BLATANT ARROGANCE SEEN IN ILLINOIS

Rod Blagojevich, the scandal-plagued Illinois Governor who is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama’s US Senate seat, astonished political observers last night by naming a retired, 71-year-old black politician as the replacement to fill it. Despite facing multiple corruption charges, impeachment proceedings and warnings from the Democratic leadership in Washington that anybody he chose would be unacceptable, Mr Blagojevich named Roland Burris, the former Illinois attorney-general, to succeed Mr Obama. The move was condemned by Mr Obama, who said that while Mr Burris was a “good man and a fine public servant”, the governor had no right to appoint him. “I agree with [the Democratic leaders’] decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it,” the President-elect said...Although Mr Burris had called for the governor’s resignation four days after his arrest, yesterday he described Mr Blagojevich as a man of “unquestioned integrity, extensive experience and a wise and distinguished senior statesman of Illinois.” SOURCE:CHICAGO SUN TIMES

Blagojevich,by going back on his word and appointing a replacement to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat,he stole from the Illinois voters the chance to select their own senator through a special election.
And whom did the governor choose? Just another Illinois politician, Roland Burris, the former attorney general whose political career is notable only for its lack of notable achievements.Source:Chicago Tribune

However, Mr. Burris is no "shrinking violet" of a politician. In the past he has had the following to say about himself: "I am a visionary,’’ he declared in Chicago Sun-Times interview in 2002, when he was running for governor, his third unsuccessful try at the job.
In another interview with the paper, Burris said his past success — election as state comptroller and attorney general — was “divine providence” that began as a teenager when he decided to become a lawyer and officeholder.
“People said I was either crazy or divinely directed. I accept the latter,’’ he said. “I believe without a doubt that I am predestined to be a role model.”

I guess the Gov. felt he was too!

At a news conference on Tuesday, Blagojevich insisted he was making the appointment solely for the benefit of the people of Illinois, who should not be deprived of a sitting senator another day.And, he said, the law requires it of him. But this would be so if he had not been already arrested for trying to sell the Obama Senate seat.

I don't know why Blagojevich chose Burris, who as Illinois comptroller was the first African American elected to statewide office.A hardened cynic might suspect that Blagojevich, by making the Burris appointment, is thinking not of the people of Illinois, but of the 12 jurors who will sit in judgment of him at a criminal trial.

The governor's defense now can argue that the governor never intended to sell the Senate seat. See for yourself -- he chose Burris.

Nor does Burris' appointment hurt Blagojevich if there happen to be African Americans on Blagojevich's jury, according to traditional thinking among the defense attorneys.

This all is indicative of my cynical thinking I admit, but the Illinois governor has invited cynicism for years! He is a hard man to take at his word. Rumors are flowing around Chicago, that before he entered politics, he was a "bag man" for the Chicago mob.

Blagojevich emphasized that his own political and legal problems should not reflect poorly on Burris when he said this: ""Please, don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man,"

But I think that anyone chosen by Blagojevich would be tainted, even the most accomplished politician. The only way the Senator that replaces President elect Obama will have any legitimacy is to have a general election. And the argument that it costs too much does not hold water. The State spends millions on failed welfare and public works projects with little or no objection. Why not do something that would bring legitimacy, if not honesty back to Illinois?