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Harry Reid to pull a fast one

Sandhusker

Well-known member
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich before his arrest to argue against his appointing Democratic Illinois Reps. Jesse Jackson, Jr., or Danny Davis or State Senate President Emil Jones to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate "because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election."

Reid, the Sun-Times report says, favored the appointment of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

In other news, CNN reports that a Senate aide says that if former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, Blago's pick to replace Obama in the Senate, "tries to enter the Senate chamber, the Senate doorkeeper will stop Burris. If Burris were to persist, either trying to force his way onto the Senate floor or refusing to leave and causing a scene, U.S. Capitol Police would stop him ... They [police] probably won't arrest him, but they would call the sergeant-at-arms."
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
He's pulling a fast one because Blago is only under investigation ( he was under investigation when Obama helped get him elected) - he hasn't been convicted of anything and, as Governor of Illinois, has the right to fill Maobama's seat. Reid has no right to block Burris.
 

VanC

Well-known member
Burris is a good man, IMO. He's been a good public servant for Illinois for many years and there hasn't been a hint of scandal about him that I'm aware of, which is rare for someone who's been involved in Illinois politics as long as he has. :wink: Better yet, he's from southern Illinois, so he doesn't have the stench of Chicago hanging over his head. I even voted for him in the Dem primary when he ran against Blagojevich in 2002.

When I first heard about his appointment, I was a bit ticked, because I figured Blagojevich was just being a stubborn ass. But the more I think about it, the more I like it. He's well respected in this state and I think most people here will eventually come to accept him.

I think Blagojevich is scum, but he is still the governor and, under Illinois law, he is the one that's charged with the duty of appointing someone to fill Obama's seat. If Reid and his cronies don't like it, well, that's too bad. This should be about what's best for the people of Illinois, not the senate Democrats. Besides, I don't see how they could refuse to seat Burris and not come out looking bad, even if they legally could, which many people question.

I think Burris will be seated, will serve honorably for the next two years, and then retire.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
Update on Senate Seats 01/03/09

Minnesota Recount To Continue Today

Lots of Senate news today. The Minnesota canvassing board will begin counting 900 disputed absentee ballots today that both candidates have agreed on. The board hopes to finish tomorrow. However, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) has filed suit with the state Supreme Court asking to count an additional 2000 ballots (from Coleman-friendly counties). If he loses that case, he has promised to file another suit. By Monday morning we should have a final count unless the courts interfere.

Since Coleman has not been certified as the winner, when his term expires today at noon, he will cease to be a senator and will lose his desk on the Senate floor and his office. He will still be allowed to wander onto the Senate floor, however, as this courtesy is extended to all former senators.

More on the Illinois Senate Appointment

Whatever else can be said of Roland Burris, who has been appointed to Barack Obama's vacant seat in the Senate, he certainly has a sense of humility befitting a senator. In addition to naming his children Roland and Rolanda, he built himself a lovely mausoleum clearly suitable for a senator. Only it is not at all clear he will get to be a senator. It is likely that when he shows up at the Senate next week he will be barred from the floor and the issue of his seating will be referred to the rules committee, which will probably delay making a decision until after the near certain impeachment and probable conviction of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. If Blagojevich is convicted, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) will become governor. Ironically, although Burris won't be allowed onto the floor of the Senate, Blagojevich will be, as floor privileges are granted to all sitting governors.

Ritter Names Bennet to Salazar's Senate Seat

Gov. Bill Ritter (D-CO) has selected the head of the Denver public school system, Michael Bennet, to replace Sen. Ken Salazar, who is resigning later this month to become Secretary of the Interior. Bennet has never been elected to public office but he does have some political experience as chief of staff to Denver mayor John Hickenlooper. Bennet, at 44, will be the youngest member of the Senate. He will have to stand for election in 2010 although he is totally unknown in most of the state. It seems like a very strange pick. Hickenlooper and any one of several Democrats in the House would have seemed more natural choices. It will also be confusing, as we will now have a Sen. Bennet (D-CO) and a Sen. Bennett (R-UT).

Paterson Believed to be Close to Naming Kennedy to NY Senate seat

Yet another soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat may be close to having a new occupant. Sources close to Gov. David Paterson (D-NY) say that he is likely to choose Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's seat when she resigns to become Secretary of State. Clinton's term won't expire until 2012, so on Tuesday, when the Senate meets, she will continue to be a voting member of the Senate until she resigns. She has said she won't resign until she is confirmed for her new post.
 

Sandhusker

Well-known member
VanC said:
Burris is a good man, IMO. He's been a good public servant for Illinois for many years and there hasn't been a hint of scandal about him that I'm aware of, which is rare for someone who's been involved in Illinois politics as long as he has. :wink: Better yet, he's from southern Illinois, so he doesn't have the stench of Chicago hanging over his head. I even voted for him in the Dem primary when he ran against Blagojevich in 2002.

When I first heard about his appointment, I was a bit ticked, because I figured Blagojevich was just being a stubborn ass. But the more I think about it, the more I like it. He's well respected in this state and I think most people here will eventually come to accept him.

I think Blagojevich is scum, but he is still the governor and, under Illinois law, he is the one that's charged with the duty of appointing someone to fill Obama's seat. If Reid and his cronies don't like it, well, that's too bad. This should be about what's best for the people of Illinois, not the senate Democrats. Besides, I don't see how they could refuse to seat Burris and not come out looking bad, even if they legally could, which many people question.

I think Burris will be seated, will serve honorably for the next two years, and then retire.

Fox News reports that Obama has spoke in support of Reid. I guess we'll see if Democrats have any respect for the law and due process. We already know what Maobama thinks of the Constitution.
 

MoGal

Well-known member
OT: I think that Bennet from CO is pronounced Ba Nay.......... I wonder if this person is any relation to that little girl who was killed about 10 or more years ago..... I think her last name was spelled the same but pronounced as above.

I had to laugh, fourwinds10.com is saying Hillary won't resign because she's afraid she'll be arrested for her international crimes......... evidently they can't arrest someone while holding their seat.
 
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