Senate may seat Burris … eventually
posted at 12:20 pm on January 7, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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The AP reported this morning that the Senate had decided to seat Roland Burris, the replacement for Barack Obama appointed by scandal-tainted Governor Rod Blagojevich, after denying him yesterday. The AP then retreated from that report, but Senate Democratic leadership will meet with Burris today to find a way out of the box into which Blagojevich stuck them:
There is no deal by Senate Democrats to accept Roland Burris for President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant seat, a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid said, denying an Associated Press report to the contrary.
The AP also backed off its initial report, saying there is no final deal yet.
Senate Democratic leaders are sitting down with Burris in the Capitol this morning.
The AP said officials were searching for a way to let him take over Obama’s vacated Senate seat a day after they turned him away for having incomplete paperwork.
Eventually, Burris will get his seat, because he received his appointment from the only official who had the authority to make it. What choice do they have? All of Blagojevich’s other lawful actions within his authority will be valid, up to the point that the legislature impeaches and removes him or restricts that authority through legislation. Will bills he signs not go into law? Will his vetos not count? Not until he gets lawfully removed from the office to which he twice won election.
It makes for great theater but lousy civics. Burris should have had more self-respect than to agree to the appointment, let alone beg for it as he did from a suspected crook. However, he doesn’t, and the responsibility for this appointment doesn’t lie with the US Senate but with the Illinois legislature, which had the opportunity to strip Blagojevich of the authority to make the appointment by calling a special election instead. They worried that an election might result in a Republican victory … and Blagojevich exposed their concerns about petty party politics over serving the constituents.
Burris will get his seat by the end of the day. Democrats will not go to court to keep other Democrats from entering the Senate, regardless of the circumstances — and in the event, they have no legal right to block Burris.
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The most important question… when will Burris qualify for his lifetime Senate pension?
mankai on January 7, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Harry Reid = Giant lifetime epic fail.
BadgerHawk on January 7, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The Senate has entered the Blagosphere!
jgapinoy on January 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Bunch of choad-smokers
LimeyGeek on January 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
The fact that Reid and Durbin had to keep saying they were not racist bugged the heck out of me. I guess Bobby Rush and his ilk won the day for Burris. “Post” Racial politics took one giant leap backward.
HawaiiLwyr on January 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM
If the signature was “ceremonial,” why didn’t he already sign the thing?
Do they really think we can’t see through these tissue-thin lies? (I know, I know.)
cs89 on January 7, 2009 at 12:30 PM
“Burris should have had more self-respect than to agree to the appointment”
Ed, u are HILARIOUS sometime — he’s a chicago pol!
:-)
:-)
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:30 PM
““Post” Racial politics took one giant leap backward.”
“post-racial”[spit] politics was an illusion from moment one, dear …
:-)
:-)
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
They’ll give him his seat. He’s black, and he refused to leave. Period.
That’s the standard democrat response to an “aggrieved” minority….100% prostration. That’s why they hate the Israeli “aggression” against Hamas and everything else that anybody does to face down a bully.
funky chicken on January 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM
“mankai on January 7, 2009 at 12:23 PM”
well, since duh1 has iirc, then i’m pretty sure if he makes it through ‘10 he’s golden …
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
We don’t they just impeach Blago?
Esthier on January 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM
what’s one more questionable senator in washington? may as well load it up. it’s all gonna hit the fan pretty soon anyways.
lorien1973 on January 7, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Burris is going to be an albatross around the Democrat’s necks. But, what the hell, if the shoe fits…
Socratease on January 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM
“Esthier on January 7, 2009 at 12:32 PM”
’cause they’re chicago pols too for the most part [!!]
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Are they waiting for Harry Reid’s check to clear?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on January 7, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Burris is a Democrat?
I haven’t read that anywhere.
faraway on January 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
The Burris appointment is all about a defense for Blago’s pay-for-play scam. He’ll claim: how could I have been running a pay-for-play scam when I appointed someone who (presumeably) wasn’t part of the alleged sceme. The seating of Burris will now be framed as exculpatory toward the charges of corruption.
Over30 on January 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
“faraway on January 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM”
HEH!
:-)
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:43 PM
DFL control, the comedy gift that keeps on giving.
