Harry Reid v. the Constitution - If Roland Burris isn't fit for the Senate, how is Chris Dodd?

The Wall Street Journal ^ | January 3, 2009 | WSJ Editorial

[shoptalk]

An Illinois court will eventually decide if Governor Rod Blagojevich is guilty of corruption. But on at least one issue he is more law-abiding than Majority Leader Harry Reid and fellow Democrats: the seating of Roland Burris to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

Mr. Blagojevich appointed Mr. Burris to represent Illinois on Tuesday, ahead of the official start of the 111th Congress next week. This was certainly an act of brash defiance given that nearly everyone had warned the Governor not to do so after he was heard on tape contemplating the sale of the seat for personal gain. But under Illinois law, Mr. Blagojevich had every legal right to do so.

As the Governor said in his announcement, the Illinois public also deserves its full measure of representation in Washington. Mr. Burris is a former state attorney general who is untainted by the charges against Mr. Blagojevich. After the Blagojevich tapes were made public, Democrats who run the state legislature said they'd pass a law to require a special election for the Senate. But their passion for that option ebbed when it became clear that a Republican could win, especially amid this Democratic fiasco. When the legislature failed to act, Mr. Blagojevich saw his opening to name Mr. Burris.

[shoptalk]

"... now that Mr. Burris has been appointed, Mr. Reid can't legally deny him his seat. If this is the way Democrats are going to use their new monopoly on Beltway power even against a member of their own party, we're in for an ugly couple of years."

[mountn man]

Emperor Obama will dissolve the Senate. States will be run by govenors appointed by Obama. (I saw it in a movie, along time ago, far, far away. It must be true)

[reg45]

The ‘RATS really want Mr. Burris to be a Senator, but they know that if he gets seated, they will find it almost impossible to cover up the “Democrat Culture of Corruption” implications.

[huldah1776]

Ugly is an understatement and we knew it on Nov 4.

[SERKIT]

....who is untainted by the charges against Mr. Blagojevich...

Is this a true statement? Isn't there a connection with Blago and Burris regarding a "deal with the devil" when they ran against each other for Gov? I seem to recall an article about a transfer of campaign dollars from the losing Burris to Blago. Anything to this?

[pepsionice]

I’m betting money that Burris is sitting in the Senate by the end of January. I do believe that the Supreme Court will have to be called in by the end...to inform Reid that he is acting unconstitutionally.

For Blago...I have strong doubts that he is ever impeached. The Democrats in the state are acting like they have some kind of fear of what he might do next. I’m betting he has tons of information on various state players and intends to use it if required.

Fitz is likely betting that the case he has...takes up the entire year, and falls flat at the end. All kinds of Democrats could stumble and fall within this period as they play out this game. Somewhere in the middle...is Obama...and he’s got problems with Blago. In some weird fashion...Blago owns the Obama administration.

[driftdiver]

Even money says Obama pardons Blago.

[jetson]

Hey Harry, speaking of the constitution, what about your boy Obama.

[Hardastarboard]

If Roland Burris isn't fit for the Senate, how is Chris Dodd?

In a just society, Chris Dodd would be earning fifty cents a day mopping floors in a prison laundry.

[70th Division]

If Fitz had any Balls he could go down in American History is one of the best Prosecutors Ever! He could take down a whole party. His name could be a household word.

[shoptalk]

I think you're correct; Mr. Burris may not be as pure as Caesar's wife.

"... he's a Blagojevich donor who has worked as a lobbyist in Springfield for Blagojevich allies", according to Jim Geraghty

[I_B_4_FRED]

We are talking about Democrats here. They have no moral compass so anything is possible with them.

[Grampa Dave]

This is an urgent SOS from the white racist Harry Reid: Paging all rat racists dead or alive to repel Buriss from the $inate Chambers!

Governor Wallace to Bull Connor: Please bring your fire hoses and attack dogs to repel Burris from the $inate Chambers!

GO HOME BURRIS. YOU ARE TRESPASSING! GET OUT OF MY LILLY WHITE $INATE!

[DJ Taylor]

I would think that in this country where even Democrats occasionally profess to adhere to the “Rule of Law,” even Governor Bagofshiite would be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. And, until found guilty and removed from office, the Governor would retain all the executive authorities provided by the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions. But what the hell do I know? I didn't think an illegal alien could be elected President of the U.S. and look what just happened.

[Flycatcher]

In some weird fashion...Blago owns the Obama administration.

I think you're right. Shades of J. Edgar Hoover, perhaps...

[Glenn]

Chris Dodd?

How about Al Franken?

[freekitty]

How is Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi?

[shoptalk]

Agreed.

... and the WSJ's larger point is compelling:

If Mr. Reid wants to banish Mr. Burris, he must first seat him and then persuade two-thirds of the Senate to expel him.

[EagleUSA]

Even money says Obama pardons Blago.
::::::::
I would not dare bet against that one — Obama will pardon every DEMORAT POS that is part of the world of crime that spawned him and supports him. It is going to be a tragic 4 years.

Is it 2012 yet ??

[PGalt]

From one of FR’s finest...Congressman Billybob...here...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2156510/posts