Blago, Blago, Blago

Quick update, and my two cents to SHEAm's newest pseudo-satirical abomination.

Apparently Roland Burris is under the impression that his appointment isn't an issue. While he might have a legitimate view that his appointment is fully legal and appropriate, he'd have to be living on another planet to not think it was a controversial move. For the first time this makes me question his ability to serve...

Providing some historical perspective: Obama backed Burris in the last statewide primary for the Governorship... over Blago. But Obama has agreed with the Senate Democrats that he should not be seated and that any appointment made by Blago while under scrutiny for trying to sell that very same seat is toxic.

Now on to commentary in response to SHEAm: let's get a few things straight. First off - Harry Reid is a pro-life Mormon from a relatively conservative state. Hardly a left-winger. And more importantly, he's a former boxer and used to run the Nevada Gaming Commission. While running the commission he was repeatedly threatened, had a bomb attached to his car, and served as an FBI informant and busted an attempted bribe from La Toya Jackson's manager. A character in the movie Casino was based on him. He also went to GWU. Translation: Don't mess with Harry Reid. He's badass.

As for the appointment: I think at this point very few people are making the argument that Blago cannot under any circumstances appoint Burris. The state Supreme Court made it clear that the Attny Gen can't remove him or suspend him for being 'incapacitated', etc. And I absolutely agree that anyone who is charged or indicted is innocent until proven guilty. The issue really boils down to: how can this guy even pretend to be functioning as Governor and doing the people's work when he spends the vast majority of his time hunkered down with legal counsel trying to fight these criminal charges?!? And it just adds insult to injury that not only is he making this appointment under a general cloud of scrutiny that would already undermine whomever he appointed, but Blago is being investigated for selling that very Senate seat!

All in all, it's a mess. Blago, step down for your own sake and the sake of your state.

Blago

I know Corrupt already commented on this - but I have a different opinion.

For the first time in a long time ... I can say that I respect a sitting Democratic Governor ... Rod Blagojavich is that man. He ... like all American people is innocent until proven guilty. And says he has done nothing wrong and will remain in his role as Governor - and he has the right to do that. Whether or not you disagree with his decision, it is his decision to make - and he is choosing to carry out the duties of his office.

Of course things just get even better ... in no surprising move at all the US Senate Democrats led by left-winger Harry Reid have announced they will not allow Mr. Blagojavich's nominee, Mr. Burris, to be sat. That is rich ... the Senate thinks they can prevent a fellow Senator from entering their body. I'm sorry Mr. Reid we have laws in this country. Please learn to uphold them. Even left-winger Corrupt has said that the 1969 SCOTUS ruling in Powell v. McCormack allows for Mr. Burris to be seated, no matter what Mr. Reid seems to think.

To add icing to the cake liberal mudslinger Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says he will refuse to certify Mr. Blagovich's appointment. Who do these people think they are?

I know almost everyone out there reading this will be up in arms about this post, including Corrupt, but I think Mr. Blagojavich is perfect within line. Nowhere in the Illinois Constitution is Mr. Blagojavich forced to resign for being accused of a crime. The man has not has his day in court.

Do I think he is guilty? Of course; he's a Democrat, they are all corrupt.
But the fact still stands the man is Governor and has the power to appoint anyone he so pleases to this seat.

Editors Note: This post is partially satire.

A little political news...

****President Bush continues to surprise me this month. In a little bit of a Christmas present, it seems that Bush has signed a piece of legislation that actually helps gay and lesbian couples. I know, I'm as confused as you are. There must be a catch...

The Worker, Retireee, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 makes it mandatory for businesses to roll over retirement benefits to a same sex partner should an employee die. Married heterosexual couples already enjoy this right (and thus avoid tax penalties), but the right is now being extended to same-sex couples. I'm glad to see Bush is joining the civilized world and at least helping us gain just a little more of the equality cookie. Better late than never!



**** Blago is making a Senate appointment- Despite the conventional wisdom of... well everyone, the embattled Illinois Governor is going to go ahead and apoint Obama's successor to the U.S. Senate. Word is he's going to appoint former state Attorney General Roland Burris to the seat. Blago and Burris are former rivals, yet Burris seems to be a safe choice and relatively uncontroversial. Also of note: Burris will be the 4th African American Senator in the body's history, and the third from Illinois. You read it here first! (hopefully)

UPDATE: The Democratic Caucus in the U.S. Senate, via Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and others are now saying that they will NOT seat Blago's pick of Burris. They issued the following statement outlining that while they respect Burris, anyone appointed by Blago is not acceptable:

"It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic Senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety. We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris's ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.

"Next week we will start one of the most important debates of the year - outlining an economic recovery plan to create jobs and invest in America. And in the coming weeks, we will be working to protect homeowners and consumers, make America more energy independent, strengthen our national security, and improve health care and educational opportunities. There is much work to do and a lot at stake. It is thus critical that Illinois and every other state have two seated Senators without delay.

"We again urge Gov. Blagojevich to not make this appointment. It is unfair to Mr. Burris, it is unfair to the people of Illinois and it will ultimately not stand. The governor must put the interests of the people of Illinois and all Americans first by stepping aside now and letting his successor appoint someone who we will seat."

There is some little precedent for individuals to not be seated in the Senate when there are questions about the propriety of the election that that individual won. Constitutionall, each house of Congress has the right to check the qualifications and election of all it's members. However, in the 1960s the House of Representatives refused to seat incumbent Adam Clatyon Powell due to charges of corruption. The case went to the Supreme Court and in an 8-1 decision the Court held that the House had no right to exclude Powell. The Court said that the House could only exclude members when they don't meet the basic qualifications or if they were not properly elected. Since Burris meets the age, citizenship, and residency requirements of Illinois and Blago as Governor has the legal ability to appoint anyone, the question is: Does the Senate even have the option to refuse to seat Burris?? Let me know your thoughts