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Illinois Guv to Pick Obama Replacement
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ShareNovember 13, 2008 3:04 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: Now that President-elect Barack Obama has formally submitted his Senate resignation (effective Sunday), Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has broad discretion in coming up with a replacement.
Blagojevich need only pick someone who is a resident of Illinois, is at least 30 years old, and has been a United States citizen for at least nine years.
Illinois allows substitute senators to stay in place until the unexpired term is done, which would be 2010 in the case of Obama who was elected in 2004.
Illinois law does not dictate how quickly Blagojevich must make the pick. The governor has said, however, that he is aiming to do it by the end of the year.
Valerie Jarrett, an Obama adviser and close friend of the family, took herself out of the running to replace him in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.
While Blagojevich wants a senator who agrees with his policy agenda, he has indicated that he will not appoint himself.
"I'm not interested in the U.S. Senate, I like my job as governor," said Blagojevich at a post-election press conference.
The individuals listed below are just some of the names which have circulated as possible Senate replacements:
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr (D-IL)
Illinois Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth
Illinois State Sen. President Emil Jones
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Attorney General Lisa Madigan
Lieutenant Gov. Pat Quinn
November 13, 2008 in Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (29)
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There are plenty of better options than the ones mentioned hopefully he picks someone who reprents more of the state than Chicago. As for picking himself, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!! What a loser!
Posted by: samhiguchi | Nov 13, 2008 3:13:08 PM
Obama wants his and his wives best friend Jarrett.
The lady who goes back to getting michelle a job in City hall way back when. Moved around to job to job and Michelle followed.
*wink* we all Know Chicago and keeping things in that close knit Family.
Posted by: seah | Nov 13, 2008 3:15:10 PM
Veteran Tammy Duckworth is widely respected in Illinois
Posted by: Joe | Nov 13, 2008 3:32:39 PM
How bout Doc McGraham?
Posted by: Dan | Nov 13, 2008 3:33:23 PM
I hope he picks Tammy Duckworth. She has served our Country in Iraq and understands what our Country needs, but especially what our veterans' needs are.
But, I am sure he will pick Emil Jones or someone 'the gov' owes a lot of favors too.
Posted by: Sandi | Nov 13, 2008 3:38:23 PM
Mr T. is still an Illinois resident, isn't he?
Posted by: whybeconservative? | Nov 13, 2008 3:42:22 PM
Tammy Duckworth is very worthy of consideration......and a wonderful choice!
Posted by: Causey | Nov 13, 2008 3:43:33 PM
Thus ends another chapter in career non-events for the fraud-elect
Posted by: CrystalD | Nov 13, 2008 3:44:06 PM
I don't know how they are going to find someone who is ready to step in and vote "Present" on day 1.
Posted by: Hunter | Nov 13, 2008 3:46:36 PM
Not that I have any say in this, but I have to echo support for Tammy Duckworth as a new Senator.
Posted by: Aldon Hynes | Nov 13, 2008 3:46:36 PM
Are you kidding me...Alan Keyes is the reason Obama was a senator......
Posted by: samhiguchi | Nov 13, 2008 3:46:43 PM
How about Mike Ditka now?
Better late than never, Da bears
Posted by: Rob | Nov 13, 2008 3:56:52 PM
I heard Blago will pick Patrick Fitzgerald to get him off his trail.
Is Bill Ayres available? How about Bernardine Dohrn?
Farrakhan would be a good representative of the community, wouldn't he?
He should appoint Mike Ditka to prove he can "reach across the aisle" and stay connected to the people. And in gratitude that Mike didn't run in 2004 and keep us all from this mess we're in now.
Posted by: seanmom | Nov 13, 2008 3:57:09 PM
I heard Joe the Plumber has a brother in Chicago!
Posted by: JoseCanseco | Nov 13, 2008 3:59:34 PM
It don't matter who he picks it is going to be a Democrat and we will still be borrowing $10 billion to bail us out of their habits. I just hope Obama doesn't do the same thing to the entire country.
Posted by: Illinois | Nov 13, 2008 3:59:49 PM
Jimmy Carter will be jumping up and down after 2 years of Obama because he will no longer be known as the worst President.
Posted by: Illinois | Nov 13, 2008 4:08:22 PM
Governor does not have a "u" in it, ABC.
Anyway, three cheers for the most useless senator ever--old Present. I'm surprised he was able to vote present at all since he was campaigning most of his term. What a loser.
Posted by: Bob | Nov 13, 2008 4:08:38 PM
Blago should appoint a Republican, just to PO the state Dems who have been dissing him the last few years.
It's not like he's going to have a chance of winning relection again.
Posted by: hermie | Nov 13, 2008 4:17:31 PM
Way to go, Mr. O. In your first news conference as president-elect you called upon Congress to immediately deal with the country's financial mess (meaning, before your inauguration). Now you are removing yourself from any responsibility to participate in that process. A fitting end to your practically invisible Senate career. Perhaps (a hoped-for) Sen. Duckworth will actually accomplish something during her tenure, unlike her predecessor.
Posted by: Kurious | Nov 13, 2008 4:45:21 PM
I think he, Hillary, McCain and others should all have resigned when they announced their candidacy for President. They stayed on the road for two years while mostly ignoring their responsibilities as Sentors, yet they still took their pay and benefits. What other job allows you to do that?
Posted by: FedUpToTheMax | Nov 13, 2008 4:55:28 PM
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