MORNING READ

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), President-elect Barack Obama’s reported pick for Interior secretary, gets a mixed reception in the blogosphere, while some wonder if Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.) actually committed a crime by talking about an auction for Obama’s Senate seat.

Obama could have done worse that Salazar, who has a strong record on environmental issues, mcjoan writes at Daily Kos. But a better choice would have been the more progressive Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Chris Bowers contends at Open Left. As far as Salazar’s replacement in the Senate goes, RedState’s Moe Lane proposes that if Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo.) takes his brother’s place, Republicans could swoop in on his House seat.

Defense lawyers are starting to wonder if all of Blagojevich’s taped phone calls actually amount to a crime, suggesting U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald may need more evidence to convict the governor of corruption, Jeralyn notes at TalkLeft. Did Blagojevich’s conversations go further than the usual political deal-making? Jennifer Rubin asks at contentions, wondering if Blagojevich actually went beyond talking about a “deal.”

And the fate of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush has some bloggers worried. Amid rumors and reports that the journalist was badly beaten and taken to a U.S. military hospital, Newshoggers’ BJ says that how he is treated in custody will indicate how much progress has been made in Iraq.

FROM THE BLOGS:
Justice We Can Believe In – David Sirota, Open Left
Carney to Join Biden in Oblivion – Erick Erickson, RedState
Hoekstra to Hang Up His Spikes? – brownsox, Daily Kos
Obama Interview: No Inappropriate Contacts – Allahpundit, Hot Air
I’ll Arm-Wrestle Kennedy for the Seat – watertiger, Firedoglake
Pro-Science – Steve Benen, Political Animal
Questions about Obama’s Leadership – Michael Medved, Townhall.com
Cheney Admits to War Crime – Andrew Sullivan, The Daily Dish
Team of Ballers – Michael Crowley, The Stump
The Right Response to Obama/Blagojevich – P. Ruffini, The Next Right

OTHER NEWS SOURCES:
Kennedy Seeks to Prove Qualifications – NY Times
Salazar Accepts Obama Offter to Join Cabinet – The Hill
Obama Taps Chicago Schools Chief for Post – Washington Post