Three seats in the US Senate are for sale- not one

It is interesting to me the magnitude of righteous indignation regarding Governor Blagojevich’s alleged consideration of exchanging the appointment to fill the vacated Illinois US Senate seat for money. After all, to exchange a political favor for cold hard cash is so ugly, undignified not to mention to illegal. In New York State, Caroline Kennedy has decided that it might be fun to be a member of US Senate. It would appear that New York Governor Paterson is going to appoint Kennedy. Her appointment would because she is the most qualified candidate. Kennedy would not be appointed because of her decades of service to the public. Governor Paterson is certainly going to gain something by the appointment of Kennedy. To think otherwise would be ludicrous and naïve. Patterson will gain political favor, access, and perhaps future political appointments. In Delaware, Governor Ruth Ann Minner is likely to appoint a placeholder individual to occupy the seat until which time Biden’s son will be able to run for the seat following his military obligation. It’s not likely that cash will be exchanged in this deal. However, both in New York and Delaware a transaction will be consummated. Blagojevich’s mistake was that he asked for money. When Blagojevich asked for a job or appointment no one cried foul. When he asked for money, the earth opened up on him and everyone acted with total disgust on even such a consideration. As the President-elect fills many of his political appointments over the next couple of months give some consideration as to how many of those are political payback for support, endorsements, or favors. A transaction brokered with a currency of a different type. There are many things more valuable than money.