The next Senator from Illinois...

I spent a lot of time today reading the amazing news of the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The blockbuster allegation is that Blagojevich sought political and financial favors in exchange for an appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The Governor has the authority to make that appointment, and according to the feds, he was trying to auction it to the highest bidder. So, the G-men arrested Blagojevich today, and he will probably be indicted soon. If he doesn’t resign, he’ll almost certainly be impeached in short order.

But what of that still-vacant Senate seat ? Part of the reason Blagojevich allegedly thought he could extract such a high price for the appointment was that so many people wanted the job. The Governor still retains the power to make the appointment, as long as he’s still the Governor. But an appointment from Blagojevich would be irreparably tainted. Senate leaders have said they might not even allow a Blagojevich-appointed Senator to be seated. Even if Blagojevich resigns (his lawyer says he won’t) and Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn makes the appointment, it would be hard for anyone to shake off this scandal, especially if the choice is one of the hopefuls mentioned in the criminal complaint. And that’s especially true if the appointed Senator tries to run for a full term in 2010.

Illinois lawmakers are thus talking about passing quickie legislation stripping the Governor of the appointment power and mandating a special election for the seat. While this would have the salutary effect of insulating the new Senator from the Blagojevich heat, to a degree, the plan has its downsides. For one thing, it will be costly — I can’t find a link now, but I saw a figure of $45 million tossed around. That might be a tough one for cash-strapped Illinois to handle. Plus, I think what Illinois might need right now is less politicking, not more. Also, it seems a little like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Now, one might argue that Illinois governors have enough of a record of corruption* that this is a sound move for the future. But laws passed in haste and panic often have unintended consequences. Finally, note that one of the office-seekers mentioned in the federal complaint (although pseudonymously) is probably the Illinois Senate President, Emil Jones. So the legislature might just want to stay away from this hot potato for now.

(* — An aside : You know how city and state leaders will sometimes have wagers when their sports teams play an important game ? Given that Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech are playing in the Independence Bowl this year, and given the legacies of political corruption in both states, one wonders what the bet should be. Perhaps a carton of smokes, or some other prison currency ?)

Anyway, I think that the wisest move is for the legislature to hold off on its quick fix and for Quinn to appoint someone who has absolutely no connection to this mess. Someone who wasn’t even in a million years going to grub for favors from Blagojevich. Someone who has a long connection to Illinois and a record of cleaning up corruption in Chicago. Someone with unimpeachable credentials, and a lifetime of public service, but who owes no favors and won’t be in anyone’s pocket. Someone who won’t be angling to run for a full term in 2010, but would be an ideal caretaker. Readers, that person is...Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens :

I’m (sort of) serious ! Stevens is eighty-eight years old, and while he seems vigorous and shows no signs of slowing down, he can’t stay on the Supreme Court forever. His resignation would spare the Court and the President the possibility of a double vacancy, like we almost has with Justice O’Connor and Chief Justice Rehnquist. While it’s not ideal to have a Justice resign mid-term, it’s not unusual, and under the circumstances and given the large Democratic majority in the Senate, I wouldn’t expect a lengthy confirmation battle.

For Stevens, the move would be a capstone to a remarkable and accomplished career. He would provide a measure of stability and confidence for his home state in its hour of need. Even as a junior and temporary Senator, he would command great respect from his colleagues in the Capitol. He was a practicing bankruptcy and antitrust lawyer, and would be an asset in dealing with the financial crisis. I’m sure he would see it as an interesting new challenge, and it would give him a chance to speak much more freely about the issues of the day than he can from his judicial chambers. Plus, there’s a vacancy on the Judiciary Committee — wouldn’t it be neat to watch Senator John Paul Stevens questioning the nominee to succeed Justice John Paul Stevens ?

So what would happen in 2010, assuming Stevens doesn’t want to run for a full Senate term and isn’t ready to retire at age ninety ? Well, President Obama could always appoint him to a judicial opening then — surely there will be a seat somewhere, either on the Seventh or D.C. Circuit, or even a district court. Stevens might decide to take senior status immediately, freeing him to sit by designation around the country, and opening that judgeship right back up.

Okay, I know none of this is going to happen. But Illinois could do (and has done) a lot worse than Stevens. And my guess is it would be more interesting than seeing whatever actually comes from this mess. So my vote is Stevens for Senate !