OK, Now who will the senator be from Illinois now?

[Ichingcarpenter]

Pelosi was pushing for Rahm to be Obama's replacement in the Senate. I'm glad that
didn't happen myself. Story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/09/pelosi-pushing-for-rahm-e_n_106051.html


A day after U.S. Sen. Barack Obama ascended to president-elect, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he's "not interested" in appointing himself to fill Obama's seat, but did not expressly rule it out either.

Blagojevich, who under state law has the power to pick a replacement, said Wednesday that senior staff members will begin analyzing the records of people who have expressed interest in the job as well as finding others they think might make a good senator. He declined to say who the staff members are or how many will be involved.

When asked if he would appoint himself, Blagojevich said he's "not interested in the U.S. Senate. I like my job as governor." But when pressed about taking the seat, Blagojevich ignored the question.

Myriad names have been floated in recent months, including Valerie Jarrett, a real estate executive and close Obama adviser, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., whose spokesman stood in the back of the room at Blagojevich's news conference handing out press releases saying Jackson would be "honored and humbled" to replace Obama.

Others mentioned include Democratic Reps. Luis Gutierrez, Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky, as well as Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan, Comptroller Dan Hynes and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who is close to Obama.

Madigan is considered a top rival to Blagojevich, who has also quarreled with Madigan's father, House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Blagojevich heaped praise on nearly every one mentioned, but refused to name any front-runners and said he hadn't even thought about it yet out of fear he would "jinx" Obama. "The process begins today. The thinking begins today. The search . . . begins today," he said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-obama-replacements-06nov06,0,6181407.story

[babylonsister]

1. I really like Jesse Jackson, Jr. I'm hoping he's selected. nt

[beyurslf]

2. Jesse Jackson Jr seems like a good choice.

[prolesunited]

3. Anybody but Blago

I think he'll be indicted soon anyway.

I would like Madigan to be governor and Jackson Jr. or Gutierrez in the Senate.

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. Would Gutierrez be close to Obama's political viewpoint?

I know nothing about him.

[adadem]

4. Tammy Duckworth n/t

[Bobbie47]

5. On my local news

Tammy Duckworth or Jesse Jackson were the names they were talking about.

I'm in S. Illinois but get my news out of St. Louis, Mo.

[BrokenSocialScene]

6. Shakowsky would be awesome

I'd hadn't heard her name mentioned yet. Lisa Madigan is really pissing off Blago and has been in his hair for a while now, he might just get rid of that problem by sending her to Washington.

[Unsane]

7. Pat Quinn (Lt. Gov.)--just say NO to Jesse Jackson Jr.

Jackson is poison statewide. He would not win a reelection.

[demokatgurrl]

8. Just pick someone who can win re-election. n/t

[liberalpragmatist]

9. It should probably be an African-American

There would be no African-Americans in the US Senate without Obama. I think there should be at least one African-American in the Senate. (We do have two black governors: David Paterson (NY) and Deval Patrick (Mass.).)

[Unsane]

12. Why does there HAVE to be? It makes it seem like a meaningless, token quota or something.

I want a replacement who can WIN reelection, whether they're black, white, brown, or friggen purple.

[Jennicut]

11. We need to fill both Illinois and Delaware senate seats.

Is this the first time two senators won as Prez and VP? I guess I will need to google it.

[Ozma]

13. Another question

Who will and how will Rahm Emmanuel's seat be filled in the House? Special Election in Dec?

[EC]

14. Rahm will have to be replaced in the House also..

maybe Tammy for his seat...although I think she should continue in Veteran's affairs..

[Fire_brand]

15. I like Gutierrez, but he wants to be mayor

which won't happen, so I hope he'll put his name forward