Ill. House likely to approve recall amendment

Twice now, Chicago Democrat Rod Blagojevich snookered voters that he was the best choice to run the nation's fifth-most populous state.

People have smartened up here, and Blagojevich, for a variety of reasons--his oh-so-close ties to Tony Rezko being one of them--has approval ratings lower than even President Bush. Keep in mind we're talking about Illinois, a heavily Democratic state.

Today the Illinois House took a big first step to pass a bill that would be the first step in amending the state constitution so constitutional officers, governor, attorney general and others, as well as state legislators--could be recalled. House members voted 80-25 in favor in a preliminary vote.

The next step, assuming the House passes the bill in a final vote, is for the Illinois State Senate to vote on it. Barack Obama's pal, Emil Jones (D-Chicago), reigns there, and he's an ally of Blagojevich. The Speaker of the Illinois House is Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).

Oh, no one is pretenting that this bill is not aimed at the unpopular governor.

If the recall amendment proposal makes it through the upper chamber, then voters can decide the fate of the constitutional change in November.

As for using this as a tool to get rid of Blagojevich, it may not work. Fifteen months later there will be primary election for governor, and it will be hard, in my opinion, to build the momentum--as well as get hundreds of thousands of signatures--for a successful "Dump Blago" drive. Especially if Blagojevich chooses to run for a third term.

Another interesting angle: At one time, it was the plan for Barack Obama to run for governor in 2010 if his presidential bid fails--he's Senate term is up in two years. That was last year when Hillary Clinton the "air of inevitibilty" surrounding her. Unless Obama tanks like Walter Mondale or George McGovern in the presidential general election, I think he'd easily clobber Blagojevich in a primary run.

Technorati tags: Obama politics Barack Obama Illinois Election Democrats Chicago Tony Rezko corruption law legal Blagojevich