* It’s really time that the media stops dragging President-Elect Barack Obama into every detail of Illinois politics. From the Tribune…

But we’d like to hear Obama say one thing loud and clear right now: The best thing for Illinois citizens would be to hold a special election to fill his Senate seat.

There’s no legal issue that stops Obama from expressing his views on this. It’s a critical decision for Illinois. Do we hold an election or leave the appointment of a senator in the hands of the governor?

Earlier in the week, when a Tribune reporter asked Obama about this, Obama said he would leave the decision to the legislature.

But Democratic leaders of the legislature are stalling. Obama can have some influence. He can push them publicly to set up an election. It should be held at the same time as 2009 municipal elections to minimize cost and get the position filled quickly.

Obama has promised to disclose his staff interactions with the Blagojevich people next week, per a request from the US Attorney…

“After the President-elect announced an internal transition team investigation, the United States Attorney’s Office requested a brief delay of the release of a report of that investigation to conduct certain interviews.”

Obama is no longer our US Senator (he resigned weeks ago), and he has a few more important things on his plate than every possible legislative decision.

Also, it’s probably more likely that we’ll get an impeachment and removal and, therefore, an appointment before a special election can be held. Keep that in mind as well. I’m basically an agnostic on this issue, but there is zero chance that the General Assembly will return before January to take up the matter (unless Blagojevich does something extremely stupid like attempt to make the appointment on his own, which his lawyer said he wouldn’t do).

* And I’m not sure that the IL GOP wants to make this argument…

Republicans have awakened from their post-George Ryan lethargy to campaign vigorously for a special election. But it’s possible the people’s best hope and the GOP’s best ally may be Ed Genson, Blagojevich’s lawyer and one of Chicago’s premier courtroom strategists.

Impeachment gives the Legislature wide leeway, so Genson’s quiver doesn’t hold as many legal arrows as in a courtroom. Still, his legal skills might be able to extend the impeachment process long enough for pressure to build to force lawmakers to schedule a special election.

Genson might try to take this matter into the federal courts, but that would almost assuredly be doomed. He won’t delay it long.

* Related…

* Republicans Revolt on RNC’s Obama-Blago Strategy

* Mikva not interested in replacing Obama in Senate; touts Rep. Jan Schakowsky for the seat

* Washington Post: We aren’t fans of gubernatorial appointments to the Senate. They are undemocratic and subject to abuse. Mr. Blagojevich’s alleged actions show in vivid detail the danger of putting that power in the hands of one person. The decision on who should represent the people of Illinois should rest in their hands.