Who in Illinois Will Replace Barack Obama in the Senate? Blogging About Blagojevich.

MARK KARLIN'S EDITOR'S BLOG: Another BuzzFlash Perspective on Our Homestate Politics.

Everyone knows that governors appoint replacements when Senate seats become vacant.

In fact, just yesterday, BuzzFlash focused on the strong possiblity that Sarah Palin would appoint herself senator if convicted GOP felon Ted Stevens wins re-election (which appears likely, although the absentee ballots are still being counted) and then is forced out of the senate or resigns  This would give her a national forum for her ignorance, but in her eyes provide her a platform for running in the Republican primaries in 2012.

So, what about the governor from our BuzzFlash home state of Illinois? Who will Rod Blagojevich appoint to replace Barack Obama?

Well, Blagojevich had a news conference yesterday in Chicago in which he announced that he might not make a decision until the end of the year. Blagojevich, a former Congressman, declared that he was not interested in appointing himself, but don't rule that out. Don't rule that out at all.

Blajojevich has an approval rating in Illinois, according to a recent Chicago Tribune poll, of 13%! Yes, you read that right.  Without getting into why an Illinois Democratic governor with a Democratic legislature would have a lower approval rating in his state than that of George W. Bush, let's just say that Blagojevich appointing himself would get him out of having to run for re-election in 2010 and probably losing in the Democratic primary to Lisa Madigan, the enormously popular, personable and professional Illinois Attorney General (and daughter of the all-powerful Speaker of the Illinois House, Michael Madigan, who -- and this gets complicated -- is the arch foe of Blagojevich.)

That's of course if Blagojevich doesn't get indicted first.  BuzzFlash has noted from the begining of the Rezko investigation by famed U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (yes, he of the Scooter Libby prosecution) that Blagojevich is the big fish that the feds are pursuing.  (Obama's relationship with Rezko may have been a lapse in judgment for the perennial Boy Scout, but there was nothing illegal about it.)  So, appointing himself to the Senate would not necessarily keep Blagojevich from being indicted, which many local pundits predict is just a matter of time.

But Blagojevich, according to most of us who follow him, is in a state of denial, and may see a move to Washington as a practical career step.  You can't usually get much lower than 13% in approval rating, but it's possible for Rod if he sticks around.  His only significant ally in Springfield is State Senate President Emil Jones, who is retiring after this session.  The new Democratic State Senate President (who will be elected by his or her peers) is likely to adopt a more adversarial position toward "Blago," as he is nicknamed.

Now isn't that a scenario that would make you want to get out of the Governor's office?

If Blagojevich doesn't appoint himself, it's not clear how much influence Obama would have on his selection, because they are not close, and Blagojevich marches to the beat of a different drummer, so to speak.

Rumor has it that Obama favors Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., who was a steadfast supporter of Obama from the beginning, and who even chastised his famous father when he was caught (on a hot mike) making some disparaging remarks about Obama.

One of our favorite possible Senate appointments is Chicago-area Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (who also happens to be my representative in Congress.) Jan, who started her political career as a consumer advocate, is a tireless and unapologetic progressive.  Like Obama, she doesn't get rattled or defensive when challenged about her viewpoints; she disarms critics of her public policies with candor and persuasion.

U.S. Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (whose 40-year-old daughter just tragically passed away from a congenital heart condition) is said to favor Iraq Vet Tammy Duckworth, who is currently head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

And then there are more names being tossed into the speculation hopper than you can shake a stick at.

But the betting is that Blagojevich is keeping his options open to determine which person would benefit him the most as Obama's replacement.  That's, of course, if he doesn't get indicted first.

MARK KARLIN'S EDITOR'S BLOG

BuzzFlash Note:  Although BuzzFlash generally steadfastly defends Democrats, if you live in Illinois you would understand that "Blago" would best benefit progressives and Democrats by exiting the political scene.   His strongest skills are making enemies and engaging in "pay to play" campaign fundraising schemes.  The 13% of Illinois residents who still support him are either people who believe Elvis is still alive ("Blago" has made his love of all things Elvis into a regular campaign shtick) or who have gotten patronage jobs because of Blagojevich.  Maybe he also gets a few percentage points of voter support from people who like guys with "big hair."