Dear Swami:
I seem to recall that you predicted the Illinois Senate would vote to remove Rod Blagojevich from office on Jan. 12. The actual date was Jan. 29. Just for laughs, I'll ask if you can predict how all this Roland Burris business will turn out -- resignation, censure, expulsion from the Senate, perjury indictment, slap on the wrist, parking ticket, what?
Lisa M.
Dear Ms. Madigan:
One thing we can all rule out is resignation, no matter how many editorial boards call for it. Roland Burris had the moxie to take a Senate appointment from a governor with one foot in the penitentiary. Why would he turn into a different politician now?
No, once the flames die down, most likely during the second week of March, the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee will meet, everyone will have a chance to look properly concerned about his lapses in judgment, and Burris will be admonished in a public but ineffectual way.
And then, the very next day, at least one Illinois office-holder will announce her intention to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010. Wait for it.
