• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Blago's To Name Us Senator

This is all because the Illinois Dems realized that holding a special election, which they originally called for, might actually result in the unacceptable outcome of the voters electing a Republican to the Senate. So they reneged on that decision. You can't leave such an important decision like that in the hands of lowly voters, so they decided to let Blago's likely successor, Pat Quinn, pick a Dem for the Senate seat.

Of course, Blago could drag this out for months leaving Illinois with only 1 senator for the foreseeable future as the Senate will likely refuse to seat Burris.
 
It looks like Blago is going to name former IL Attorney General Roland Burris. Here's more news on it...

Report: Obama Senate Replacement To Be Named
Embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to name former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris as his pick to fill Barack Obama's seat in the U.S. Senate, setting up a challenge with congressional leaders who have already said they plan to reject anyone the governor picks, the Associated Press is reporting.

State Senate President Emil Jones said Tuesday that Burris told him about the appointment, the news service reported.

The Democratic governor has scheduled a news conference for Tuesday afternoon. His aides won't say what it's about. ...
Click to expand...

What I'm interested in seeing is how the U.S. Senate reacts to this appointment. I certainly hope they follow through on their threat to not accept anyone Blago appoints. Should be fun to watch :rolleyes:
 
Why would Burris or anyone for that matter, accept this appointment?
 
WildCat said:
This is all because the Illinois Dems realized that holding a special election, which they originally called for, might actually result in the unacceptable outcome of the voters electing a Republican to the Senate. So they reneged on that decision. You can't leave such an important decision like that in the hands of lowly voters, so they decided to let Blago's likely successor, Pat Quinn, pick a Dem for the Senate seat.
Click to expand...

Is anyone here at all surprised by this? I'm certainly not - in fact, I predicted that this is precisely what would happen (better hit rate so far than Sylvia Browne :)) If the table's were turned, the Illinois GOP would have done exactly the same thing. No party is going to put themselves into a position where they might lose a U.S. Senate seat when it is otherwise a sure thing.

Of course, Blago could drag this out for months leaving Illinois with only 1 senator for the foreseeable future as the Senate will likely refuse to seat Burris.
Click to expand...

Yes, one thing is for sure - the drama will continue for some time to come.
 
Some people are wondering if the Senate has the power to refuse an appointment like this, one being Jeff Greenfield of CNN.

I think you're wrong about saying the Senate has full power not to seat the Gov's pick. In Powell vs McCormick, a 1969 case involving Adam Clayton Powell, the Supreme Court said, 7-2, that a house of Congress does NOT have such power-they can judge "qualifications" in the Constitutional sense (age, citizenship, etc). And they can judge elections, but say nothing about appointments. (Nate Silver did a great piece on this awhile back).

They can probably EXPEL a member as they see fit--though the Court's decision does not make that clear---but on what grounds? Just because they don't like the guy who picked him?
Click to expand...
 
boloboffin said:
Some people are wondering if the Senate has the power to refuse an appointment like this, one being Jeff Greenfield of CNN.
Click to expand...
I think the difference is if there is evidence the person was selected for illegal reasons.

Much like the double jeapordy clause in the Constitution doesn't apply if it can be shown the judge who issued the acquittal did so because he was bribed.
 
Alt+F4 said:
Why would Burris or anyone for that matter, accept this appointment?
Click to expand...


Agreed, since when he gets to the US Senate he will be treated like something the cat dragged in before they refuse to seat him or seat him followed by immediate expulson.
 
The U.S. Senate reacts to Blago's pick...

Senate Dems say they won't seat Obama replacement

Senate Democrats are refusing to seat the man picked by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Blagojevich plans to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones says that Burris has told him about the appointment.

In Washington, Senate Democrats say that no one appointed by the scandal-tarred governor would have the credibility to serve. ...
Click to expand...

I wonder how far, if at all, this will play out in the courts? Very interesting.
 
dudalb said:
Agreed, since when he gets to the US Senate he will be treated like something the cat dragged in before they refuse to seat him or seat him followed by immediate expulson.
Click to expand...


There will be much public bluster, then the democrats will be glad to have one more vote and it's back to business.
 
kallsop said:
There will be much public bluster, then the democrats will be glad to have one more vote and it's back to business.
Click to expand...


I really doubt this.
And I have to remind you that the Dems don't have a monopoly on corruption. The previous Governor of Illnols,now residing in Joliet, was from the GOP......
You come off like a SNL parody of a die hard Republican, you know that?
 
dudalb said:
And I have to remind you that the Dems don't have a monopoly on corruption.
Click to expand...


You have the typical media template exactly backwards.

Where there's money and power and humans, there's corruption. Newsflash from Captain Obvious - the sun rises to the east tomorrow.
 
Hahaha, a reporter asked if his $14,000 donation to Blago's campaign was the reason for his appointment.

Burris feigns ignorance! LOL
 
Blago refuses to answer questions "because I don't want to take the limelight away from Roland Burris".

:dl:
 
Bobby Rush saying Burris should be a Senator because he's black.

You can't make this stuff up...
 
Last edited:
Wow. Just wow.
This gives us Californians a very rare chance to laugh at somebody else's state Government for a change.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom