I agree with most of what the article said but I disagree about the motives.  A special election would NOT serve the democratic party since there is a moderate republican that would dearly love a run at the senate seat.  He would stand a chance too.  Better to follow the procedure now in progress.  the court to declare Blago unfit for office, allowing Quinn to take over and allowing the state legislature impeachment proceedings which have begun as we speak.  Plus the counties in Illinois are all in dire straits moneywise and would be finacially strapped if they had to hold a special election.  Better to let Quinn make the appointment because the voters in this state feel he is an anomoly in Illinois..an honest politician.

Looks like to me that the Democratic party is more interested in saving a Senate seat for the party than looking out for what is best for Illinois and the country.  Lookin' in from the outside in, looks like same ole politics in Illinois.  If a opposing candidate is more appealing to the Illinois residents, apparently the Democrats in Illinois give a rats-ass.

 

It would seem to me that the residents have the absolute right to decide considering on the conditions brought on by the pending vacancy.  But then, Democrats from anywhere do not suprise me when it comes to establishing their power anyway necessary.

Harold, I hate to burst your bubble here.  but having lived in a very republican county here in Illinois, that is standard procedure.  If a republican in Sangamon County quits, dies or is forced out, you can be sure that no special election will take place.  He will be replaced byt the son, daughter, wife, husband or some other nefarious relative of the republican elite.  that is why we have dynasties here.  the same names, just different faces.  If a republican plans on retiring, he makes sure to do it in the MIDDLE of their term of office, to guarentee a republican appointee who will then become an imcumbant when the election finally comes up.  We have had a county clerk ( a quite powerful office in this area) who was deeply involved in a cocaine ring who was re elected to office and is still there to this date.  His republican cohorts cover his transgressions and that of the republican judge's son and state prosecuter who were also involved.  the only guys who went to prison were the private citizens.  these other guys walked.  Our republican sheriff AND his predecessor were both caught drunk driving.  They served and are still serving there terms of office.  The republican party is so entrenched here that to elect a democrat takes a miracle.  The County board has 3 dems out of the 27 that serve.  Those are recent.  Usually it is just republicans. 

This is to illistrate that this goes on all the time.  State law gives the sitting governor the right to appoint for a vacancy.  Many other states do likewise.  It's not an Illinois thing.  If the republicans were in power and this crap was happening to them, you can be darn sure, there wouldn't be a "special election".  there are republican "machines in Illinois too.  I live in one.