Matthew Yglesias has a great article up about how the scandal brewing in Illinois regarding its Senate seat is quite the confluence of coincidences. It all relates to former Sen. Peter Fitzgerald breaking with the norms of how US Attorneys are usually appointed. From the article:

A ton of consequential things have sprung out from Fitzgerald’s decision to bring in Fitzgerald for basically quirky reasons. But it’s a reminder, I think, that the usual way of doing these appointments is pretty inadequate. Much better to look for serious professionals and see what kinds of corruption turn up elsewhere.

Link to article: Matthew Yglesias » The Fitzgerald Factor .