Burris' lawyer: proposed special election to oust Burris illegal

February 27, 2009

Sen Burris' lawyer, Timothy Wright III's letter to Lisa Madigan re: her 2-25 letter recommend a special election earlier than the end of barry's-Burris' senate term. He cites case law that says a congressional election can only take place the Tuesday after the first Monday in even numbered years. They cannot get rid of him from the available info. The Senate Ethics Committee didn't even do anything it Sen Vitter, who was the first member of Congress outed by the DC Madame's black book. Wright also mentions that it would cost $50M.

Lisa Madigan wants special election to oust Burris

February 25, 2009

Illinois Attorney General and once barry senate seat replacement hopeful, Lisa Madigan, wants to get rid of Sen Burris by passing a law to allow an early special election before the term ends. She drafted an opinion to lay out an argument. There would be no problem with the new governor's signature.

None of this would be happening if they had agreed to a special election in the first place. Blagojevich had agreed to it. Dick & Harry said they weren't going to seat anyone and they caved to barry's wishes. It's their fault. And it is impossible to believe that either of them would resign or in Durbin's case never accepted the appointment. Rep Jan Schakowsky likes to speak out against Burrs - she just neglects to mention she wants the seat.

From Sun Times' LYNN SWEET:

Release from Madigan.....

As the General Assembly considers bills to address the process for filling a vacancy in the U.S. Senate, the Attorney General has received inquiries specifically asking whether the legislature can constitutionally pass a law that changes the date of the next election for the U.S. Senate.

The Attorney General is releasing the following statement:

"It is my opinion that the legislature may pass a law allowing the people of Illinois to elect a U.S. senator to fill the seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Such a law would be consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The 17th Amendment expresses a clear preference for having the people of a state elect their U.S. senators. In keeping with the purpose of this amendment, the legislature may constitutionally change the current law to set an earlier date for the election to this U.S. senate seat. I am providing this opinion to offer guidance to the legislature as they consider this issue."

Sen Burris: "I have nothing to hide"

February 17, 2009

Not sure where these posts go to. I have 5 or 6 on Burris that have disappeared. This was when Burris first made the rounds - his “listening tour”. He would have been better off staying out of the news - his defensiveness and poor speaking style did him no favors. He might have not have engaged in pay to be a Senator, but he evaded the issue and that was a taint - law or no law.

Transcript of Sen Burris’ comments in Peoria today. Emphasis added.

SENATOR ROLAND BURRIS:

Members of the press, I will have a prepared text, and I will not be responding to questions.

I have made an effort to be as transparent as I can, and I’m willing to take a further step as I have nothing to hide.

I welcome the opportunity to go before any and all investigative bodies, including those referred by Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan and the Senate Ethics Committee to answer any questions they have.

In fact, earlier today, one of my advisers placed a call to the Sangamon County State’s Atty. John Schmidt in an attempt to inform them that I welcome the opportunity to meet with him to review the facts in this matter and provide (a) full and complete account of my actions, statements and contacts.

I look forward to sitting down with the federal officials and addressing this with them, and I support having any other body or agency look into my testimony, as it was truthful and consistent.

There were never any inappropriate conversations between me and anyone else.

[Inappropriate operative word. And it was inappropriate of him not to reveal the conversations he did have. It was the point of his testimony.]

And I will answer any and all questions to get that point across to keep my faith with the citizens of Illinois.

We are working on a concise document that will be provided to the public later this week.

Thank you very much, and God bless each and every one of you all in the media.

blago impeachment announcement (video)

January 29, 2009

Video of the pre-ordained, pre-negotiated vote. 59-0 to impeach. Commentary in a different post. They went one further and made sure (59-0) that he can never hold office in Illinois - and by stipulation by The Constitution - no other state. Though as the President of the Senate and blago's nemesis, John Cullerton pointed out, Blago "can still run for president [and VP] of the United States as he speculated." Well, barry got their tainted by the same man who has tainted blago - Tony Rezko - and without the executive experience blago already has.

Now having been "convicted" of impeachment, I move to prevent Rod R Blagojevich (he has no legal middle name - legally he's Milorad Blagojevich) be disqualified from holding any future public office of this state.

