Blagojevich proves himself a master of dirty politics

Blagojevich proves himself a master of dirty politics

The tape recordings of a foul-mouthed Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich talking about selling a seat in the U.S. Senate left little doubt about his lack of integrity.

Blagojevich latest move, appointing Roland Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, to fill Barack Obama’s vacated Senate seat, shows the governor to be beyond shrewd and cynical; the man is a political sociopath. Not only is he willing to brazenly proclaim his innocence in the face of clear evidence of his wrongdoing, he will go out of his way to challenge his accusers and to torment those who are not supporting him.

Burris, who had generally gained respect — though often not victory — in his runs for public office, is allowing himself to be used by Blagojevich.

Burris is black and Blagojevich wasted no time playing the race card. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois was invited to the announcement of Burris’ appointment, where Rush said, “I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer.” That’s irresponsible hyperbole for which Rush should be held to account, but it was music to Blagojevich’s ears. “That was excellent, Bobby. Thank you,” Blagojevich said to Rush. The governor then turned to reporters and said, “Feel free to castigate the appointer but don’t lynch the appointer. I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.”

No one is lynching anyone in this matter, anymore than anyone was lynching Clarence Thomas when his fitness to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States was questioned 17 years ago. The era of lynchings in the United States was one of the ugliest in U.S. history and using that racially and emotionally charged word for political gain is beyond despicable.

Just stay home

Burris has said that he does not intend to “create a scene” when the Senate convenes next week. We hope that means he won’t show up in Washington and attempt to enter the Senate chambers. Democratic leaders have said they will block the seating of a Blagojevich appointee, and with good reason. Anyone sent to Washington by Blagojevich, who was heard on government surveillance tapes talking about trading the appointment for jobs or money, is tainted. And while Burris has not been directly linked to Chicago style corruption and actually ran against Blagojevich years ago, records show he has given $20,000 in campaign contributions to Blagojevich.

Burris’ lawyers has already filed for a writ of mandamus to force Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to certify Blagojevich’s paperwork making the appointment. If he wins that, the battle will move to Washington, where the U.S. Senate can be expected to delay seating Burris, possibly until after the Illinois legislature moves on Blagojevich’s impeachment.

The issue of Blagojevich making this appointment could have been avoided if the state Legislature had acted quickly to call a special election to fill the Obama vacancy. But legislators were reluctant to do so because it could have resulted in the election of a Republican. That is perhaps even likely, given the disarray among Illinois Democrats and Blagojevich’s taint on the party. U.S. Senate Democrats would be even more interested in keeping the seat Democratic. In the fight for control of the Senate, especially when a filibuster is threatened, every vote counts.

But they should have put principle above politics and denied Blagojevich the opportunity to poke a stick in their eye. He no doubt sees it as just retribution for the Democrats’ quick abandonment of him. If there is justice, however, they’ll get the last laugh when Blagojevich is drummed out of office, convicted and packed off to a federal penitentiary.