By IL Public Radio
Bloomington, IL – IF ILLINOIS' JUNIOR U-S SENATOR WINS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THIS FALL, THE SENIOR SENATOR HOPES THE GOVERNOR CAREFULLY WEIGHS HIS CHOICES BEFORE SELECTING A SUCCESSOR.
ONE OPTION FOR ROD BLAGOJEVICH IS TO PICK HIMSELF TO SUCCEED BARACK OBAMA IN THE SENATE.
EARLIER THIS WEEK BLAGOJEVICH REFUSED TO DISCOUNT THAT OPTION. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR DICK DURBIN SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD PICK SOMEONE ELSE.
DURBIN SINGLED OUT FORMER MINNESOTA GOVERNOR WENDELL ANDERSON, WHO SELECTED HIMSELF TO SUCCEED VICE PRESIDENT WALTER MONDALE IN THE SENATE 32 YEAR AGO. THE POLITICAL BACKLASH RESULTED IN A REPUBLICAN TAKEOVER OF MINNESOTA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IN 1978.
AMONG THOSE THOUGHT TO BE ON THE GOVERNOR'S SHORT LIST TO SUCCEED OBAMA ARE JESSE JACKSON JUNIOR AND JAN SHACKOWSKY FROM CONGRESS, ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN, COMPTROLLER DAN HYNES AND VETERANS AFFAIRS CHIEF TAMMY DUCKWORTH.
