Byrd should give Reid his old KKK hood to wear at the next press conference.
Posted on 12/30/2008 11:49:22 AM PST by BAW
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) said in a statement this afternoon that the Senate will not seat anyone Gov. Rod Blagojevich chooses to fill Illinois' vacant Senate post, amid word that the governor is set to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.
The statement also is signed by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who has repeatedly urged Blagojevich not to name a replacement for the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The statement specifically names Burris, but applies to any choice the governor might make.
"This is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat," the statement read. "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."
The decision was made during a 10-minute conference call that included Reid, Durbin and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), as well as representatives of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). There was little discussion and no dissent in reaching the position, said a Senate aide.
"The goal was to get this statement out before Blagojevich made his announcement," the Senate source said.
Blagojevich, who has sole authority to name a replacement senator, scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference at his downtown Chicago office.
Burris left his downtown consulting office about 1:15 p.m., getting congratulatory hugs from several employees. But Burris refused comment when asked whether he was going to accept the appointment after word that Senate Democratic leadership would not seat him.
Shortly after Obama's Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich's arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor's support.
Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama's replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he's never lost to a Republican.
Blagojevich's criminal defense attorney Ed Genson had said Blagojevich would not name a Senate successor to Obama. The governor had indicated he agreed with other Illinois politicians that the best option might be a special election to fill Obama's seat. But state lawmakers have not taken up the necessary legislation.
Burris has given more than $20,000 to Blagojevich's campaign fund on his own and through his consulting and law firms, state campaign finance records show. Burris' consulting company received about $290,000 in state contracts with the Illinois Department of Transportation a few years ago, according to state comptroller records.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada previously warned Blagojevich, following the governor's Dec. 9 arrest, that Senate Democrats would not seat any appointment the two-term Democratic governor made. Reid's warning was contained in a letter signed by all 50 sitting Democratic senators, including the No. 2 Democrat in Senate leadership, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Federal authorities, citing secret wiretap recordings, allege Blagojevich sought a Cabinet position, an ambassadorship or a high-paying job from the incoming Obama administration in exchange for naming a candidate favored by the president-elect to the vacancy. An internal report by the Obama transition team found no offers of any quid pro quo in conversations held by incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and Blagojevich and the governor's staff regarding the seat.
Burris became the first African-American to win statewide office in 1978, when he won the first of his three terms as comptroller. But Burris repeatedly stalled in his quest for bigger political office. He failed in three consecutive runs for governor--1994, 1998 and 2002, when he ran against Blagojevich--in the Democratic primaries.
Burris, an attorney in private practice, could not be reached for comment at his home today.
A special state House committee is weighing whether to recommend impeaching Blagojevich, and a leading member of the panel today called the news "incredibly ill-advised."
Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) said he believed his colleagues on the panel "will take the position that the timing is so wrong as to put a cloud over the appointment."
"It certainly wouldn't be a legal cloud," Lang said. "It would be more of a political cloud."
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.
"I think the governor can do what he wants, but I think that Roland Burris should not accept it," Durkin said. "He left government under a good standing, and this is not a way to re-enter it. If he does accept it, I will take any means necessary to have him testify before the special (impeachment) committee."
Durkin, citing the federal probe into Blagojevich's alleged attempt to sell the Senate seat, said the matter is at the heart of the impeachment investigation and the federal criminal charges against the governor. Durkin said he wants to know when Burris talked to the governor or any of his aides about the Senate appointment, what was discussed and what, if any, material was submitted.
"If he does accept this," Durkin said, "I want to know the circumstances on which his name rose to the top in the last 24 hours."
Durkin said he knew of nothing that Burris had done improper, noting "he's a good and decent man."
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This is all political cover for Reid..
Burris solves a whole lot of problems for Dirty Harry...
1. He placates the African American community...
2. He keeps a Dem in that seat..one he would bury in the worst Senate office...the least favorable committee assignments..
3. He doesn’t risk losing the seat to a Republican in a special election...
Mark my words...in a week or so.. Reid changes his mind.
What is the legality on this issue? Does Reid have the authority to refuse to seat the nominee?
Burris should say he will reject this appointment only if the selectee of New York state rejects her/his Senate appointment from Paterson as well.
Byrd should give Reid his old KKK hood to wear at the next press conference.
Reid understands the selling of a Senate seat. He bought his from the Mafia and the Unions
I'm not an expert, but I believe that there are two precedents in the past that would support Reid. Although, it would be much more entertaining if the Senate were forced to impeach Burris - but, I can't imagine what the grounds for impeachment would be.
It's a mess, and I'm loving every minute of it!
Blago is rapidly becoming may favorite RAT politician.
Reid doesn’t, but my understanding is that the Senate, as a body, can decline to seat anyone either appointed or elected.
Re#10 Thanks for the link. Coincidentally, the 1969 Powell case I was thinking of just showed up here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2156293/posts
I guess since the Giants suspended him for shooting himself in the leg, he must need a job. All in all, he is a better choice than Al Franken! ;0)
Good thing there's plenty of popcorn in my pantry.
As to Obama's cabinet picks, only Holder and Richardson are worth contesting. IMO, at 58-42 or 59-41, it's going to be difficult to get the necessary votes for a filibuster, so use it judiciously.
I think the Blue Dogs will do plenty of barking if San Fran Nan and Searchlight Harry try to veer hard left. The Pubbies need to fight their battles with an eye towards 2010.
hahah - yup!
Burris should say he will reject this appointment only if Obama releases his actual birth certificate. Imagine all of the MSM newsreaders stroking out.
In a week or so???
I say Reid flip-flops on this in a day or so.
Possibly within the hour.
Why, Obammie might even have to interrupt his golfing just to place a call to Sen. Reid.
Money has changed hands, We can be sure of that!
ReidDiFiBoxerDurbinDoddHarkin.
Worlds Greatest Deliberitive Body
This is what happens when a guy like Reid drinks the same koolaid that he pours into his sheep.
Harried all drunk and foolish on himself, ballroom dancing to a music that is he.
Let us all rail against Reid, as doing so only encourages him to continue.
OT, but does anyone know Reid’s approval rating at the moment?
Yup! The Man is just keepin' the brother down.
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