Shakespeare could not have scripted a more tragic fate for Obama's old Senate seat: A Democratic governor charged with trying to sell the seat appoints his replacement, Roland Burris, who gives misleading statements about his relationship with the governor and then reluctantly announces his retirement. In a blue state tarred by Democratic corruption, Republicans now have an unlikely opportunity to pick up a seat. Polls show the leading Democrat and Republican (state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Representative Mark Kirk, respectively) in the race to be in a dead heat, with the trial of former governor Rod Blagojevich set to begin on June 3, just in time for the general-election campaign.