Two Thumbs, Way Down
With Gov. Blagojevich's press conference minutes away, two blistering statements of condemnation have been issued against his reported choice to fill Pres.-elect Obama's Senate seat. First, from his own party, Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid (D): "It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic Senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety. We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris's ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. 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."
Also coming out against Burris is IL GOP Chair Andy McKenna, who said in a statement today: "Blagojevich Democrat Roland Burris is emblematic of the old-school, pay-to-play culture that has plagued Illinois for generations and this appointment is another embarrassment for the people of Illinois." McKenna reiterated his call for a special election to be held to fill the seat.
And adding to the sense that Blagojevich is proceeding without any Democratic support, Sen. Dick Durbin's (D) DC office is closed for the holidays and his press people in Chicago are not in the office.
(SEAN J. MILLER)
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