AP

While you watch ex Lt Gov Pat Quinn get sworn in, recall his many vehement assurances that Gov Blagojevich will be impeached, and then ask yourselves whether he should have recognized a conflict of interest in that blago's impeachment would lead to his personal gain and political gain: a pay raise, a security detail, a governor's mansion and notoriety of having succeeded the first governor ever impeached in the State of Illinois.

And while you're at it, recall that Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, whose father, House Majority Leader Micheal Madigan, made possible her election, absolutely hates blago. Recall also that she made known in no uncertain terms that she wanted barry's senate seat. Now imagine her ire when she realized she was never in the running?

What say you?

Fair trial?

Ask yourselves one thing: would you think it fair to be summarily fired, without any tangible legal proof, that you stole from the company for which you worked just because you were caught on (not yet proven to be legally obtained) tapes discussing your plans in profane language, and in so doing pist off your coworkers because you dared to embarrass your messiah of a coworker on track to be CEO and thus in a position to grant them future favors?

And if those tapes had nothing to do with why you were fired in the first place but were used anyway to embarrass and shame you in the court of public opinion guaranteeing a jaundiced jury when (if ever) you go to trial?

Who among you would not take your case to the media?

Now get real and see it for what it was.

IL Dems on blago's media blitz

January 28, 2009

Illinois State Democrats got together for their annual Rainbow/PUSH breakfast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. I wonder what Rev Jackson is thinking about all this. He was out there helping blago the day before blago was arrested. Here are some comments from Gov Blagojevich's fellow politicians. Listen to their tone. What is really making them angry? Why did they allow him to be re-elected in 2006 if he was such an evil delusional devil? The onus reflects clearly on them and that's what The People of Illinois should hold them accountable.

Quotes complied from article by NBC 5 Chicago's Dick Johnson, Kim Vatis, Peggy Cassidy. I don't know if Durbin intended to mention that he discussed the senate seat with blago or if it just slipped out. Was he caught on tape too? And what exactly did Harry Reid say? And what did barry say to make them change their minds? Was barry beat by Bobby Rush yet again?

SEN DICK DURBIN (Sr Senator from IL):

When I talked to him, we went through a list of about 20 names and talked about who might be a good person and who might not. Oprah was not on the list ... not on my list.

LT GOV PAT QUINN (blago's running mate and soon to be replacement)

He has an infinite capacity for self pity and self absorption and I think the people of Illinois are ready to put an end to it.

FORMER LT GOV JUDY BARR TOPINKA (lost to Blago):

He lives in a delusional cocoon of his own. Illinois look like a bunch of buffoons. [He is] BS-ing his way through life to get one possible juror to think they're not really sure. It's not Gandhi or King. But Huey Long, former governor of Louisiana. Long left office in disgrace.

ROLAND BURRIS (barry's senate replacement - lost to blago):

The Governor has to make his own decisions. The system must work its way out and if he's guilty then he must pay the punishment for that. I am not siding with him in any circumstances.

He also said that Obama would not be president without Martin Luther King or Roland Burris. True.

SEN JOHN CULLERTON (Pres IL Senate)

It's too bad [Illinois] is viewed as the laughing stock of nation. We should be celebrating [that] a former colleague is now president.

They all fail to mention their role in it - especially Cullerton. He has his own special vendetta with Milorad as does Lisa Madigan and her Speaker of the House father - all of which has escaped the national media. And how did she get her job?

IL Atty Gen Lisa Madigan on blago's impeachment

January 27, 2009

Lisa Madigan's comments to reporters from the Chicago Tribune's Clout Street, MONIQUE GARCIA.

How is a dramatic early morning staged for national media arrest followed by a Lincoln would roll over in his grave press conference and release of audiotapes that have nothing to do with the impeachment getting a fair trial?

LISA MADIGAN: The governor is making a mockery of the law, he’s making a mockery of the constitution. The whole concept of impeachment has been enshrined in not just Illinois law, but in federal law, from the beginning of our country. It’s talked about in the Federalist Papers, and so for him to claim he’s not going to get any kind of a fair trial and fair process is absolutely absurd.

He’s choosing to not participate, that’s something completely different than not availing yourself of a process and so in some ways, it’s almost admitting that he has nothing to say in his defense, despite what he’s saying on all these talk shows.

We can’t move our state forward at this point until Gov. Blagojevich is out of office and we have a new governor. I look forward to that day and hope it takes place this week.