Adams and Jefferson must be spinning in their graves over the current membership of Congress.
Bishop on January 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Will Obama meet with Burris without preconditions?
Firebird on January 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM
None whatsoever.
So let’s just let it play out and see what happens. It’s not going to hurt the right no matter what–as far as I can see, anyway.
Bob's Kid on January 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Spinning.. how about centerfuge? They are spinning so fast, they can make their own energy.
upinak on January 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
anything that makes dingy look like an ass is fine with me… thank you blago
maineconservative on January 7, 2009 at 12:49 PM
“Firebird on January 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM”
DOUBLE HEH!
Buckaroo on January 7, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Really great article by Mark Brown - Only Obama can stop Burris. It says it all!!!! But can we expect that from one who is busy riding the fence, voting PRESENT more than enough?
mkosin on January 7, 2009 at 12:51 PM
The new surgeon general reports that at this point there is no cure for Blago-cisms or Blago-cites, but the disease my indeed be airborne.
Rovin on January 7, 2009 at 12:52 PM
I don’t see it. There are other considerations. Blago would probably not have signed such legislation, and it would have taken time to override. He had plenty of time to make the appointment. They may not have been eager to permanently change the mechanics of government over this. They would have been without a senator for months waiting for the election.
All of this would have been prevented if the people of Illinois had elected an honest politician. I’m afraid that they still don’t get it.
Amphipolis on January 7, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Reports are now saying that Reid will now allow Burris to be seated.
Translation = the dims have done polling to determine Burris’s chances of winning in 2010 and evidently are satisfied with the results!
thegeneral on January 7, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I did contact our state legislators in Illinois yesterday - one is republican, the other democrat. I told the (R) representative that they should really use their chance to clean house in Illinois - I know the republicans are the minority, but that is often how things are done - the minority making LOTS of noise… I told the (D) senator that I was very disappointed in him and his party for not avoiding this debacle!!! Of course, I have not heard from either yet. I will try to let you know what they say once I hear back - I am in close contact with both of them, mostly on business issues - so I normally get a response from both.
mkosin on January 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM
His affiliation should be obvious enough. I don’t think this is a corrupt MSM hiding the party affiliation game. Burris hasn’t done anything wrong.
Esthier on January 7, 2009 at 1:03 PM
I predicted this whole protest was a sham, and it was. Reid and Obama want to avoid a special election and accepting Burris does that. Plus Reid did not want to look like some racist barring a black man from coming into the big house (or Senate as the case may be).
Blago’s acts were actually welcomed.
Mr. Joe on January 7, 2009 at 1:06 PM
“Burris should have had more self-respect than to agree to the appointment, let alone beg for it as he did from a suspected crook. ”
and how exactly does that make him worse than kennedy, kerry, dodd, reid, pelosi, shummer, frankenstein, etcetcetc?
as i’ve said before, he will instantly be one of the most honest Dem Senators. It’s not even a contest.
notagool on January 7, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Burris is motivated by two things in his search for the Senate seat: another line on his marble mausoleum resume, and that Senate lifetime pension.
He will lose the 2010 election to everyone who challenges him, as he is a 71 year old doofus. Every Illinois Democrat who is not in prison will challenge him in the primary, and anyone on the GOP side who isn’t already lining up support should retire.
Jaibones on January 7, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Legally Reid has no right to block Burris. If push comes to shove Burris can hand Reid his lunch. I think Reid’s power grab will backfire and he will have to resign in disgrace after the base sees this as racist. The converstations Reid had with Blogo prove it. Time will tell.
kanda on January 7, 2009 at 1:15 PM
This is all very sloppy - Reid is a tool to posture like this and he will only have to back down.
I’d like to say that the Republicans are better but they aren’t really? Stevens, Foley, etc…
It is an embarassment. Thankfully The One has kept his distance and therefore his Halo is still intact.
