Politicos Jockey for Obama's Senate Seat

Now that Barack Obama is officially headed for the Oval Office, Illinois’ political class has turned its attention to his Senate replacement, Time reports. The choice rests with unpopular Democratic governor Rod Blagojevich, who is no doubt looking for a pick that will save his own political skin. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr has been frequently mentioned.

Jackson, a national co-chairman of Obama’s campaign, says he’d be “honored and humbled” to take the seat, the only one currently held by an African American. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has also expressed interest, and state Attorney General Lisa Madigan is also seen as a possibility, though she could return to run for governor when the Senate term is up in 2010. (More Illinois stories.)