She's been looking forward to that day for a long time just like everyone else but she said nothing before he was reelected. She's pist she didn't get the senate seat. They all have their own axe to grind and their won personal agendas. On top of that he pulled a fast one with Burris and has brought unwelcome attention to Chicago politics that has always been and will always be how Chicago operates.

OLBERMANN: "Meanwhile a clean Illinois politician" talking about barry. And MARGARET CARLSON: "he hasn't been on the wrong side of the bet in the last two years" and then she actually said that the obama's are the "most famous first family".

Why?

Quote of the day: "I am the magic man!"

January 2, 2009

Roland Burris getting attacked by the Chicago press. Lisa Madigan tried to pull a fast one to make him testify on the same day as day one in the Senate.

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Courtesy of NBC 5 Chicago

MIKE PARKER CBS 2 (off camera): You've been subpoenaed to appear before the House impeachment committee.

BURRIS: We're handling that as well.

PARKER: How are you going to do that as well?

BURRIS: Well, I am, I am the magic man!

PARKER: Are you planning to travel to Springfield?

BURRIS: On Thursday.

PARKER: On Thursday?

BURRIS: Thursday.

PARKER: But not on Wednesday?

BURRIS: I'm a United States Senator. They cannot stop me from doing my senatorial duty.

Burris contributed to blago's campaign

December 30, 2008

Burris does have some connections to blago but nothing significant even for Lisa Madigan or barry's people to attack. Every single person who has done business with the State of Illinois has contributed to blago - otherwise they don't get the business.

SunTimes' DAVE MCKINNEY & CHRIS FUSCO

Burris, his lobbying firm, his clients and a law firm that includes him donated $127,986 to Blagojevich since the governor took office. Burris himself gave $4,500 to the governor, including $1,000 last June. His lobbying firm, Burris & Lebed Consulting, gave $10,796 in cash and services. The law firm with which Burris is affiliated kicked in $5,000 for the governor. Burris' consulting firm has gotten $294,546.30 in state contracts under Blagojevich.

Burris' lobbying clients -- which were under contract with the state for $3.09 million while he represented them -- contributed $107,690 for the governor.

Evidently Blago asked Danny Davis first and he declined. He had said that on TV as well.

Burris said Blagojevich contacted him about the seat on Sunday night. But Burris apparently wasn't the governor's first choice. One of the governor's criminal defense lawyers, Sam Adam Jr., approached Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) about the seat on Christmas Eve, Davis said. Davis turned down the job on Friday.

barry's statement on Burris' appointment

December 30, 2008

barry comments on Mr Burris' appointment:

BARRY: Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the 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. The best resolution would be for the governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession.

Guess what barry? Burris has been legally appointed whether you and your buds who were also busted and there is nothing you, Madigan, Quinn, Reid, Durbin or anyone else can do about it. blago said eff you right to your face in front of the nation. He out Chicagoed all of you and somewhere Boss Daley is chuckling his head off.

Blagojevich names Roland Burris to replace barry

December 30, 2008

Blagojevich named former Illinois Comptroller (1983-91) and former Attorney General (1991-95) Roland Burris [or as Lee Cowan says "Ronald" Burris] to replace barry. He was the first black man to hold state office and is a product of the Daley Machine like Emil Jones. He lost bids for mayor, US senator and governor (against blag) and comes from downstate - not Chicago. I haven't heard about him in years - not even in association to blagojevich. barry probably doesn't even know him personally. Probably a good thing for Burris or he'd be under a bus with all of the other black leaders barry's tossed aside. I wonder if Burris ponied up and gave blagojevich something. Maybe there's an old debt from when blagojevich transitioned into governor in 2002. Burris supposedly expressed interest in replacing barry but he wasn't on the general radar.

In fact Burris talked to Channel 2 about Att Gen Lisa Madigan's press conference on 12-13

BURRIS: I certainly applaud her actions. Illinois is too important to its 18 million citizens to have a chief executive who is now incapacitated. The evidence that's been presented is pretty appalling, should that come out to be the case of what our governor is attempting to do.

Burris's consulting firm donated $20K to blagojevich's last run. He was appointed as interim Charmain of the State Commission Pensions and his consulting firm was awarded a $150K state contract to advise disadvantaged businesses on how to win state contracts. Interesting job, isn't it?

