Former Illinoix Gov. Rod Blagoevich’s ongoing antics could keep his memory alive long enough to affect the 2010 Illinois Senate race.

From the Politico

Illinois Democrats gathered in the Capitol this week with their new governor, Pat Quinn, to confidently declare an end to the Rod Blagojevich era.

“It’s over and done with, and the people of Illinois are mightily glad that it is,” Quinn said boldly Tuesday. “He’s yesterday’s tomatoes.”

Apparently neither Blago nor Republicans got that memo. Blagojevich spent the same day on NBC’s “Today” show, then headed for a lengthy interview on Fox News and finally capped it all off with an appearance on the “Late Show With David Letterman.”

Indeed, Blago is far from gone as a political problem for Democrats, as his presence — much like the specter of GOP scandal figures in 2006 — could linger over the 2010 campaign for the Illinois Senate seat.

If he is indicted on charges of attempting to sell President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat, among other alleged offenses, his criminal trial would likely get under way in early-to-mid 2010 — just as the campaign season heats up. Such a trial would undoubtedly reveal taped phone calls between Blagojevich, Democratic lawmakers and White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. The ex-governor may even call top Democrats to testify at a criminal trial. On Fox News Tuesday night, he refused to rule out going as far as calling Obama to the witness stand.

Just picture the tabloid headlines in the spring of 2010 if the trial gets under way. Republicans are almost giddy at the prospect, as they develop a strategy to continue hammering away at Democrats’ ties to the disgraced former governor.

At this point it would probably be sweet revenge for Blagoevich if he winds up being the catalyst for change in 2010.

 

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