Memo outlines Illinois gov's potential impeachment

[June 11, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- The speaker of the Illinois House is circulating a memo outlining how legislative candidates can call for impeachment hearings against the governor, calling corruption during his tenure "a tumor."

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is also chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, said the memo is intended for candidates who have requested more information if voters ask about Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich and potential impeachment.

The memo sent to some House Democratic candidates, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, offers a rundown of Blagojevich's alleged "misdeeds and malfeasance" and detailed talking points on the merits of impeachment.

"We should excise a tumor when it is first discovered; not leave it in the body to continue to spread and do further harm," the memo reads.

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said the memo is not necessarily reflective of the Democratic speaker's view but simply an attempt to help candidates. "People can do with it what they want," Brown said.

Blagojevich's office accused Madigan of orchestrating "backroom games" to divert attention from his disagreements with the governor and other legislative leaders on budget issues.

"We wish he would drop his behind-the-scenes maneuvering and come to the leaders' meetings," spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said. "It's time for the speaker to join the rest of the legislative leaders who have been working with the governor to pass a capital bill that will put thousands of people to work."

Talk of impeachment at the Capitol has heated up as Blagojevich has found his administration entangled in a federal corruption investigation.

Top fundraiser and friend Antoin "Tony" Rezko was convicted last week on corruption charges. Witnesses at Rezko's trial said Blagojevich discussed a job for a campaign donor with a $25,000 contribution lying on the table and dangled state contracts to entice a fundraiser to help bankroll future campaigns. Blagojevich has denied wrongdoing.

The memo suggests the candidates, if asked, say they aren't discussing impeachment at Madigan's behest. "This has nothing to do with Mike Madigan," the talking points say.

Candidates also are told to say Madigan's staff wasn't involved in researching impeachment. "I've researched the issue on my own and after careful consideration believed that now is the right time to do it," says the suggested comment.

"A review and examination of his ability and interest to be the governor of the state is in order," the talking points say. "The level of dysfunction and disagreement has reached a fever pitch under his watch. He shows remarkably little ability to govern."

Senate President Emil Jones, also a Democrat, said impeachment is not warranted and should not be used to divert attention away from passing an operating budget and a capital bill.

"I think it's wrong for the Democratic speaker and Democratic Party chairman to promote the impeachment of a Democratic governor," Jones said in a statement.

[Associated Press; By RYAN KEITH]

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