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<?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/rss.xsl" media="screen"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"><channel><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx</link><description>
From MSNBC's Adam VerdugoIllinois House Speaker Mike Madigan responded today to criticism that he's dragging his feet when it comes to bringing up legislation calling for a special election to replace embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, saying that Democrats</description><dc:language>en-US</dc:language><generator>CommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)</generator><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718576</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:49:56 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718576</guid><dc:creator>Ed, San Antonio</dc:creator><description>Blah, Blah, BLAGO!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Blago this, Blago that.....STOP it MSNBC!&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Blago is doint what Blago does.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Too bad/sad you didn't keep such close tabs on the corrupt Bush/Cheney White House!</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718582</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:51:06 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718582</guid><dc:creator>justwaitandsee</dc:creator><description>Chuck Todd, Mark Whitaker, David Shuster give it up; I am sorry that Obama didn’t answer the question the way you may have liked; a press conference on the new Education Secretary Duncan. You must be really bored to be this fixated on this non-story; what, are you taking up the slack for Morning Joe which he got no where this morning and looked like a complete fool whining about no investigation on Obama, I guess he didn’t get Newt’s Memo to pipe it down.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Find another story like folks.&lt;br&gt;</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718586</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:53:17 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718586</guid><dc:creator>J Harris, Rockford IL</dc:creator><description>In Illinois, the Madigan Klan is just as dirty as the Daley Klan, as the Blagojevich Klan, and the Jesse Jackson Klan. It's just that the feds haven't gotten around to arresting the Madigans yet.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718587</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:53:46 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718587</guid><dc:creator>Kelly (from Pittsburgh)</dc:creator><description>Repubs - stop trying to steal a Dem seat. A special election is bad in many ways: costs too much and will take too much time as well. &amp;nbsp;I predict that the Blago will be given until the end of this year to step down (negotiating time). &amp;nbsp;And if that isn't his intention, he will be impeached ASAP next year (if the Illinois supreme court doesn't do us all a favor and temporarilt suspend his power). &amp;nbsp;Or why doesn't Blago just assign the decision to the Lt. Govenor. &amp;nbsp;That would get the immediacy of his needing to put out to pasture (before given due process) and would give the power to whom would sooner or later get the power to do so.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718591</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:54:57 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718591</guid><dc:creator>Codey Words</dc:creator><description>Today, when asked about the process to select his replacement, President-elect Obama declined to weigh in. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Of course. Those things are done it private. Usually after the room is scanned for bugging devices.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718592</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:55:03 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718592</guid><dc:creator>Diane from Illinois</dc:creator><description>As a voter from Illinois, I am personally going to hold them ALL accountable. Whoever is currently in right now will NOT get my vote in the next election. Blagojevich has been running this scam for some time now and NOBODY stepped up and tried to do anything about it. The games that have been played in Springfield are an embarassment. The people of Illinois deserve better than this.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718596</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:56:52 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718596</guid><dc:creator>Michael</dc:creator><description>&amp;quot;if Democrats in the state house don't take action soon, voters will hold them accountable.&amp;quot;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;So, how many state legislators will seriously be in any jeopardy of losing their seat because they didn't vote for a special election? &amp;nbsp;Seriously, this has to be the most hallow, empty political threat I've seen recently.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718600</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:57:15 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718600</guid><dc:creator>Jesse Toyy, Chicago Illinois</dc:creator><description>We see it in NY and in Illinois. It's all about power for the Democrats. They don't want to chance having an election because the stupid voters might just get it wrong and elect a Republican.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718615</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:05:42 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718615</guid><dc:creator>stephanie, ft. pierce, fl.</dc:creator><description>This is off topic, but please get rid of Contessa Brewer and Michelle Francis. &amp;nbsp;Is this is the best you have to talk about the economy &amp;nbsp;They sound like two fish wives on the dock, talking over each other, and not too bright.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Congrats to Shuster - so much better at 6:00pm, so thanks.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718628</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:12:01 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718628</guid><dc:creator>Rory Storm</dc:creator><description>Keep on dragging your feet. Punishment is a dirty word to most Dem politicians. There's no real such thing as a major crime. They're all venial in stature. </description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718629</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:12:03 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718629</guid><dc:creator>Pirate Law</dc:creator><description>&amp;quot;Speaker Madigan, who was Rod Blagojevich's campaign co-chair, is one of the most powerful elected officials in Illinois,”&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Thieves trying Thieves!!