Evidently Rep Danny Davis was approached about the job last week but he turned it down. He had previously been interviewed on camera saying he wasn't approached nor did he want it.

Chuckie T said the Senate won't seat anyone appointed by blagojevich. Problem being it is a proper legal appointment and Burris would be the third black senator from Illinois and that alone is going to meet with some form of opposition. Blagojevich is no dummy. There are still some old timers pist about what barry did to Rev Wright and Jackson without whom he would not be poised to enter the White House.

Just a reminder - blagojevich hasn't been found guilty on anything. Irritating to barry and barryfans everywhere, yes. But he is innocent until proven otherwise. I hope some day people will see this for what it is. A rush to judgment to get blagojevich out of the way. They've been trying to get rid of him for a couple of years. Nothing he has done is new or outlandish in Chicago politics. The idiocy was being caught on tape. And ask yourself why the tapes were released right away? Especially the ones including his wife?

Ask yourself why Fitzgerald, who has been investigating blagojevich for years, made the sudden decision to arrest blagojevich? There is only one conclusion. Blagojevich wasn't about to close a deal - barry's people were about to implicate themselves in an attempt and Fitzgerald no way wanted that. Why else wouldn't he wait until money changed hands to catch him in the act? Especially when the investigation has been going on so long and they had yet put together the smoking gun.

It defies logic, folks. As does barry saying he never talked to the governor. He would have been completely irresponsible not to. Just crazy as his trying to make us believe he never did. And just as crazy as trying to make us believe he "volunteered" to talk to Fitzgerald for the "sake of transparency". Fitzgerald was the one who put barry's name on the Rezko indictment.

What is it going to take?

Madigan: taxpayers not going to pay for blagojevich defense

December 22, 2008

But we sure are for their case against him. Blagojevich is strapped for cash so he had his lawyer, Edward Genson (who defended R. Kelly) petition for taxpayer funded defense for blago in his criminal trial and possible impeachment. The logic being Lisa Madigan as Illinois' chief law enforcement officer, has a duty to represent the governor. But she can't exactly do so after she went to the IL Supreme Court to declare him unfit. So does she have an obligation to defend him? If so, then she cannot and therefore the state should pay for Blagojevich's defense. Evidently his $3.6M campaign funds are about to be frozen by Fitzgerald and he can't exactly go out and ask for more. And Rezko is sitting in solitary unable to raise or direct money to him. I suppose he could sell his house to the highest bidder.

So many interesting twists to this story and the election in general. I had no politics was like this or the media. How long have people put up with propaganda?

Chicago SunTimes DAVID MCKINNEY:

State law requires the attorney general "defend all actions and proceedings against any state officer, in his official capacity, in any of the courts of this state or the United States."

But [Anne] Spillane [Madigan's Chief of Staff ] noted that ongoing impeachment proceedings don't constitute an action in "court," as the law lays out. Nor is the House's inquiry related to Blagojevich in his "official capacity".

"A suit is against a state official in his official capacity when the state, not the individual, is the 'real party in interest.' That is not the case in impeachment proceedings".

That provision of the law, she said, "therefore cannot entitle the governor to legal representation at the State's expense in the proceedings before the House of Representatives.

GENSON: "As a sitting governor he is entitled to be represented by the attorney general. He happens to have an attorney general who files things against him, so that's not appropriate. We can't very well ask her to defend him for this. And if he has an obligation to be defended by her, I felt that they should pay -- they being the state of Illinois.

He said previous he took the case because "he takes cases that are fun". He clearly knew he wasn't going to get paid by the taxpayers or blagojevich...not that he needs it.

And the next twist?

Patrick Fitzgerald confirms he asked barry to delay release of contacts

December 20, 2008

Patrick Fitzgerald confirms he asked barry to delay release of contacts

Relevant Blagojevich documents

12-15-08
Relevant Blagojevich documents

BLAG: "I think you should all have a great holiday season!"

December 14, 2008

BLAG: "I just think you should have a great holiday season!"

Democrats respond to Blagojevich

Funny thing - I haven't seen Senator Clinton's statement and she grew up in Chicago and reportedly proved voter fraud in the 1960 Nixon-Kennedy election. Mayor Daley Sr won the election for Kennedy by delivering Illinois. Jr has been following in kind.

