Hot Rod Blagojevich Can Still Fill Obama’s Senate Seat But Time Is Running Out

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could still appoint someone to fill Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat despite charges that he tried to barter it away for cash or a plum job in what prosecutors call “a political corruption crime spree.”

But it would take a lot of nerve and Blagojevich would have to hurry because state lawmakers are racing to snatch away his power to appoint a new senator and put it in the hands of voters.

“No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Tuesday after the governor was arrested on charges of conspiring to commit fraud and soliciting bribery.

Until state lawmakers call a special election, though, Blagojevich still has the power to fill the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Obama.

“He is still the sitting governor of Illinois today, now, and that is not something we have any say in or control of,” U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in unveiling corruption charges against the 52-year-old governor.

Now, it is a game of cat and mouse between Hot Rod and Fitz. A plea deal would have to be quick before the Illinois House impeaches the Governor or the Illinois Supreme Court ousts him.

Of course, Blagojevich could always appoint himself to Obama’s seat and resign the Governorship but the United States Senate could refuse to seat him. But, would Harry Reid do that? Remember in the House, Nancy Pelosi let William Jefferson slide for years.