Power play

The embarrassment for Democrats that is the Illinois Senate seat has become the gift that keeps on giving for amused Republicans.

On Tuesday, Democrats refused to accept the paperwork naming Roland Burris the successor to Barack Obama. Mr. Burris was appointed last week by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the vacancy, but Democrats want no part of him because of his connection to the state's scandal-plagued chief executive.

There are differing legal opinions as to the Senate's rejection of a legitimately appointed candidate. Mr. Blagojevich remains the governor of Illinois, and regardless of whether Democrats want him out of the picture, he is constitutionally empowered to make the appointment. Suffice it to say, the issue will be resolved in court.

Mr. Burris, a former state attorney general, is black. That has led some observers -- including Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. -- to play the race card. On a blog, one Burris consultant raised the issue in criticizing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's opposition to the selection.

We have many, many differences with Sen. Reid on policy issues -- and it's always amusing to watch the forces of political correctness attack one of their own -- but to imply that he would block Mr. Burris because of the color of his skin is patently absurd and downright idiotic.

In fact, this controversy boils down to one thing: Democrats don't want to lose the seat. Given Mr. Blagojevich's compromised position, a special election would have been the best solution. Many Democrats -- including President-elect Obama and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin -- initially supported that idea. But when it became apparent a Republican might actually be competitive thanks to the allegations that Blagojevich attempted to sell the appointment, excuses of "too costly" filled the air.

And now that Mr. Blagojevich has thumbed his nose at members of his own party and gone ahead with the appointment, Senate Democrats fret that if they seat Mr. Burris, they risk losing the seat in the next election.

Race? Nothing to do with it. Power? Absolutely.