I don’t think it’s going to be the determining factor, but seeing as how he is the only black Senator it might get some consideration. (Then again, they said the same thing about Sandra Day O’Connor’s Supreme Court spot when she retired.)
Doesn’t matter for who, exactly? That’s an exceptionally broad statement.
BG some prefer tyranny of the minority so long as they are the minority in charge of course.
Hard to know if Carol is arguing a libertarian perspective, or for more local control and representation at a more granular level than statewide office, or just whining that his/her POV often loses in Illinois because of all those damn liberals (and moderates) in the Chicago metro area. I think it’s that.
Whatever.
Back to the op. Remember it? So Lisa Madigan would be good but might not want it and might not be offered. Duckworth good. Jesse Jackson Jr. would be good. Schakowski not off the table. (Come to think of it, that’s a nice diverse crowd of qualified people for a Midwestern state!) Statewide for election they’d probably play well in that descending order. I think any of 'em would be good Senators. I wonder who would try on the GOP side next election? Oberwiess never seems to quit or run out of money to waste. Probably even Schakowski would win just because there isn’t much competition left in Illinois.
But O’Connor wasn’t the only woman on the Supreme Court when she retired.
I know. But there was some speculation that her seat would become a female seat permanently - and the first nominee for her post was a woman. Since Obama is getting a “promotion,” I don’t think it will be considered necessary to appoint a black Senator to replace him. But I can see where it will get some thought.
Ahhh…I see what you’re saying now. Of course, that first nominee was Harriet Miers, so it’s not like they were trying to make it a distinguished permanently female Supreme Court seat…
I’d say the only fair thing would be to appoint the runner-up from the election. Hello, Senator Alan Keyes! 