The Hiller Instinct: Senator Dianne Wilkerson

So this is what her legacy turns out to be: a perp walk in a federal court house...a walk she's taken before. In fact, since she was elected to the State Senate in 1992, Wilkerson has made news more often for breaking the law than for making it.

And she can be her own worst enemy.

For example, in 1997, when she claimed she hadn't paid federal taxes in four years because she needed the money to protect herself:

"I got a death threat. I got a threat that was made to me on the phone in my house. Told me how much they paid for the contract, and said that there was no more room in... Southie for no more--the n word--it's a word I don't use," Wilkerson said.

But her allegation was never proven... and the charge that stuck was that she would play the race card to save herself.

Now it looks like she won't be able to save herself again. All that's left for her to give is an apology. And you don't even have to wait for it: we can just replay one she gave more than a decade ago:

"I take responsibility for that disappointment that you may be feeling. I apologize to you. I apologize to you!" Wilkerson said in 1997.

Dianne Wilkerson has gotten more than her share of sympathy, empathy and--most importantly--votes.

She doesn't deserve any more.

No one should write her in next week.

Fair and square, it's time to write her out.

I'm Andy Hiller and that's my instinct.

(Copyright (c) 2008 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)