Gov. Blagojevich has few options left to cash in on Obama's vacant Senate seat now that he was arrested for trying to auction it off. But he still has the power to appoint anyone he wishes as long as they meet the minimum Constitutional requirements of 30 years of age, a US Citizen for nine years and an inhabitant of the state. The Governor could then appoint his wife, Patti, and she could earn $169,300 per year plus expenses.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised to block any Senate appointment by the Governor presumably under Section 5 of the US Constitution which states "Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members." As the Chicago Tribune points out, the US Supreme Court has ruled in Powell v McCormick that the House or Senate can only consider the Constitutional requirements when making that determination. Since Patti meets the requirements, she would be seated.The...(Read Full Post)