Republicans launch TV ad calling for special Senate election
As lawmakers descend on the state Capitol today to deal with the fallout from the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Republicans have launched a TV ad campaign to push legislators to hold a special Senate election.
The ad is perhaps the most public effort of a broader campaign to land the GOP a leg-up in the chaos that has ensued sense Blagojevich was charged Tuesday with trying to sell a U.S. Senate seat and state businesses for personal gain.
A special election for the U.S. Senate seat would give Republicans a shot at winning the seat as the campaign is sure to draw national attention and millions of dollars in donations from across the country.
The ad says Blagojevich "embarrassed" Illinois and it attacks Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn for angling to win authority to appointment someone himself to fill out Obama's remaining two years in the Senate.
"The people of Illinois deserve better than another political power grab," the voice-over says as images of Quinn and Blagojevich together flash on the screen.
The 30-second ad, which will run on cable TV across the state, implies Obama supports a special election by invoking a recent quote from him that says, "It belongs to the people of Illinois."
In fact, Obama has not said whether he supports a special election or an appointment from Quinn should Blagojevich step down or be removed from office. Obama has only called on lawmakers to do what is "appropriate," without explanation.
The ad urges watchers to call their legislators.
Republicans are working to get in front of the Blagojevich scandal, having spent years under the cloud of the arrest and conviction of former Gov. George Ryan, a Kankakee GOP stalwart.
The governor's spokesman said Monday that Blagojevich hasn't ruled out signing a bill creating a special election.
The Legislature is to meet this afternoon to consider special election legislation, but lawmakers also were likely to discuss impeaching Blagojevich. The governor, meanwhile, remained defiant and returned to work to sign a tax credit bill after earlier seeing off his wife, Patti, and the couple's two daughters.
Holding a special election would give Republicans a shot at a Senate seat that up until last week was certain to go to a Democrat through an appointment by Blagojevich.
U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican from the northern suburbs, has expressed an interest in running for the seat and has won support from party leaders.
Many lawmakers support a special election, but it remains unclear when or if they might pass legislation providing for one. House Speak Michael Madigan is expected to have an early afternoon news conference to discuss that possibility and his thoughts on moving forward with impeachment proceedings against Blagojevich.
Lawmakers are scheduled to convene in session this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Blagojevich shows no signs of heeding to numerous calls for his resignation. A spokesman has said the governor plans to sign legislation today to extend a tax credit on film production in the state.
And the Illinois Supreme Court has yet to respond to requests for the justices to step in and oust Blagojevich under an obscure rule that has never been implemented. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Michael Madigan's daughter, is behind that effort.