Daredevil

IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, a 71-year-old former state attorney general and an African American, as Pres.-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the United States Senate this afternoon, daring Democratic leaders to sink the nomination of the man who would be the only sitting black senator.

"He has had a long and distinguished career serving the people of Illinois," Blagojevich said, with Rep. Bobby Rush, a well-known African American congressman from Illinois by his side. "He will be a great United States senator."

But it's highly unlikely Burris will make it that far. IL Sec of State Jesse White has said he won't certify the pick. And Senate Dems -- led by Majority Leader Harry Reid -- have said they won't seat Burris. IL Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said today that Blagojevich is "unfit to serve" and suggested that Burris should not have participated in Blagojevich's proposal.

"I think he made a mistake in accepting this appointment," Quinn said of Burris.

Blagojevich has been accused, but not convicted, of trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. Among other charges, of course. But state Democratic leaders appear prepared to oust him nonetheless, and state House impeachment hearings continue. Blagojevich is paying his colleagues no mind, showing with the Burris appointment that he intends not to let his party's leaders sully his reputation unanswered. In the process, the governor is also throwing a distraction into the mix, turning media attention to Burris and away, at least temporarily, from his own legal troubles and questionnable political future.

In the meantime, Blagojevich provides the hapless IL GOP -- a state party that had to turn to Marylander Alan Keyes to run against Obama for Senate in 2004 -- with ammunition for a special election. But is a special election the only way out for Democrats as well? It would provide a costly exit -- $30M to $50M, IL Board of Election sources have told On Call. Or should lawmakers allow Burris, who has served his state with no great distinction but without scandal, the opportunity to serve as a placemaker?

(JENNIFER SKALKA)