The election of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama gives Gov. Rod Blagojevich the opening he needs to make friends and nice with fellow Democrats. The Hound can see those Blago wheels turning: Who can help him get renominated in 2010 and then re-elected?
Blago the Bad wants to be Blago the Good so he's going to take his time and have anybody who's been mentioned as possible senatorial material tell him what can they bring to the table in two years. That's the way Chicago pols operate.
So Blago the Good is going through the motions saying he wants to have a name by December and appoint before the Senate convenes in January after Obama gives up his seat for the White House. Blago the Good says he's looking for candidates who will support the president-elect's agenda; work to represent Illinois (duh!); work with the governor on legislation for the state to achieve shared goals --- affordable health care, infrastructure and the economy.
Sounds like the perfect candidate is...drum roll please: Rod Blagojevich. Appointing his governorship to the Senate would be a way to get out of Illinois and away from the wrath of Illinoisans, but still be here.
After all, Blago has never lived in Springfield since being elected governor. If he names himself to the senatorial post, he won't have to move to Washington, D.C. He can just mail in his votes and depend on Dick Durbin to do the heavy lifting for Illinois. After all, Durbin's been the state's lone senator since Obama began running for president nearly two years ago.
Yup, it's a perfect match. Plus, Blago has Washington experience. He was a congressman at one time.
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