What is it with Illinois? Why do they put up with such rampant corruption in their politics? Are the hinterlands afraid to take on the Chicago thug political machine, or are they part of it? Here’s the latest outrage: While Delaware and West Virginia have found ways to seat their Democratic Senate replacement winners on the day the lame duck session opens, Illinois says it can’t seat Republican Mark Kirk until Nov. 29 because of “paperwork.” Give. Me. A. Break:
The seeming inability of unnamed Illinois officials to complete “paperwork” as required by law in a timely manner contrasts mightily with West Virginia and Delaware, where no such delays will delay seating Joe Manchin and Chris Coons, respectively, who will take office on the first day of the lame duck session. That both are Democrats replacing Democrats and thus won’t change the Senate’s partisan balance of power is probably not coincidental. Let’s not forget, either, that the Democratic political machine holding up Kirk’s appointment may be the most corrupt since Tammany Hall.
