Madigan
Kay
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan's memo outlining "talking points" for Democratic candidates on how to discuss and make the case for impeaching Governor Rod Blagojevich set Springfield on fire Wednesday.
The memo, prepared by Madigan -- now a fierce rival of the governor -- in part suggests that candidates deny Madigan had anything to do with the impeachment discussion. Rather, candidates are advised to say they researched impeachment on their own.
To view the memo, click here.
House Minority Leader Tom Cross (R-Oswego) said Wednesday that the memo lays out "a scheme to lie" to the people of Illinois.
He said that Madigan shouldn't question the governor's trustworthiness and then suggest that candidates lie.
Locally, Dwight Kay, Republican candidate for state representative in the 112th House District, seized the memo as opportunity to knock his opponent, incumbent State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville). Hoffman and Blagojevich are close friends and the strongest of allies in Springfield.
"While we should not prejudge the Governor, the facts are clear that the unethical - possibly criminal - activity that has transpired in Springfield and Chicago in the past five years continues to fleece taxpayers and paralyze state government," Kay said in a statement.
On the campaign trail, Kay has been railing on state legislators for ineffective leadership.
"It is obvious that Governor Blagojevich is the key obstacle causing this state governmental gridlock, and state representative Jay Hoffman is continuing to enable the Governor and his dysfunctional administration," Kay said.
He also called on Hoffman to "come clean" on his involvement in fund-raising for Blagojevich, issues that were raised in the federal corruption trial of Tony Rezko, who was convicted last month in Chicago.
"...[T]he voters deserve an investigation into the actions of Governor Blagojevich and all of his advocates and leaders as it applies to the administration of this state," Kay said.