THE POLITICAL ANIMAL

Well, my fellow readers, looks like our good buddy Gov. Blagojevich is up to his old tricks again.

Here’s the latest scoop from The New York Times.

“Defying U.S. Senate leaders and his own state’s lawmakers, Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.”

For those of you who just got back from a long trip to the International Space Station and have no clue as to what’s going on, allow me to give a quick briefing.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested earlier this month by federal authorities and was charged on several counts of political corruption. One of the accusations being leveled at the governor is that he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Now Blago wants to give the seat to Old Man Burris, a public servant with a clean reputation. The governor has also asked that his legal troubles don’t ”taint this good and honest man.”

It’s nice to know that Blago is now interested in ethical people.

”The people of Illinois are entitled to have two United States senators represent them in Washington D.C.,” he said. ”As governor I am required to make this appointment.”

Uh-huh. There might be a slight problem with this, Mr. “Governor.”

Take it from here, NYT!    

“The Democratic governor’s announcement as Burris as his pick may be an empty gesture. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said Tuesday he will not do so. And U.S. Senate leaders reiterated that they wouldn’t accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich, who was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges.”

”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,” said a statement issued by Senate Democrats earlier today.

Wow, Blago must really hate Mr. Burris. Although the guy appears to be an honest chap, any chance that he will ever serve in the world’s most deliberative body has just been blown.

Now if only the governor could appoint Caroline Kennedy!

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