back and think hard about how this affects our efforts to rebuild the Republican Party in Illinois.

For one thing, it shows the need for us to be the party of reform. When former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald courageously selected the out-of-state Patrick Fitzgerald to serve as U.S. Attorney - he was attacked by a bipartisan contingent of Illinois politicians who wanted a "friendly" in-state U.S. Attorney.

Now that Patrick Fitzgerald has arrested, convicted or indicted a host of Republican and Democrat politicians - we now know why they opposed his appointment so strongly.

The arrest of Blagojevich also shows the need for Republican candidates and leaders to broaden their message. For the past several years, they have rested their hopes almost solely on an anti-Blagojevich message.

It hasn't worked.

The Republican Party needs to return to being the party of ideas - championing principles of limited government, individual liberty, free enterprise and traditional values.

I'd like to hear Peter Fitzgerald's thoughts on rebuilding the party. It's going to take more than a return to being a party of ideas which the Illinois GOP has never exactly been.
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Foster's (D IL-14th) statement on the Gov,

“Today is a sad day for the state of Illinois, as the allegations that have been presented against the Governor are appalling. The public trust has been damaged and it is time for the Governor to resign. In this new era of change, it is my sincere hope that individuals at the local, state and federal levels will work to restore the public’s confidence in our government and our elected officials.”

I wonder what Foster thinks has changed?