Blago Appoints a Replacement.
Indicted and corrupt Gov. Rod Blagojevich has allegedly named former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. Burris is 71 years old and is the first African American to be elected statewide in Illinois. Thus, it is likely Burris will be acting as a placeholder here. And it is also likely there was no quid pro quo here between Burris and Blago for the seat (OMG!!! Dave Burris must be loving this, or rather, I am loving this since I get to link the names Burris and Blago). I say likely, but we will have to check that out because in Illinois for all politicians not named Obama or Emanuel, you never know.
Even still, the Democrats in the Senate may not seat Burris, or anyone appointed by Blago.
UPDATE: From the Talking Points Memo:
My home state’s culture of political corruption is well documented. Roland Burris managed to build a career in politics in this state without falling into that muck. He is, to the best of everyone’s knowledge, squeaky clean, and he’s highly respected. He’s 71 years old, so I wonder if he intends to serve as a caretaker. But he’s an honorable guy, well liked by people across the state in both parties. It’s a stroke of brilliance by Blagojevich in my opinion.
Hmmm… Once Blago appoints someone, isn’t his Constitutional duty done? Can he just tell the Senate “Seat him or don’t seat him, I did my job?”
That is a good question, anon. And I think you are right.
I think the Senate will seat Burris; Reid was just blustering to put pressure on Blago to resign.
Roland Burris had better stay squeaky, squeaky clean. And there should be a special election timed to coincide with the next primary race in Illinois, so as to save on cost.
And Rahm Emmanual better not return his phone calls until he is seated..
The IL Secretary of State has said that he will not certify the appointment, so until he does, Reid and the rest of the Senate Dems are off the hook. And shame on Bobby Rush for playing the race card at the press conference. He sound as though he had just finished off a pint of Jack Daniels.
i love it.
Blagaahrhrhah is causing some serious havoc!!!!
MJ
The SOS of Ill has already backed away from that statement. and Harry and his gang of white men will fold just like the Demos always do. And don’t forget that the supreme Court has already ruled 8 to 1 in the Clayton Powell case when the house attempted to unseat him. Also the Dem’s don’t want to go back to the days after the civil war when they refused to seat blacks from the south who were elected. And if that isn’t enough we need his vote along with big Al’s to get Obama’s platform passed
It would be a lawless act not to seat the man if a quick investigation shows him to be clean. You cannot deny a qualified person a seat for purely political reasons. It would be a worse precedent than the original allegations.
IL Dems are to blame for not passing a special election bill. As it is the Gov. has a legal obligation to see that his state is represented and the legal right to fulfill that obligation.
Seat him.