Are We Really Taking Blago Seriously?

I've been ignoring it--because who wants to worry about corrupt politicians during the holiday season?--but the Rod Blagojevich situation has been heating up. I can't say I'm surprised that, even after promising that he wouldn't, he named an appointment to Obama's empty senate seat. Anybody who didn't see that coming should be banned from the annual pundit cookout and slumber party. He's a crook! Were we actually supposed to expect him to keep his word? There was every reason for him to claim the cloak of gubernatorial respectability by performing his gubernatorial duties. Up until Tuesday, I would've said that Roland Burris was perfectly qualified to be senator, but now I've got serious doubts about his judgment. He actually said with a straight face that he doesn't think he should be tainted because Blago's been having trouble. When the trouble Bloago's been having is that he's trying to sell the senate seat, by definition, any appointment he makes is tainted. Sorry Roland, it was tainted before you ever got there, so your taking it isn't enough to untaint it.

There have been various arguments about whether Blago's appointment can be legally thwarted, but I'm partial to this one in Slate by professors from Yale and Cornell. One good thing that Blago's action might produce this week is to hurry the Illinois legislature into pursuing his impeachment. House Speaker Mike Madigan has asked legislators to return early to hear the report from the committee investigating just that. Thanks, Rod. They needed a fire under them.