The biggest strength of our justice system is that one is innocent till proven guilty.  Accordingly, I would give that benefit of doubt to Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.  On that basis and according to current laws in Illinois and USA, there is nothing that can stop him from doing his duties as a lawfully elected governor.

For all those who are afraid of endorsing an indicted governor, the message is that it is best to let the law take its course and in the meantime welcome Sen. Burris.

The Times writes, “Although federal prosecutors are seeking a corruption indictment of Mr. Blagojevich, he is in fact still the governor. The charges that he sought bribes to appoint certain candidates to the Senate do not automatically render illegal other official acts of his office like signing laws or pardoning criminals. And because there is no evidence that a bribe was solicited from, or proffered by, Mr. Burris, his appointment is presumptively lawful. Nor do the other arguments against Mr. Burris’s appointment hold up. The contention by the Democratic leadership that Mr. Burris can be denied a seat because the Illinois secretary of state refuses to sign his appointment papers is without merit — it would confer upon secretaries of state absolute veto power over governors’ appointments.”