According to CNN, Senate Democrats have a plan in the event Roland Burris shows up to take Obama's vacant seat. They plan to block him from entering the chamber.
And this has been the buzz around Washington since scandal-ridden Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Burris as Obama's replacement.
The Democrats in the Senate don't want the appearance of corruption by allowing a man appointed by a Governor under federal indictment to take a Senate seat that the Governor allegedly attempted to sell.
But another major problem has surfaced that may be even more problematic for the Democrats. Burris would be the only Black Senator in the chamber. And his proponents have already begun spinning the issue to make it all about race.
Senate Democrats don't want to appear racist by refusing a seat to the Senate's only black member.
So, it all comes down to this. What a travesty.
Illinois should conduct a special election for the Senate seat. This is the only fair way to determine who serves in the seat vacated by Barack Obama.
Showing posts with label Blago appoints Senator to fill Obama's seat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blago appoints Senator to fill Obama's seat. Show all posts
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Legal Issues in Blago Appointment of Burris
Legal issues involved in Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointment of former Illinois Attorney-General Roland Burris to fill Obama's vacant Senate seat may prevent Senate Democrats from doing anything to stop it.
The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. Senate has stated that it would refuse to allow Burris to become a member of Congress due to the scandal surrounding Blagojevich's alleged scheme to sell the Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Barack Obama agrees.
But according to Eugene Volokh at The Volokh Conspiracy, legal precedent established by cases such as Powell v. McCormack would prevent a court from ruling in favor of blocking Burris, should that action be challenged in the judicial system.
Under normal circumstances I would agree. But this case is different in that the Governor who is making the appointment is under a federal indictment for attempting to sell that very Senate seat to the highest bidder.
The fact that Burris himself may not be corrupt or that Blagojevich is not engaging in corruption for making this particular appointment is beside the point. The point is that Blagojevich's involvement in possible federal crimes having to do with that very Senate seat should automatically disqualify him from making the appointment.
The Democratic Caucus of the U.S. Senate has stated that it would refuse to allow Burris to become a member of Congress due to the scandal surrounding Blagojevich's alleged scheme to sell the Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Barack Obama agrees.
But according to Eugene Volokh at The Volokh Conspiracy, legal precedent established by cases such as Powell v. McCormack would prevent a court from ruling in favor of blocking Burris, should that action be challenged in the judicial system.
Under normal circumstances I would agree. But this case is different in that the Governor who is making the appointment is under a federal indictment for attempting to sell that very Senate seat to the highest bidder.
The fact that Burris himself may not be corrupt or that Blagojevich is not engaging in corruption for making this particular appointment is beside the point. The point is that Blagojevich's involvement in possible federal crimes having to do with that very Senate seat should automatically disqualify him from making the appointment.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
OUTRAGE! Blago Names Obama's Senate Replacement
In an act of brazenness on a scale that has rarely been seen in the history of U.S. politics, the scandal-ridden Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, has named a successor to fill Obama's vacant Senate seat.
Blago's choice, which was announced at a news conference late this afternoon in Chicago, is former Illinois Attorney-General Roland Burress, who contributed heavily to Blago and Obama-Biden.
Senate Democrats, to their credit, repeated their intention to refuse to seat anyone Blago appoints to the seat, which is their Constitutional privilege.
The appointment stunned political observers, particularly since Blago himself stated 2 weeks ago that he would not make such an appointment while he is under federal investigation.
Fox News has the complete story, including reaction from Illinois legislators, here.
Blago's choice, which was announced at a news conference late this afternoon in Chicago, is former Illinois Attorney-General Roland Burress, who contributed heavily to Blago and Obama-Biden.
Senate Democrats, to their credit, repeated their intention to refuse to seat anyone Blago appoints to the seat, which is their Constitutional privilege.
The appointment stunned political observers, particularly since Blago himself stated 2 weeks ago that he would not make such an appointment while he is under federal investigation.
Fox News has the complete story, including reaction from Illinois legislators, here.
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