Illinois governor wants Burris to resign

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Rod Blagojevich's replacement, Gov. Patrick Quinn, today called on Sen. Roland Burris, to resign. Burris should "act as quickly as possible for the best interests of Illinois," Quinn said. "This should not be a matter that takes weeks."

It seems unlikely that Burris will resign, at least not without a protracted fight to keep the job to which Blagojevic appointed him. Indeed, as TNR's Jason Zengerle points out, "the real story... is that Quinn is asking the legislature to set a special election within 115 days -- which would spell an end to Burris's temporary appointment," meaning that Burris might soon have to decide whether to seek the people's support to remain in office. But would he even be the Democratic nominee? That also seems unlikely. Would he run as an independent? Perhaps, but he'd surely lose.

Is there any way he could actually win a special election? Surely not.

Then again, this is Illinois we're talking about. Anything is possible.

For all our Burris coverage, including on this latest Blago-related scandal (with Burris lying repeatedly about his connections to the former governor prior to his appointment), see here.