Ares on January 7, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Actually, the most-important question is who got more from Burris; Hot Rod or Dingy Harry?
steveegg on January 7, 2009 at 1:26 PM
MyFOXChicago.com reports that Burris — the former Illinois attorney general who has been appointed by Blagojevich to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat — held a 2006 fundraiser for the governor at his home. Burris and his lobbying firm also donated $22,295 to Blagojevich’s campaign, according to MyFOXChicago.com. Over the past four years, Burris’ lobbying firm reportedly won $705,435 in state contracts. And Burris’ longtime lobbying partner Fred Lebed is a board member of the Christian Industrial League — the same group that hired Blagojevich’s wife Patricia.
kriscoleman on January 7, 2009 at 1:34 PM
This whole tantrum is a staged event. Blago saved the Dems from possibly losing a special election. Reid and Obama just needed some plausible deniability and appear not to be linked to Blago.
Now the trifecta will be complete when Princess “You know” Kennedy and Caligula’s back half of the horse, Al Franken get into the Senate.
The greatest show on Earth. Too bad it is a circus.
Mr. Joe on January 7, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Does this mean there is some connection between Burris and Blogo? I can’t believe it. It sounds like Blogo was selling the senate seat to Burris. Why that would be…unethical Say it ain’t so Blogo!
kanda on January 7, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Because Mayor Daley hasn’t given the go ahead. Remember which state in which our soon to be President filthy leader
emerged from the ooze of racist partisan politics.
highhopes on January 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Why is HA falling for all this staging?
Feinstein’s comments were planned strategy by the Democrats, Reid postures, then grudging obligatory seating - which they knew they desperately needed in the first place.
Instead, we plunge into all this one party ’save face’ campaign to feign-indignation-over-Burris-but-do-the-right-thing-in-the-end-for-the-party-since-we-need-his-vote.
Starlink on January 7, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Just as I predicted. No special election and the Dems get another senator. Take a bow Barry, Blago et al. Great job!
RMR on January 7, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Ever since Harry Reid started protesting, I knew he would have to cave, since there are NO legal hurdles that will prevent Burris. Reid is a tool, I have no idea how he keeps getting re-elected. Can anyone in his constituency please enlighten us?
peter_griffin on January 7, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I’m shocked, SHOCKED, that there’s quid pro quo going on in Illinois.
Round up the usual suspects!
mankai on January 7, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Blago = cojones
Reid/Obama = ping pong balls
Burris = big, fat retirement package
Entelechy on January 7, 2009 at 2:07 PM
This is a friggin valuable thing, compared to one’s dignity and self-respect.
Mark30339 on January 7, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Prediction 1: 6 months from now 89% of the American public will have no idea who Roland Burris is.
Prediction 2: In 2010, Burris will win 63% of the vote in his re-election bid.
angryed on January 7, 2009 at 2:18 PM
If one needs any more to tell one about the caliber of such a pathetic little man, I have no idea what it would be. Clearly it would be better to just pick a senate from out of a phone book listing.
MB4 on January 7, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Why pick on Burris? He is probably better qualified to be in the senate than half the dem clowns already there. I also don’t think he begged Blago for the seat. That was just Blago throwing a curve ball into the system. Of course, a special election would have been better but it wasn’t in the democratic playbook. Burris doesn’t bother me. The one that does is Franken and his totally stolen election.
duff65 on January 7, 2009 at 2:28 PM
I meant to say senator. Must have been one of those Freudian slips that I said senate.
MB4 on January 7, 2009 at 2:31 PM
He has more qualifications then Obama, so if he is not worthy of a Senate seat…well, you fill in the rest.
right2bright on January 7, 2009 at 3:09 PM
It’s curtins for Hairy Reid. From Judicial watch….
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of an Illinois resident against the United States Senate for denying former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris his rightful position as the junior Senator from Illinois. In accordance with the U.S. Constitution and Illinois state law, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appointed Burris to fill the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama. Nonetheless, at the direction of Senate leaders, Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erikson rejected Mr. Burris’ appointment and has denied him entry to the U.S. Senate. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of John Vincent, a longtime Illinois resident. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and names as defendants the United States Senate, and its Secretary and Sergeant At Arms.
According to the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a state’s governor, with authority from the legislature, may appoint a Senator in the event of a vacancy. Illinois law specifically states: “When a vacancy shall occur in the office of the United States Senator from this state, the Governor shall make temporary appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of representatives in Congress, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election, and the senator so elected shall take office as soon thereafter as he shall receive his certificate of election.”
kanda on January 7, 2009 at 5:35 PM