Illinois

If they were able to find out this much about Burris without even trying, think of what they'll get once they start making an effort.

Gov. Pat Quinn: "The ordeal is over".

One of the most frustrating things about Blagojevich's tenure as governor was just how little got done in Springfield. You'd think with Democratic majorities in the legislature and a Democratic governor, we'd be able to advance a progressive agenda a bit further. Instead what we got was constant bickering and stalemate.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Illinois Senate votes to remove Gov. Blagojevich from office.

Is Senator Dick Durbin hitting the brakes on Burris? Here's part of his remarks from a press conference courtesy of Progress Illinois:

"At this point, we've clearly reached an impasse. The Illinois Supreme Court has said, 'Our state has done all it needs to do under its statutes and constitution to fill the vacancy. We're not going to do anything, nor require any officer of the state to do more.' The Senate rules say, 'More needs to be done.'

Let's say someone robs a bank and right before he gets nabbed by the police, he hands over the loot to one of those Salvation Army bell-ringers.

Are we going to spend much time dwelling on the probity of the bell-ringer -- much less, let him hold on to the money?

Well, I guess it'd be an understatement if I said things look messy at the moment.

Unfortunately we have to clean up after the elephants -- not after they've left but while they're still here making a mess.

It's hard to imagine the outcome at the moment but within weeks, Blago is going to be impeached. There is not a vote in the Illinois State Legislature that won't be against him. This current attempt at nominating a Senator will die a natural death as the chief promulgator is no longer in office.

Alexi makes the cut:

Illinois SOS Jesse White:

As I have previously stated publicly, I cannot co-sign a document that certifies any appointment by Rod Blagojevich for the vacant United State Senate seat from Illiois.

Although I have respect for former Attorney General Roland Burris, because of the current cloud of controversy surrounding the Governor, I cannot accept the document.

[h/t TheCapitolFaxBlog]

Add me to the thumbs-down column on calling a special election for U.S. Senator. We have an approved-upon method of replacing a senator and suddenly we're going to throw that out and do something completely different? That seems like bad policy to me.

I love the Gray Lady and wish we had the equivalent here but I really have to wonder what they were smoking when they published the article titled, "Obama's Effort on Ethics Bill Had Role in Governor’s Fall" that began this way: