Posted on 01/12/2009 1:47:45 PM PST by jessduntno
Democratic leadership: Senate to seat BurrisStory
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Illinois senior senator and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin said Monday that the Senate would accept the credentials of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.
Roland Burris testifies at an impeachment hearing for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday.
"The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate Rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat. In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment," the two said in a statement.
"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the statement said. "Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."
Some Senate Democrats, however, maintained Burris should not be seated because he was appointed to the Senate seat by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who faces corruption charges and who is accused of scheming to sell the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White sided with Democrats who oppose seating Burris, and did not sign his appointment certificate, although his office stamped it Friday to show it had been received. The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Friday that White does not have to sign off on the appointment for it to be valid.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
They should have realized that the requirements to be a US Senator are exceedingly low.
Harry does a flip-flop.
Somebody pointed out that he was essentially keeping a black man OUT of the Senate, and was therefore a de facto racist.
Republicans have been burned and branded for life for WAY less.
Should make for a competitive senate race in IL for 2010.
Of course we all knew that the dims would put on a big show before welcoming another slimeball to the fold.
On the 10th, after the court ruled the signature wasn’t needed, the Illinois secretary of state signed the certificate anyway.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/17295.html
I thought Durbin just got through saying no way until at least the end of the month.
Is he that much of an idiot or was seat hawking that lucrative?
He is that much of an idiot, and a famous loudmouth as well. Burris will be a great statesman by comparison.
Affirmative Action taken to absurdity....
They decided to go with the Constitution over the unscientific Susan Page (USA Today) poll that concludes he shouldn’t be seated. Amazing! Score one for the Constitution.
I'll go hide now.
“Should make for a competitive senate race in IL for 2010.”
That’s what really worried them.
When the powers that be in MN refused to allow Franken to be certified it became clear that the senate would go back on it’s principled stand of not seating Burris.
They are desperate for votes, which makes me believe that some of the new dems are not going to roll over for Reid.
They have, Truth is the KKK was the terrorist wing of the Democrats. They are the racist , but the racist press keeps the lie going.
Just love watching the media die a slow agonizing death.
I’m sure the Harry-Dick couple is very upset over having to obey the Constitution. To make themselves feel better, I’m sure they’ll try to unofficially amend the Constitution again. BTW, when is the DC House vote bill up for a vote?
“I’m sure the Harry-Dick couple is very upset over having to obey the Constitution.”
The Harry-Dick Democrat Leadership will always stand behind their man...
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