Fighting Corruption

Yesterday, Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, who is under investigation for attempting to sell President Elect Barak Obama's senate seat, appointed Roland Burris to fill that seat. Burris is the first African-American to win a major statewide office in Illinois. The appointment is opposed by other Illinois Democrats.

As reported by Len Wells in the courierpress, Governor Blagojevich defended his appointment saying,

Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man," the governor said, turning to the smiling 71-year-old standing by his side. "This is about Roland Burris as a U.S. senator, not about the governor who made the appointment.

You can view Blagojevich's announcement on YouTube or read commentary from the New York Times. The political theater of appointing a senator is not limited to Illinois. Lesser, but still good drama is playing in New York and Delaware.

I don't want to comment on the political maneuverings, but on limiting corruption. As currently practiced, a governor that can fill a vacated senate seat has something of value to sell. It is likely to be a career appointment. Appointees gain name recognition and title, big advantages over challengers when elections are finally held.

A governor's appointment of a senator should truly be temporary, baring the appointee from running for the Senate when the next election is held. Instead of witnessing candidates insinuating themselves into consideration, we may witness governors begging qualified persons to serve.