* A relatively meaningless special US Senate election is all but ordered…

Acting after a series of directions from the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Judge John Grady said he is inclined to hold a special election to fill the rest of Mr. Obama’s term on Nov. 3, the same day as the regularly scheduled election.

Judge Grady also is inclined not to hold a special primary election but to allow the political parties to fill their ballot slots by vote of their central committees.

Also appearing on the ballot would be independent candidates who already have qualified for the six-year vote by filing petitions with at least 25,000 signatures, Judge Grady indicated.

Appointed Sen. Roland Burris is already attempting to turn this into yet another Illinois political spectacle…

Tom Wright, an attorney representing Burris, said using the nominees already on the ballot for the special election would deny Burris and other interested individuals the opportunity to serve the 60-day period.

Wright went on to say he believed Burris at least deserves the opportunity to see out the remainder of the term.

“No one else can come up to speed like that. No one else has the staff that’s already on top of these issues. No one else would be in a better position to finish this office,” he said.

But Grady emphasized that legally, Burris cannot receive preferential treatment in retaining the Senate seat and must be considered the same as any other citizen interested in the 60-day term.

Burris might be expected to push the state party to hold open hearings on whom they appoint to the ballot. That would be just one more opportunity to show to the world how thoroughly screwed up the Democrats are here.

* Related…

* Illinois parties could skip primaries

* Rules set for special election in Ill. Senate race

* Voters will vote twice Nov. 2 for Senator; no primary to fill remainder of Obama term; Burris tenure to be cut short

* Special election for Burris Senate seat close to resolution

* Special election for Obama seat near certain

* Special Election Likely, though Candidates Unclear

* Will you have to vote for one or two U.S. senators?