Arkansas Blog

Bobby Rush is going to make this interesting for Harry Reid;

""I applaud the governor for his decision and I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer," Rush said. "Separate the appointee from the appointer. Roland Burris is worthy."

The Ill SoS will not certify

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/12/blago-will-try-to-seat-senator-but-reid.html

UPDATE (1:20 PM): The Capitol Fax Blog has a couple of additional details. Firstly, they're reporting that Illinois' Secretary of State Jesse White will refuse to certify the appointment. I'm not sure what, if any, constitutional authority White has to do that.

Secondly, although Burris has criticized Blagojevich in recent weeks, he's also contributed $11K to his campaign fund, and his consulting firm has done a lot of business with the state during Blago's term. Neither of those things are damning in and of themselves, of course, but they give the Republicans some ammunition.

One of Reid's problems, by the way, is that it seems plausible that some Republicans would vote against expulsion, perhaps by suggesting that to expel Burris would be an abuse of their Constitutional authority. Their real motivation, of course, might be to give the Blagojevich story legs heading into 2010.

Will Democrats oppose the nomination of a qualified black candidate to an otherwise white only club? Should be a fun vote.

"I am humbled to have this opportunity," Mr. Burris said.

Why, sure he is. Aren't all politicians "humbled" to serve?

From my 12 seconds of law study, I'd say Blago is still the Gov. and the appointment is in his hands and I'd say we got a new Senator from Illinois. At least he's not Lincoln or Pryor.

I agree, DBI.
Illinois needs that Senate seat filled and the Democrats need all the help they can get. Blago likely won't resign anytime soon. Whether he tries to tough it out or angles for some kind of plea bargain, that still leaves Illinois lacking a Senator if the Burris appointment gets torpedoed.
The questions should include Burris' qualifications for the post and whether he may have or will pay for the appointment -- the Blagojevich taint on ANYONE the governor appoints.
But to refuse to seat Burris just because the governor's questionable actions, actions which as far as I've heard did not extend to the appointee? No.
I also think it's a misstep on Obama's part to call publicly for Blagojevich to resign. I suppose he's trying to distance himself from this fiasco, but I think he would be better served to be "above" it. Let the legal process slouch on.

I concur Dogoitta and DBI.

Don't be like the opposition and throw out the constitution with the bath water.

Innocent unitl proven guilty. Blagojevich is still the Governor of Illinois. Burris meets every criteria for a Senate appointment. Reid has no legal basis to reject the appointment.

Fitzgerald deserves to be charged with obstruction of justice, if his premature release of the information results in no conviction for Blagojevich.

There needs to be a law against individuals obstructing the Constitution mandated procedures of Congress. Fitzgerald, with his desire to prevent Blagojevich from appointing a senator replacement for Obama has over-stepped his mandate as a prosecutor. Investigate, indite, try and convict, but do not try to change the Constitution single-handedly. In this he is as errant and misguided as was Starr.

However, he is as good a political operator as Starr. He could not have created more political damage and problems with how he handled this than if the game plan was draw-up by Lee Atwater and Karl Rove.

Well, I was about to concur except for this:

..."Mr. Burris has been senior counsel at the Milwaukee-based law firm of Gonzales Saggio & