In a move as socio-pathetic as it was politically strategic, beleaguered IL Gov Rod Blagojevich appointed former State Attorney General Roland Burris, 71, to fill Obama’s Senate seat.
This, despite assurances from his lawyer that he would heed admonitions by everyone from President-elect Barack Obama to the entire Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate that anyone he appoints would tainted and thus unacceptable.
Under these circumstances anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus. (Statement by Senate Democratic leaders)
But by announcing his choice, Blagojevich called their bluff:
I’m here to announce my intention to appoint an individual who has unquestioned integrity and is a wise and distinguished senior statesman in Illinois… Please don’t allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man.
Burris then deftly pleaded his own case by noting, correctly, that notwithstanding the FBI’s complaint, Blagojevich was still legally entitled to make this appointment and that, accordingly, he has every intention of serving out Obama’s term in the Senate.
And if that were not persuasive or intimidating enough, revered Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) immediately praised Blagojevich’s decision and played the race card. Specifically, he warned the all-white members of the Senate that the last thing they want to do is block the doors of the U.S. Senate to deny this black man from entering – the way George Wallace once blocked the doors of the University of Alabama to deny two black students from enrolling.
At any rate, legally speaking, Blagojevich’s move is unassailable; and politically, it is shrewd – if only for the vexing dilemma it presents to his detractors.
Therefore, I predict Burris will serve….
Moreover, even though he won this battle, Blagojevich will eventually be not only impeached but also convicted on a battery of corruption charges, which will land him in prison for the rest of his life.
NOTE: If the Illinois legislature had called a special election (as I suggested in my original commentary on this unfolding situation), instead of dithering and quibbling over funding, they, Obama and Democratic leaders in the Senate would have been spared this untenable spectacle.
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