Blago Keeps The Heat On Obama

As a conservative, you have to love Illinois Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Rather than simply appoint an unremarkable, loyal party member to the First Rookie's now-vacant seat, the governor engaged in antics which may put him in jail for attempting to sell the seat.

But that wasn't all.

No, after calls by the President-elect for Blago to resign, and hold a special general election for the seat, he does neither. Instead, he vows to fight for his office and freedom, then went ahead and appointed a black- naturally- Illinois Democrat, former AG Roland Burris, to fill the vacant Senate seat.

Senate Democrats have already promised not to seat the newly-appointed Senator.

But the best part of this circus, for conservatives, is that it keeps the entire mess alive and visible to the voting public. A constant reminder of how the Chicago Machine does business. Corruptly, and in express and explicit indifference to the people's wishes.

This pay-to-play scandal now hangs like a foul stench over the First Rookie's inaugural and honeymoon with Congress.

There's another facet that is difficult to capture analytically, but makes the mess have greater impact. That is, Blago is such a buffoonish character. It's a reminder, like the hapless Florida Secretary of State during the 2000 recount, that state-level officials who are fine in their role can become awful liabilities when exposed to the harsh glare of national media.

Blago makes Illinois look like a backward, third-world country. He's boyish-looking, goofy, and behaves like the class clown from fourth grade.

Just what the President-elect needs America to realize. This is the caliber of "leadership" that the Cook County Democratic machine turns out.

Buckle up, folks. It's going to be a rough, but funny ride for the next four- and only four- years.