Blago to name senate replacement

[ne1410s]

Gov. Rod(according to Yahoo) has scheduled a 3 pm CST news conference to name former Illinois Attorney General, Roland Burris, to the vacant senate seat of BHO. I didn't think Burris had that kind of money.

[peacock2121]

sigh

I am so appalled that I hear myself saying "I don't care."

I do care.

That is how appalled I am.

[BigDrawMan]

i thoought oprah would get it

[Bob78164]

The initial reaction of the Senate's leadership was that they wouldn't seat anyone Blagojevich appointed. If I'm reading today's stories correctly, they've modified that stance, and correctly so. The problem is that, pursuant to the Adam Clayton Powell case, the Senate can't refuse to seat someone for any reason other than a failure to satisfy the requirements of the United States Constitution. Blagojevich may be (almost certainly is) corrupt and venal, but he's still the Governor of Illinois and therefore he still has the power to make the appointment, and Burris meets the age, citizenship, and residency requirements, so he's Constitutionally eligible to take the seat.

The stories I've seen today say that the Senate Democratic Caucus won't seat him, which I understand to mean as a member of the Caucus. If I'm right, Burris will still be a Senator. But until and unless he wins a special election to fill the remainder of Obama's term he'll be a legislative pariah with no committee assignments and no influence other than his floor vote. --Bob

[mrkelley23]

He has to be certified by the Illinois SecState first, which is far from a done deal.

Local paper was funny today, interviewing Illinois officials who were trying to find precedent for impeachment.

[Bob78164]

He has to be certified by the Illinois SecState first, which is far from a done deal.

The story I saw in today's Los Angeles Times said that the certification, although customary, is not necessary for the appointment to be effective. My memory of the story is that the Illinois Secretary of State acknowledged this to be correct.

I don't know Illinois law, but my guess is that even if the certification were necessary, it would be a "ministerial" (rather than discretionary) act that could be compelled, if necessary, by the Illinois courts. --Bob

[Thousandaire]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

[Beebs52]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

Who cares?

[peacock2121]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

Who cares?

Beebs, you be bad!

[Beebs52]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

Who cares?

Beebs, you be bad!

I blame Rexer.

[peacock2121]

Who cares?

Beebs, you be bad!

I blame Rexer.

It costs too much money to blame him.

I blame Dubya.

That is free.

[Estonut]

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

Presumption of innocence is hard to maintain when the evidence is recorded and available on the web for the world to see. Much like presumption of empathy.

[Bob78164]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

This isn't a criminal trial. If you were an employer, would you agree that you need proof beyond a reasonable doubt before you can fire an employee? --Bob

[lilyvonschtupp26]

to give you insight into the personality of Roland Burris, he's already had his tombstone inscribed with all his accomplishments, but left room for 'governor' since that was his ultimate goal. I'm sure there's room for U.S. senator instead.

http://flickr.com/photos/southbound_07/ ... 4/sizes/l/

[Bob78164]

Burris has filed a Complaint for Mandamus with the Illinois Supreme Court, asking the Court to compel Secretary of State White to certify the Certificate of Appointment. As predicted, he's arguing that the certification is a ministerial act as to which Secretary White has no discretion. --Bob

[Dawn Clark Netsch]

Any of the other 49 states want to adopt me? I have given up on the Land of Lincoln.....

[SportsFan68]

I think Blago should appoint a Senator. How does it serve Illinois' interests to not have one just because Blago (allegedly) screwed up?

And those who have abandoned the principle of presumption of innocence are just as bad as Blago.

This isn't a criminal trial. If you were an employer, would you agree that you need proof beyond a reasonable doubt before you can fire an employee? --Bob

No. In my HR life, we fired sumguy for pulling an illegal stunt on the job. I told him that we would reinstate him if his case went to trial and he got a not guilty verdict. Never happened.

[Bob78164]

I've read the opinion of the Illinois Supreme Court denying Burris's request for a Writ of Mandamus. Although Burris technically lost, it appears to me that he actually won.

The basis for the Court's ruling is that the Secretary of State's signature is unnecessary because the Governor's signature on the letter of appointment is all that is necessary to complete the appointment process. So we have the Illinois Supreme Court ruling that the appointment is legal. Moreover, to the extent a certification from the Secretary of State is necessary to satisfy the Senate's requirements, the Court points out (on page 9 of the opinion) that anyone, by paying a $10 fee, is entitled to a sealed and certified copy of any official record of the state. The Secretary's registration of the Governor's appointment, which did happen, is such a record. Thus, Burris can get the Secretary's signature and seal, albeit not on the precise form the Senate wants.

I'm pretty sure now that Burris will end up in that seat. --Bob

[ne1410s]

I hope initials are the only thing Blago and Burris share.

[Bob78164]

I'm pretty sure now that Burris will end up in that seat. --Bob

It's all over but the shouting. --Bob