As the state turns: The latest in the Blagojevich soap opera
Q. What's going on with Gov. Rod Blagojevich this week?
A. The U.S. attorney general's office will ask a federal judge today for permission to release to the Illinois legislature some audiotapes of the governor, allegedly recording him soliciting bribes in exchange for signing a bill benefiting horse racing. The tapes would likely then be used to impeach Blagojevich.
Q. Can they impeach him without the tapes?
A. Yes, but the alleged criminal offenses are the strongest case against the governor for impeachment. Without the U.S. Attorney giving the legislature a peek at the evidence, the legislature is forced to allege incidents of the governor abusing constitutional responsibilities in spending money, which is not a crime and is less persuasive. But there is some indication the legislature may speed things up. Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan told legislators to be in Springfield Wednesday for a possible impeachment vote.
Q. What about Roland Burris, the man Blagojevich appointed to fill the senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama?
A. Burris has said he'll show up at the U.S. Senate Tuesday, when new senators are being sworn in.
Q. Will he get in the door?
A. He'll get in the building, but he likely won't make it to the Senate floor. Senate staffers say he'll be told that, without an appointment letter certified by the Illinois Secretary of State, his paperwork is incomplete and he cannot have access to the floor.
Q. Who turns him away?
A. Capital police, who report to the Sergeant-at-arms. That post, coincidentally, is held by Terry Gainer, the former head of the Illinois State Police.
Q. What if Blagojevich shows up to argue for Burris' appointment?
A. Blagojevich is not expected to show up, but if he did, he would be admitted to the Senate floor, a privilege all sitting U.S. governors have.
Q. Why didn't the Secretary of State sign the appointment letter?
A. Secretary of State Jesse White refused to sign it, citing criminal charges alleging Blagojevich solicited bribes for the senate appointment. White made clear there he feels there is nothing wrong with Burris, but that he cannot endorse any selection made by Blagojevich.
Q. Doesn't White legally have to sign the letter?
A. Probably. Burris filed suit Wednesday to force White to certify the letter, but White's office has seven days to respond, and there is no indication of how long the Illinois Supreme Court will take in addressing the suit.
Q. What if Burris gets White's signature?
A. Senate staffers say they'll allow Burris to the floor, but he will not be seated as a U.S. Senator. Instead, someone will call for an investigation into Burris' appointment, and his seating will be postponed during the investigation.
Q. What happens then?
A. The U.S. Senate is counting on Blagojevich's impeachment, and the appointment of another Senator by the new governor, Patrick Quinn, before the investigation is complete. The U.S. Senate would most likely then seat that second appointee over Burris, who would then have to sue if he believes the seat is legally his.