Comments on: Burris Drama

By: merelymyopinion

merelymyopinion — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:20:43 +0000

Says Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page:

"Contrary to Rep. Bobby Rush's prediction, Roland Burris turned away at the door to the Senate did not look like a scene from the segregated 1960s in the South. It looked more like a disco in the 1970s where the bouncer ordered him to wait his turn behind the velvet rope.

By: coffee fiend

coffee fiend — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:40:04 +0000

it's crazy what Blagojevich has gotten away with already... he's an international embarrassment

By: 53_3

53_3 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:01:50 +0000

"Torture, illegal wiretapping, wrecking the economy - we can overlook. Bucking the rules? That is crossing the line, sir!!" . But why can't I just have a sharply worded memo, like everyone else? . Now where is Rahm Immanuel...

By: Art Pepper

Art Pepper — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:48:46 +0000

53_3: Now why in hell is Reid growing a backbone now?
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Same reason Reid is "well respected" amongst his colleagues; that Lieberman gets a pass; that Stevens could divert billions of $$ to Alaska; that Feinstein opposes Panetta.
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The Senate is a fraternity, and they care more about enforcing their weird social norms than they do about governance.
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Torture, illegal wiretapping, wrecking the economy - we can overlook. Bucking the rules? That is crossing the line, sir!!

By: jcapan

jcapan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:31:38 +0000

Calling it a drama doesn't make it one, except to the likes of Halp & Co. Blago is corrupt scum, but so are countless others--though they temper their hubris a bit more for the cameras (and FISA mikes).

But I personally don't care--I think they should seat him temporarily until IL gets their crappy house in order. Otherwise, do a real job and start posting on matters of real concern. You know, the cratering econ, two wars, the fact that our $/weaponry are being used to kill Gazans, that stuff, the less dramatic stuff. Note: no longer my $.

By: 53_3

53_3 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:10:40 +0000

The only time Reid grows a backbone is when he's been personally slapped.
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Just wish he coulda grown one a couple years ago...

By: plukasiak

plukasiak — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:00:19 +0000

Apparently, the rules of the Senate require the certificate of appointment to the Senate to be signed by both the Governor and the Secretary of State. Blago has signed, but the Illinois SOS, Jesse White, has not. So, as long as White continues to refuse to sign off on the certificate, Reid can continue refusing not to seat him
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unfortunately, its the US Constitution, and not the senate rules, that are relevant here. And the Constitution states:

When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided that the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the
legislature may direct.

Absent a requirement in Illinois law that the Sec of State must sign off on an appointment (and there is no such requirement - the power to appoint is given to the governor alone) the Senate has no authority to deny the people of Illinois their representation.

By: sgwhiteinfla

sgwhiteinfla — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:56:58 +0000

In a surprising move DiFi just came out publicly for seating Burris. First she hits Obama in the mouth yesterday over Paneta, today she bloodies Harry Reid's nose. Is she angling for Majority Leader?

By: 53_3

53_3 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:30:13 +0000

Now why in hell is Reid growing a backbone now? And why this? Is it because Blagojevich defied his warning?
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Reid is going to take the Democratic party through all types of embarrassment with this bit of determination. And, on top of it, they will lose. No questions there.
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Seat Burris. He didn't do anything wrong!
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He shoulda grown one of those backbones a while ago. You know, when it was the Republicans that needed standing up to...

By: wvng

wvng — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:42:06 +0000

We should start a pool here at Swampland to determine what day and hour Harry Reid caves in? Any takers?
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I suggest the pool is based on a false premise. If this were not good for repugs, (actually good for them) Reid would already have caved. He only disciplines Dems (see: Dodd, Senator Christopher).
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So I say Reid doesn't allow Burris in until an external force (the courts/ maybe?) makes him, or until the Repugs tire of the game.