Progress Illinois

Time is ticking for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to name Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate successor. The state’s chief executive -- who may have showed his hand on Thanksgiving Day by calling Rep. Danny Davis “Senator” on two different occasions -- insists he will go public with his choice around Christmas. That leaves just over three more weeks for the political pundits to guess who the unpredictable lawmaker might appoint.

Of course, who Blagojevich should choose and who he will choose are two very different questions. Today, the Sun-Times weighs in on the former, joining the SouthtownStar in endorsing Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. From their editorial:

We believe Jackson, 43, has the drive, the passion and the experience. In his 13 years in Congress, he has distinguished himself as a thoughtful, committed legislator who fights for what he thinks is right. [...]

Above all, we believe, Jackson shares the values and goals of the president-elect, a consideration of no small importance to us in making this endorsement. The voters of Illinois chose Obama twice—first for the Senate and then for president—and they deserve a replacement who fully shares the president-elect’s agenda.

The paper also singles out Attorney General Lisa Madigan as “one other superbly qualified candidate for the job,” but notes that it’s unlikely the governor would offer any favors to the Madigan clan.