Reid: Senate won't seat Blagojevich pick

CLTV ^ | Dec 30, 2008 | Ray Long and Rick Pearson

[La Enchiladita]

Oh, this is so much fun.

[Big_Monkey]

"Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago said there's "no rhyme or reason"

I just heard the audio from Rep. Rush's news conference. To be honest, I wasn't familiar with Mr. Rush so I have no frame of reference for his somewhat less-than-articulate oratory. But, this guy sounds like he's in the middle of a three day bender. Really, he sounds baked.

The people of Illinois must be so proud of the elected officials.

[luvie]

That didn’t take long, Dingy Harry!

[NonValueAdded]

The senate is the final judge as to who may be seated. If there are any irregularities they can refuse to seat.

Nope ... read POWELL v. McCORMACK 395 U.S. 486 (1969). This has been adjudicated before, albeit for the House but they didn't have the specificity of Amendment 17 to go by either.

The House of Representatives did this with an elected member back in the ‘70’s. They just voted not to seat him.

And SCOTUS overruled - read the case, esp. Justice Douglas' opinion. Seat him they must and then expel.

[AbeKrieger]

This is exactly how racism gets propagated - in politics, in sports, in employment, in life. Everyone has to tapdance around a black guy and perceptions. This is why some folks (in any walk of life) won’t give an otherwise qualified black person a chance - if you interview and don’t hire, you’re racist. If they don’t perform and you need to fire/separate, you’re racist. If you’re critical of them in any way, you’re racist. It ends in an expensive legal defense or lawsuit if things go bad. So of course the best path to go is the one where you’re not put in that position.

This is NO different.

[NonValueAdded]

and

Harry Reid is checkmating Blago, not the other way round. As Majority Leader he’s telling Blago not to bother since the Federal Constitution trumps State Law in this area.

Amendment 17 actually says State Law is the factor here:

Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.

The Illinois Legislature did so.

[TornadoAlley3]

In the 60’s, the Court ruled that Congress may only refuse to seat a member if he doesn't meet the constitutional requirements: that he was legally elected and that he was constitutionally qualified to hold the seat. The Court also asserted the jurisdiction to order Congress to seat a member if they improperly refused admission. Harry needs to hush.

[pepperhead]

I read somewhere that he is recovering from surgery.

[Colonial Warrior]

All we need is an Auctioneer!!!!

[rfp1234]

Reid already saying, "NO."

That won't help his re-election bid. Please, Nevada Dims, just stay home in '10.

[okie01]

Let's cut through the bluster. Reid has neither the authority nor the will to terminate this affirmative action pick.

He doesn't. But the Senate majority does. I.e., the Democrat caucus can, for their own reasons, refuse to seat Burriss.

Article I, Section 5: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members

Where such an action would leave the voters of Illinois -- unrepresented -- is, of course, another issue. But I doubt Harry Reid gives a damn about that.

[PghBaldy]

He’s a former Black Panther

[TheThinker]

I don’t know where this video of the boy screaming racist came from originally, but I wonder what he thinks of it now being used on FR?

[xtinct]

Let the games begin!!!

[wmfights]

Rep. Jim Durkin, the Republican spokesman on the impeachment panel, said he is drafting a letter to Burris calling for him to reject the appointment.

This is so typical of IL rino's. Burris is 71 and is not not an inspiring figure. He would be very beatable in an election. The Gov has the sole authority to appoint the replacement Sen, so why push out a beatable person and get a young, dynamic, financially backed person?

[wastedyears]

Democrat Uncivil War

(Rush)

[MuttTheHoople]

Didn’t Jim Crow Democrats not want a black man seated before?

[Cheerio]

Oh, this is so much fun.

I love to watch RAT on RAT.

[La Enchiladita]

I’ve been saying all along, or at least since he refused to resign, that Blago is our friend:)

[browardchad]

this guy sounds like he's in the middle of a three day bender. Really, he sounds baked.

I've seen him on TV a few times: same impression. But being understandable is apparently not a requirement in Chicago politics.

He's a former Black Panther, by the way; maybe that fried his brain.