This is possible, (a) if the case ever gets in front of a jury, (b) if the members of the jury even know or care that he appointed a black to fill Obama's seat, and (c) if it is a point that the prosecution and defense teams explore during jury selection. More likely, Blago is trying to show he has made an appointment free of the play-for-pay scheme Fitzgerald claims was going on. The fact that Burris is black is icing on the cake, and I have no doubt Blago picked a black man precisely to make the appointment much harder for the senate Dems to reject.
(b) if the members of the jury even know or care that he appointed a black to fill Obama's seat
(c) if it is a point that the prosecution and defense teams explore during jury selection
Believe me, this is all over Chicago and Illinois. Blacks are paying attention to what's going on with this seat. A group of Black ministers has already gotten involved in keeping it a Black seat. And now Bobbie Rush has spoken from his bomb factory... Beyond Blacks, there are few in Illinois not talking about the Blago scandal. We're all watching. And waiting to see how this comes down.
This is now part of the Blago story. And if/when it ever goes to trial, this will be part of the defense mix.
More likely, Blago is trying to show he has made an appointment free of the play-for-pay scheme Fitzgerald claims was going on.
This goes to his point #2; reasonable doubt. It doesn't take away from the above portion of their strategy.
Breaking per Fox News - Obama supports Senate Democrats not to seat Blao Aappointee.