The One Speaks

Illustrating the magnitude of the messy scandal Illinois and national Dems face, they have to pull in the political capital of The One--even before he takes office--to handle a major rift in their own party.(!) Where's the love, hmm?

Chris Cillizza, WaPo's The Fix, "Blagojevich, Burris and More Problems for Illinois Dems:

While Blagojevich is within his powers as governor to appoint Burris, early signs from Senate Democrats, who have control over who gets seated, are that any appointment by Blagojevich is a non-starter.

"He will not be seated," predicted one well-connected Democratic source.

Regardless of what Senate Democrats do, Blagojevich has forced the ball into their court by naming Burris. [snip]

The efforts to block the seating of Burris got a major boost late this afternoon when Obama, still on vacation in Hawaii, voiced support for his former Senate colleagues.

"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat," Obama said in a statement. "I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it."

It's democracy the Chicago Way, Barack Obama's political stomping grounds--politics trumps principle and the people are just a means to an end.