</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718630</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:12:05 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718630</guid><dc:creator>Richard, Washington State</dc:creator><description>Is there no concern over the fact that Democrats elected someone who was a state senator and a U.S. Senator from a state that has as bad or worse ratings than the Bush administration? &amp;nbsp;Especially a really, really blue state?&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;I really, really hope he is underneath it all a maverick.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718635</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:13:48 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718635</guid><dc:creator>Madi Madigan</dc:creator><description>Mike Madigan?! Lisa Madigan?! Related somehow? </description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718636</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:14:27 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718636</guid><dc:creator>A. Capone</dc:creator><description>Why is Illinois run by gangsters?</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718637</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:14:58 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718637</guid><dc:creator>pat huntington ny</dc:creator><description>There go the republicans again...looking to change the rules for their own political gain! &amp;nbsp;Illinois already has a procedure for replacing resigning elected officials - US Senator is picked by Governor, and if Governor resigns, Lt. Gov. replaces him and the replacement picks the US Senator. &amp;nbsp;There is no provision for a special election...republicans are changing the rules once again because they know they can't win by playing with the rules!</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718648</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:20:25 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718648</guid><dc:creator>Connie in Tennessee</dc:creator><description>I think the word is that Illinois does not have the money to hold a special election. &amp;nbsp;Why not have the Leut. Gov. step in until the regular election? &amp;nbsp;If the one with the most votes cannot carry out the duties of the office, shouldn't the person with the second most votes step-in?</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718663</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:28:54 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718663</guid><dc:creator>Mean Mr. Mustard</dc:creator><description>It's nice that the Democratic Party and all Dems want to protect their president-elect Obama. So allow me to protect the current one.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The game is simple. You berate mine and yours gets berated. Hey, it's gonna happen anyway. The media love affair will eventually cease and it looks like Obama already is going backwards in his &amp;quot;boost the economy&amp;quot; thinking.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718666</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:29:27 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718666</guid><dc:creator>S.B. Stein E.B. NJ</dc:creator><description>Given that it costs money to have an election (any election) as well as letting people know when it is and who is running, it isn't a surprise that it hasn't been done yet. &amp;nbsp;Isn't Illinois also in a major amount of debt like most other states? &amp;nbsp;That would be one cost that could be controlled. &amp;nbsp;There is nothing to rule it out and to stop it from happening. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718691</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:44:45 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718691</guid><dc:creator>Michael Furling, LI, NY</dc:creator><description>Vote for Palin as Senator! I just love her.</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718732</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:08:53 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718732</guid><dc:creator>Web Smith, Los Gatos, CA</dc:creator><description>Chuckle. Illinois legislators have had time to consider what might come out about their own dealings. Rod has been their go to man and they don't want any part of this. They all knew what he was doing and they will all be called to testify.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;It's not clear what the Governor actually did except illustrate to the American people how their government actually works. Legislators are sweating bullets all over the land.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;a rel="nofollow" target="_new" href="http://ewebsmith.com/gov/JFKWarning.html"&gt;http://ewebsmith.com/gov/JFKWarning.html&lt;/a&gt;</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718748</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:22:18 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718748</guid><dc:creator>marty,columbia,s.c.</dc:creator><description>Our whole country is on the wrong track, it doesnt seem to make a difference democratic or republican&lt;br&gt;state government. S.C. sucks, All we have are our rich and pro rich representatives. Il. is no different&lt;br&gt;they forget all about the people who vote them in office and go on to become very wealthy and influentiial ( spelling, I know ). I have heard that if you vote and are intrested and are willing to work, things will get better, Iam 62 and Ive never seen it get one bit better.&lt;br&gt;marty</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718766</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:35:37 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718766</guid><dc:creator>Rick, NC</dc:creator><description>Golly gee when did the Republicans start caring about anyone other than bible pounders and the scum on wall street who have wiped out so many Americans?</description></item><item><title>Madigan defends decision on election</title><link>http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/16/1718563.aspx#1718768</link><pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:36:06 GMT</pubDate><guid isPermaLink="false">8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:1718768</guid><dc:creator>Annette, Odessa, MO</dc:creator><description>Tell the Republicans to cough up some money for the special election then. I think they estimated it would cost around $50 million. They should pay at least half if they want to push it so hard and paint the Dems as refusing it like they are. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;No one is refusing it. They are just saying that with the budget shortfall, and with the economy, maybe this isn't the best time to be pushing for one. So...cough up there Repubs....pay your share.</description></item></channel></rss>