Blago’s Senate Pick

“Can’t you see that’s the last act of a desperate man?” Sheriff Bart asked the citizens of Rock Ridge in Mel Brooks’s “Blazing Saddles.”

“We don’t care if it’s the first act of Henry V,” replied local townsman Howard Johnson.

Such is the situation of embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), accused of attempting to sell the vacated Senate seat of Barack Obama.

Top Democrats have called for his resignation, and the Illinois legislature has begun impeachment proceedings. Meanwhile, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has vowed not to seat whomever Blagojevich selects.

In a corner, with few options, Blagojevich — whose actions while governor have not exactly screamed out the words “political acumen” — appears to have selected former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill Obama’s seat.

There is little doubt Burris, who is African-American, is qualified to be senator. And, having run against Chicago Mayor William Daley and Blagojevich himself, Burris is clearly not a part of the Chicago political machine.

In essence, Blagojevich is daring the Democrats not to seat his pick.

It may be the last act of a desperate man, but it is a bold one. It’s anyone’s guess what will happen next, but politically, Blagojevich has won the day.