Never Let Them See You Sweat

As Warren Zevon pointed out in “Werewolf of London,” his hair was perfect. I’ve really got to hand it to Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich. He looks confident, composed and in control as he holds a press conference to appoint the replacement for HRH Obama to the US Senate. Perfectly coifed, not even a glisten of perspiration on his pursed lip, he stands before us. Yes, he is under indictment for an entire menu of indiscretions, as they are called in Illinois. But it is his right under the laws of the state to make that appointment as long as he is in office.

It is apparent that his profit margin on the deal was reduced considerably, but it is a period of market decline and many businesses are offering loss leaders just to maintain their viability. The business of governorship shouldn’t be immune from the market vagaries. If he makes this sale, a lot of the bad press goes away for him. His hair was perfect, he didn’t sweat.

But there is a problem on Capitol Hill.

Can They?

It seems that the Democrats don’t wish their hallowed halls to be tainted with a Blago selection. They hang their hats on the Constitutional authority to expel a member and to set their own rules. But, does their authority under that clause trump the right of the state to set their own, even if flawed, appointment process? While Blago might be rotting on the inside beneath that slick exterior, he’s the bad one, not his appointee. At least not as far as we can tell. Roland Burris is just the pawn in this game.

The choice was a master stroke for the Guv. He’s older, meaning he can serve as a placeholder until an election comes up. At that point, he might dutifully step aside so his Rodship can properly ascend—and don’t doubt that he would! He’s also suitably black to replace the pointedly black Sen. Obama and maintain the tradition of Illinois established by the now discredited Carol Mosely-Braun. Yep, blackness is a real trump in this game since it immediately forces the currently all-white Senate to look like bad guys if they try to block him. Bringing former Black Panther and incidental Congressman Bobby Rush forward to blatantly point out the racial aspects of this was an additional finesse demonstrating that Blago still has his mojo.