Pat Quinn: Illinois' Lieutenant Governor, Future Governor?

Check back for updates. For more up-to-the-minute info on the Blagojevich scandal, check out Huffpost's Rod Blagojevich Big News Page

UPDATE 12/10

President-elect Barack Obama has called on Rod Blagojevich to step down, making it even more likely that Pat Quinn will take over as governor of Illinois.

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Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn received a burst of attention following Monday's arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich in a corruption scandal.

In a press conference called to discuss the charges, Quinn, a Democrat, called for the governor to step aside because he is "seriously impeded from carrying out his oath of office."

"I think that should certainly be considered by the governor today. I think he knows what he needs to do for the people."

Despite campaigning with Blagojevich in 2006, Quinn became an outspoken critic of the governor and said at the news conference that the two had not spoken since 2007.

Last week, after reports that Blagojevich had been taped by the FBI first surfaced, Quinn called for the governor to "level" with people:

"I think the governor has a short period of time to come forward and level with the people of Illinois," Quinn said.

The recent attention has already crashed Pat Quinn's site, standingupforillinois.org. Another Pat Quinn campaign website is still active, though dated.

Ben Smith at the Politico has an interesting insight on the Pat Quinn situation:

Quinn will likely make the choice of who fills Obama's seat. He has a bit of a reputation as a reformer, if not a pure one, but I haven't heard a particularly clear read on what this means about the seat -- Illinois readers, tell me what you think.

A tough time for Democratic governors, in any case: The two biggest states with Democratic governors, New York and Illinois, now both appear likely to be run by the Lieutenants.

Quinn is not to be confused with another Pat Quinn, a former head coach of the Toronto Maple Leaves.

Comments

[lochnessmonster]

I heard a calller this morning on C-SPAN who is a State of Illinois employee. They are dancing in Springfield. I think he suffers from Napoleon Complex.

Blago has spent our state into oblivion. He just closed the state parks and many tourist sites including Abraham Lincoln sites.

Long live Fitzgeralsd and his department.

Merry Fitzmas to all!

[illinoisan]

You bet we ARE dancing in the streets. Blagovejich has bad-mouthed and sh!#-canned Springfield from day one. At first when we heard this in 2002, we assumed he was talking about the legislature and state offices. It soon became clear that he meant the entire community at large.

We were insulted that he refused to take up residence in the Executive Mansion; now we are so glad he didn't.

[GABESTA535]

Wow. Blago must really hold grudges. To not even talk to your lieutenant governor in over a year? I feel bad for Illinois.

[illinoisan]

If memory serves correctly, Pat Quinn created Illinois' Citizens Utility Board, http://www.citizensutilityboard.org/, a citizens group that serves as a voice for utility consumers in the state. It speaks volumes for his reformer bona fides.

[ajax2]

Quinn better ask for Fitz's and Rahmbo's blessing before he takes an oath. These two are playing serious hardball.

[larry278]

No drama Obama may not appreciate the governor's drama. I don't think that Obama will be angry at Rahm Emanuel's part in the governor's drama. The Il criminal justice system is now directing the governor's drama.

[illinoisan]

Others have commented and I concur that if Rahm dropped the dime on Blago, it was done with Obama's blessing. I hope it's true as it speaks well of their integrity.

[gvc]

Emanuel's office denies he was involved.

[Skeptiqone]

hmm...maybe we are onto something here. The Lieutenant governors, like David Patterson, who took over New York, are competent, more brass tacks, and less egomaniacal, than the people that ran for the office. The Blagoevich story is fascinating...he seems so angry and awful. And what he called Barack Obama has earned him millions of enemies for life. Time to resign.

[horsey]

Is Quinn a Democrat?

[Aabby]

yes.

[Cedman]

yes. He has always been a good goverment crusader and was a chief antagonist of Gov Ryan for his corruption when he was Sec. State. Ryan is the former governor who is in the clink.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

I checked him out a Wikipedia. Too bad I had to do that, as it was a very important piece of information that should have led the post about him. How could anybody fail to see the importance of Pat Quinn's political party and to report it for all of us beyond Illinois? A little journalism anyone?

[billbb]

Not necessarily. The lieutenant governor is always of the same party as the governor, just as no one would assume Vice President-Elect Joe Biden was a Republican.

That said, that Quinn is indeed a Democrat is in the second paragraph, second line.

[iwantpie]

Yes, it is stated in the article.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

There are ghosts around here.

[JDJase]

"Pat Quinn is the Lieutenant Governor of Illinois has suddenly received a great deal of attention following this morning's arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich in a corruption scandal."

HuffPo can't form a sentence now?

[mercerino]

I have followed Pat Quinn's career from the start and I have been impressed by his honesty. To see him as governor will be refreshing.
We need a man like Pat Quinn to start to undo the legacy of some really poor leadership in Illinois.
Good government starts at the top and he is the man to start the change we desperately need.

[mrohrbe]

Quinn is honest to the n'th degree and because of his long history of citizen referendums and good government referenda, he doesn't have support of big money, big business, and big contractor interests. In other words, he's had a hard time mounting a succesful campaign for governor or senator in the past, but could be the right man for the time to clean up the state's nasty image. Thus, this could be the best situation for Illinoisans, allowing him to govern well under challenging circumstances... On the other hand, the speaker of the Illinois House is the true power in the State, and he's been grooming his daughter for a run for Governor,... the question remains about whether Quinn could get strong legislative support, or, if he'd be considered a placeholder until the next gubernatorial election. If Quinn would prefer to serve as Senator, the paths to getting to that position would be strange indeed.

[serindipity803]

Surely the people of Illinois will require that Blago step aside and/or step down immediately. Our country needs all the states in lock step -- in this crisis.

[illinoisan]

We've been calling for his impeachment for months and months but even his sworn enemies in politics seem reluctant to get it done or even get it started.

[CaptainVideo]

Time to make Blockhead feel stuck in a jail cell.

[TidalShadow]

Quinn wouldn't be bad in the short term, but we'll have to see how he governs. Illinois doesn't exactly have much of a history in terms of responsible governors.

[deanrl]

I thought George Ryan was a cretin and the whole mess caused Illinois to elect Blagojevich, who seemed like an egomaniacal opportunist from day one, over Jim Ryan, who would actually have been a competent governor.

It seemed apparent early on that Blaggy was looking to use the Illinois governorship as a steppingstone to running for president. Reading illinois.gov went from being a valuable information resource for residents to a place that serves the governor's ego.

[illinoisan]

Quinn is a good guy who would make a great governor but has always been too much of a gadfly to get the necessary support. He would be better than we deserve.

[mater]

Let the torch pass quickly! Poor Illinois! Alledgedly, Blagoevich said he felt "stuck" with the Governorship. Sounds a little like Bobby Jindal, who fought to get elected and now, is campaigning for a bigger job. Your states' people trusted you, disingenuous opportunis­ts!---make room for Mr. Quinn, who'll do an honest job.

[tel8034]

Sounds a LITTLE like Bobby Jindal? ..........­..........­.. Sounds a LOT like Sarah Palin.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Must be the water.

First Ryan. Now Blagojevich. Maybe they can be roommates.

[Egalitare]

Illinois deserves better than Blagojevich, and I hope Quinn fits the bill.

[leeman79]

That's good news. Now get him a newer phone. He looks like he's at a Jerry Lewis telethon.