Illinois Senate panel nixes latest special-election attempt
Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The clumsy partisan dance continues over whether to hold a special election in Illinois to replace U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, the Democrat who is under fire because he allegedly didn’t come clean about his ties to impeached ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich before Blago appointed Burris to the Senate at the end of December.
A Democrat-controlled Illinois Senate sub-committee this morning killed a Republican bill seeking to set up a special election this year that would replace Burris in the seat (unless he managed to win the special election).
There was some angry debate, along now-familiar lines. Republicans say they’re only concerned about restoring public faith in Illinois government, and that they’re not cynically trying to take advantage of Illinois’ recent trauma to wrest away a Senate seat that they couldn’t win in the last regular election; Democrats say they’re only concerned about the $60-million-plus cost of a special election, and that they’re not just cynically trying to hold onto the seat at all costs no matter how tainted Burris’ appointment was.
It was a 3-2 vote to kill the bill, along partisan lines. (Go figure.) Expect to hear more about this - the Repubs are screaming about it on the House and Senate floor every chance they get, while the ruling Dems are quietly running out the clock - but it looks less likely by the day that the debate will produce anything more than sound and fury.
“…the Repubs are screaming about it…”
Screaming… literally screaming??
Discussing/talking/high-lighting/tub-thumping maybe… but not screaming.
Another slanted report. (Go figure)
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Bob Z:
I can see how you might assume that “screaming” is meant as hyperbole — it would be a rational thing to assume — but, for the record, they do in fact literally scream at times, and specifically over this issue. (I’ve been meaning to post some audio; it’s something to hear.)
As for any alleged slant in this report, I’d point out that both sides are taken to task for the cynicism that has defined this debate.
It’s hardly a surprise the Democrats wouldn’t take hypocrites like GOP Sen. Matt Murphy seriously.
Last week Murphy jumped ship on SB600, a bill that would allow real elections again in the IL GOP. Murphy’s fighting his own Republican voters, joining those corrupt old GOP players who don’t want to lose control of their shrinking piece of the pie.
Attacking the Dems and trying to remove Burris has always just been a distraction for these GOP hypocrites. Meanwhile they’ve been keeping their own Republican voters voiceless in their own party, and telling any lie to do it.
Yet another disaster by the IL GOP. All of their own making.
If the IL GOP was really serious about better democracy, they should have started in their own house. This crew is worthless. It’s hardly a wonder the Democrats keep winning everything.
AS a citizen of Il. it is time for us to move on. We need to clean up our politics in our state. Ex gov. should be going to jail for what he has done and the proceeds from his book go back to the state for all the extra time that wqas spent getting rid of him.
“not trying to wrest away a Senate seat” say the Illinois Republicans. Yea, that’s why those guttless wonders have ceeded the State to the Social Democrats and the Chicago machine. Of course, the Republicans should be screaming (yes) for a special election and for the very purpose of taking back the State. (does anyone really think that public faith is going to be restored by putting another Chicago (read Obama) machine politician in there? Come on Illinois Republicans, get some stones!!
Where was your concern about the urban areas in the past, our streets are full of potholes, and we still have problem with abandoned buildings, and let’s not forget Mckee who seems to get away with owning these abandoned buildings. We know it’s election time here and you’ll say anything to get our vote.
Gosh!!! I almost forgot the line I really choked on: Democrate…only concerned about the $60 million cost….Dog-gone-it I just started laughing so hard I choked again…….$60 million for Democrats is chump-change, pay or play loose change, poll pocket money…..you call it…anthing but \’concern\’