Durbin flip-flopped on filling seat

I watched Sen. Durbin's press conference on Dec. 9 related to the Blagojevich allegations, and for a brief moment he actually exhibited a rare sign of rationality. He suggested to the Illinois legislature that they enact a bill to cause a special election to replace Mr. Obama. The senator stated such bill should have large numbers of bipartisan support making a Blagojevich veto "pointless."

In addition, the following statement was posted on his Web site, "The General Assembly should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama." Durbin further stated in his press conference that, "It's better to let the people of the state speak and choose a person who will represent them at this critical moment in our nation's history."

Well, for a brief critical moment in history I was actually proud of Sen. Durbin. He seemed to be pushing for the best solution to this crisis and that is let the people decide on a successor to Mr. Obama.

Unfortunately the proud feeling did not last long. On the following day, Sen. Durbin and Harry Reid wrote and circulated a letter. The letter states that Blagojevich's resignation, followed by an appointment made by a new governor, would "be the most expeditious way for a new senator to be chosen and seated in a manner that would earn the confidence of the people of Illinois and all Americans."

So much for the special election and letting the people of the state speak. After a rare moment of rationality, Sen. Durbin reverted back to his usual arrogant and power-hungry method of politics, putting himself first and the people he represents last.

In my opinion, Sen. Durbin is a poor excuse for a senator. The people of Illinois deserve better. It is bad enough to have had three and likely soon a fourth governor going to prison, but there should be no tolerance for an obvious lack of competence in a United States senator.

Paul Wickland

Arlington Heights