GOP Rep. Mark Kirk: Blagojevich Has 'Severe' Psychological Problems, Calls For Impeachment

CHICAGO - Congressman Mark Kirk says embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's career is coming to an end.

The Republican says lawmakers should impeach Blagojevich so Illinois can move on. That includes allowing Lt. Gov Pat Quinn to appoint a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.

Blagojevich faces corruption charges that accuse him of trying to sell Obama's seat for money or favors. He's denied wrongdoing. Last week, he appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as Obama's replacement.

During an interview on WLS Radio's "The Don and Roma Morning Show" on Monday, Kirk said the entire state is at a "standstill" because of the corruption allegations. He claims Blagojevich has "severe" psychological problems.

Kirk is a Naval Reserve commander who recently returned from Afghanistan where he says troops have high morale.

Comments

[SteveD]

Ultimate opportunist. see blog http://illinoisreason.wordpress.com/category/republicans/ . . . Why the heck is [Kirk] severely stretching the truth (ie, fibbing, spinning, and muckraking) about union wages and benefits with regards to the much-discussed “bailout” of Detroit? On his own webpage, using House of Representatives letterhead no less, Rep. Kirk claims that: ......In sum, General Motors pays $78 per hour of output in pay, benefits, care and pensions. Toyota pays just $35 ...It’s very curious (and highly suspect) that Rep. Kirk offers absolutely no reference, source or evidence for that claim. How could he? . . . but it’s also just shockingly misleading spin.

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PS: It’s not even really a bailout. Unlike the current Bush/Paulson plan of just handing out billions to ailing banks as if they’ve just won the lotto, all Detroit is looking for are low-interest bridge loans to help get across the deepest part of the ongoing Bush Recession. And the Big Three’s CEOs, and the unions representing their employees, have said they’re willing to consider strict oversight … again, unlike the unsupervised windfall Treasurer Paulson is doling out to banks and lenders.

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PPS: Congressman Kirk opens has fallacy-based letter with this populist rejoinder, “Their [CEOs'] lack of preparation goes far beyond their travel to Washington in executive jets and failure to economize on executive pay.”

It’s a bit bizarre to see conservatives complaining about CEO pay and private jets, to say the least. What’s that I smell? A whiff of “opportunism” perhaps?

[Kalie]

The Repubs in Illinois will say/do anything to get a new vote for Senator. Personally, I dont feel we have the money for it in illinois. Our infrastructure is crumbling, the prices for goods and services has risen to a point where things are no longer affordable, the state is behind on paying school districts the money they promised them, healthcare costs are through the roof, etc.

Partisanship is not what is needed here. What is needed is more jobs in Illinois and someone to watch our for the people in Illinois. Roland Burris was going to do that and just got denied admission to the Senate. I think we should sue Harry Reid and anyone else who denied our appointed Senator. Im sorry our Governor swears on the phone, but I dont see that a crime has been committed by Blago. I hope no one is listening on your phones!

[VOTER]

Isn't is strange how Kirk NEVER saw any problems with convicted and imprisoned
former IL Gov. George Ryan?

WE, THE PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS, CAN TAKE CARE OF BLAGO, THE SAME
WAY WE TOOK CARE OF RYAN.

OF ALL PEOPLE, WE DO NOT NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU.

[LITNUP]

Mark Kirk saw ACTIVE DUTY IN AFGHANISTAN, the first for a sitting Congressman since 1942

[bleeplander]

Can we get a toofer, impeach a gov and a pres?

[WhiteDelyte]

Impeach Kirk. He thinks hes the captain.

[obelus]

Well, if Rep. Kirk had knowledge that the Governor lacked the mental capacity to serve and did nothing until now then Rep. Kirk's own dereliction has harmed the Illinois citizenry. Rep. Kirk has a noticeable taint to him.

[Whatashame]

Please give me a break. Bush is the one that should be impeached.

[Eric8869]

Was Kirk calling for George Ryan's impeachment? or is this just partisan?

[The Patriot]

Perhaps he could change his name to "James Tiberius" - he would be super-formidable then (plus the name recognition thing)

[alfo]

WELL WELL WELL KIRK,THE ILL. SUPREME COURT HAS REJECTED UR ASSERTION OF PHYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS,JUST ASK LISA MADIGAN, NOW YOU CAN GET IN LINE,BURRIS HAS NEVER LOST TO A REPB,UR GONNA NEED ALL THE ROVIAN TACTICS THAT R LEFT IN THAT BAG OF LIES.

[lovesds]

This from a man that sat on his butt and did nothing years ago. Republicans are looking stupid too. The man has criminal complaint. Fitzgerald ask for 90 more days. So what indictment has there been? None. Boy for so many people to say they know the law you sure are dumb

[poomplet]

Kirk is a very rare GOP bird; smart, moderate and honorable/honest.

He will be a FORMIDABLE opponent for whatever office he seeks in the future (gov/senate). If Burris is seated....and that's looking more & more likely....he will certainly run for reelection in 2010. If the GOP then slates Kirk against him, it's GAME OVER.

That would be pretty Karmic.....Obama took that seat from a white GOP incumbent because of a scandal....now it looks like they'll get it back the same way.

[FairisFair]

you must not be from Illinois, because he is slim. He was almost defeated in this reelection but he was able to smear his opponent.

[poomplet]

I am from here, and you're high.

Kirk was one of THREE incumbent GOP congressmen (senate AND house) that INCREASED his margin of victory over their previous elections this past November. Given the obvious/ne­cessary/ma­ssive GOP backlash, that's a pretty huge thing.

He's gained a lot of plum appointments...he's respected on both sides....he's doing a great job. He didn't smear Seals any worse than Seals did he; all elections are contentious, but nobody got too ugly/personal in this race.

Only a reflexive-moonbat would argue otherwise (I'm a Dem leaning independent)....and if they do, it's at the peril of the Democratic party/candidates.