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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Thursday, March 6, 2008 6:31 PM CST
Speculation grows regarding who may take Obama's Senate seat

By KURT ERICKSON, JG/T-C Springfield Bureau
kurt.erikson@lee.net

SPRINGFIELD — It’s early and a lot could happen before November’s general election, but political observers are buzzing over what might happen if Barack Obama vacates his Illinois Senate seat.

The speculation grew a bit more intense Wednesday when U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton hinted that she and Obama could run together on the Democratic ticket against Republican John McCain.

If Obama were to vacate his post, Illinois law gives Gov. Rod Blagojevich the power to pick a replacement to serve until the next congressional election year.

The governor’s office isn’t talking about the possibility, but that’s not stopping others from throwing out names of possible replacements.

Among them is Blagojevich. Under the rules, he could name himself to the post.

“If he thinks he could do better in Congress, maybe he puts himself in there,” said Chris Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois-Springfield.

Topping the list of other possibilities is Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. From Blagojevich’s political vantage point, sending Madigan to Washington, D.C. could head off a possible 2010 gubernatorial challenge by the daughter of his political nemesis, House Speaker Michael Madigan.

A spokesman for the speaker, who also heads the Democratic Party of Illinois, said there have been no official talks about the potential opening.

“I think that will be a bridge to be crossed if it needs to be crossed,” spokesman Steve Brown said Wednesday.

As for other names being discussed, observers say Blagojevich would most likely choose someone from Chicago’s congressional delegation because the state’s senior senator, Dick Durbin, is considered a downstater.

Among those on the short list are Democratic U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Senate President Emil Jones, D-Chicago, also is a potential pick.

Said Mooney, “It’s certainly something to think about.”

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865

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My Point of View wrote on Mar 7, 2008 7:29 AM:

" Emil Jones would be a really bad idea. What about Dale Righter or Jim Edgar? "

Locke wrote on Mar 7, 2008 10:06 AM:

" Emil Jones would be a great pick. Get him out of here. Let him go to Washington with the other criminals. "

Becky wrote on Mar 7, 2008 11:38 AM:

" There is a petition out now about getting Blaggo recalled. Sounds good to me. I would LOVE to see Glen Poshard as Gov. As far as Righter or Edgar, they are both good men but, unfortunately, they are both Republican. I don't see a Democrat replacing a vacant seat with a Republican. Although, in my view, I don't see much difference between the 2 parties anymore. "

RavenH4 wrote on Mar 7, 2008 3:00 PM:

" Just ask Sen Obama's indicted fund-raiser Tony Rezko for a recommendation. After all, it looks like he was responsible for securing jobs for several members of Sen Obama's staff. "

br549 wrote on Mar 7, 2008 8:18 PM:

" My guess would be anybody from the Coles county courthouse. They seriously are more qualified, because they can make more money than anymone in the entire State of Illinois. Give them a chance !!! They got my vote !!! "