Even if Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich resigns or is impeached, Illinois voters will not get to decide Barack Obama’s replacement. Instead, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will appoint the candidate of his choice. The purpose? To make sure the seat stays in Democratic hands in the wake of a scandal that has rocked the Illinois Democratic Party.

“We need leadership from majority Democrats in the Legislature; instead, what we are getting is the same old insider political games,” Deputy Republican Leader Christine Radogno said. “Frankly, after the past week, most people in Illinois are wondering how much more embarrassment the state must endure. Apparently, legislative Democrats think the state needs more embarrassment.”

In a news conference Tuesday, Mr. Obama backed away from his earlier call for a special election. “I’m going to let the state Legislature make a determination in terms of how they want to proceed,” he said.

Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, has the power to make the appointment, but he was arrested last week and charged with trying to sell the seat. The Legislature had been considering a bill that would strip Mr. Blagojevich of his power to fill the seat but has since dropped that bill. Now, if Mr. Blagojevich resigns or is impeached, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will fill the seat, ensuring it remains in Democratic hands.

Which may explain why Obama gave a non-answer to John McCormick’s question about the special election. He doesn’t feel like being at odds with Illinois Democrats who, for entirely political purposes, don’t want the decision left in the hands of voters.