12-9 BARRY in initial (no) comment on arrest:

I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US Attorneys office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it will be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time.

12-9 Lt Gov PAT QUINN: called on Gov. Blagojevich today to “do the right thing and step aside.”

I hope he does the appropriate thing for Illinois.

12-9 Speaker of the House MICHEAL MADIGAN refused to comment.

12-9 Rep JOHN FRITCHEY:

There is no doubt these allegations create a sense of immediacy for the House to take a look at beginning impeachment proceedings...I believe we need to act sooner rather than later.

12-10 SENATOR DICK DURBIN, (D-IL)

I am writing to ask you to step down as Governor of Illinois. Beyond guilt or innocence, the charges against you raise serious questions about your ability to carry out your duties as chief executive of our state.

I also ask you not to appoint the next United States Senator from Illinois. Because of the nature of the charges against you, no matter whom you were to select, that individual would be under a cloud of suspicion. That would not serve our state, our nation, or the United States Senate.

Legislative efforts to impeach you or remove your ability to appoint the replacement for the United States Senate have been initiated but those options could take some time accomplish. I urge you to choose the path that will be the most beneficial for the people of Illinois and the nation, and resign immediately

12-10 MAYOR DALEY:

He has to figure out what's best for him and his family and the state of Illinois. He will have to do the right thing.

12-11 BARRY press conference:

I’ve asked my team to gather the facts of any contacts with the governor’s office about this vacancy so that we can share them with you over the next few days. [Seen them yet?]

I to see is a quick resolution of this issue. I want to make sure that the next senator from the state of Illinois is carrying a forward tradition of service, that the next senator from Illinois is not tainted by what has taken place so far.

12-11 HOWARD DEAN:

The arrest of and complaint against Gov. Blagojevich raises serious concerns about his ability to effectively represent the people of Illinois. In the interest of the people of Illinois and all Americans, he should resign immediately. If he does not, I hope the Illinois legislature will take action.

12-12 ABNER MIKVA, former congressman, appeals court judge and political mentor of barry:

Obama saw this coming, and he was very cautious about not having dealings with the governor for quite some time. The governor was perhaps the only American public officeholder who didn't speak at the convention, and that wasn't by accident. He's politically poisonous. You don't get through Chicago like Barack Obama did unless you know how to avoid people like that.

12-12 IL Attorney General, LISA MADIGAN. US Senator 1998-2002 and pal of barry's. Her fater Micheal Madigan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has had a major feud with Blagojevich and barry's senator maker and legislation diverter Emil Jones.

We think it is very clear he is incapable of serving. We want to make sure the people of Illinois have a governor who can legitimately fulfill the duties of that office.

12-12 JESSE JACKSON, JR interview with CNN's DON LEMON:

The governor not only cannot perform his functions under the constitution of the state of Illinois - but has clearly violated [he smiles like I'm not alone - he's worse] a number of statutes under out state statutes and potentially federal statutes. And there may be a capacity issue. A capacity as mental capacity - he cannot function under the duress.

12-12 BLAGOJEVICH:

I’ll have a lot to say at the appropriate time.

12-12 Lt Governor PAT QUINN said his selection process for the Senate seat would be transparent. Quinn said it would be "premature" to talk names but said he would "never" appoint himself.

It is an urgent matter. This is an emergency. Illinois is in a crisis.

12-13 MADIGAN: Is seeking for the IL Supreme Court to find him unfit to serve and wants Lt Governor Pat Quinn to take over.

I recognize that this is an extraordinary request, but these are extraordinary circumstances. Gov. Blagojevich can no longer fulfill his official duties with any legitimacy. [Blagojevich is] unable to serve as governor due to disability and should not rightfully continue to hold that office. His ability to provide effective leadership has been eliminated, and the state government is paralyzed.

Rep. Jack Franks (D-IL) said it would set "a dangerous precedent" for the court to remove a governor as proposed by Madigan, who is a likely candidate for governor in 2010. Franks, a fierce Blagojevich critic, said that kind of decision should be left to state lawmakers.

Illinois Supreme Court spokesman JOHN TYBOR would not comment on when the court might act on the motion, saying only that it "will be properly considered."