Blago's Senate pick unacceptable

At the conclusion of my last post regarding the disgrace who is Rod Blagojevich, I noted two steps that needed to be urgently taken in response to allegations of illegal activity by the Illinois governor: First, he needed to resign or be impeached and removed from office; and second, the state Legislature needed to act immediately to prevent him from naming Barack Obama's senatorial successor.

Sadly, neither step has yet been accomplished, and in the case of the latter, it's too late. In a supreme yet unsurprising act of hubris, Blagojevich on Tuesday announced his selection of Democrat Roland Burris, former Illinois State Comptroller and Attorney General, as the man to fill Obama's vacant spot in the U.S. Senate. If that wasn't enough, he threw the race card on the table by explicitly daring Democratic senators to go on the record as trying to block the appointment of a black man.

Burris, who himself is now complicit in this horrendous situation by failing to decline Blagojevich's tainted offer, has done nothing to assuage the inevitable fury of Illinois voters. In an interview broadcast on NBC 5 News in Chicago on Tuesday night, the 71-year-old politician was asked about the prospect of entering the Senate when none of his colleagues would want him there. His response was quick and smug: "That's their problem, not mine." Clearly, this is a man whose concern is for his personal aspirations, not the hurting people of Illinois. He must not be seated in the U.S. Senate under any circumstances. Another African American senator would be a wonderful addition to Congress — but any appointment made by Illinois' corrupt governor is inherently unacceptable.

Burris has already implied that he'd legally challenge any attempt by fellow Democrats to block his entry to the Senate. This is truly tragic. With the seemingly insurmountable list of foreign and domestic problems this nation faces in the new year, such a distraction from those issues will simply plunge us deeper into crisis. Any respectable public figure who bears some semblance of grace or selflessness would recognize this and step aside for the greater good of his state and country. Burris — much like his friend, the governor — does not fit that description. Nevertheless, if a drawn-out legal battle is the only choice to prevent this appointment from going through, so be it. Perhaps Illinois voters will have had their chance to weigh in before the matter is even resolved. The main concern, of course, is quickly appointing a second Illinois senator who is credible and not corrupt.

Meanwhile, Blagojevich and his very few remaining allies keep repeating the concept of innocence until proven guilty. This standard is true in a criminal court of law, and he'll have an opportunity to defend himself just like any other American accused of a crime. But he can do so as a private citizen. Impeachment and removal from public office does not need to stem from criminal charges — it can be a remedy for a politician who has engaged in official misconduct or is simply unfit to serve in his or her role. Clearly, the current governor fits that bill, and with his unspeakable actions on Tuesday, he's demonstrated the danger he poses to our state and nation with each day he remains in power. He must be removed now, before the damage he inflicts to this already-ailing state becomes irreparable.