Immediately following the Blagojevich arrest on Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin began pushing the idea of a special election to fill Illinois' vacant U.S. Senate seat.  At the time, there was great appetite for the proposal and numerous Democrats -- including President-elect Barack Obama -- echoed his call.  What followed was a bit of pushback from his fellow Democratic leaders in D.C. (who are nervous about losing the seat), as well as some logistical concerns from election authorities here at home.  Now the senior senator seems to be softening his stance a bit.  From Roll Call (subscription required):

“The best outcome is if our governor resigns and the lieutenant governor takes over, and we can at least consider the option of an appointment,” Durbin, Illinois’ senior Senator, said during a brief interview. [...]

“My preference is [a special election]. But I’m dealing with the reality of schedules, as one General Assembly leaves and another starts, of elections that are currently scheduled in 2009 and whether we can catch up with them to piggyback on, or the cost of them, if we can’t if we have to do an independent special election,” Durbin said. “All of these are elements that I’ve talked to the legislative leaders on, and they are wrestling with that.”

I'd prefer a special election as well.  Openness and voter involvement are what we need at this juncture, considering how Blagojevich's corrupt selection process shut so many out.  But with all these plates spinning at once, I understand the concern that it just might not be feasible. 

Of course, it also bears mentioning that Illinois Republicans are going to raise hell if the seat is ultimately filled by appointment.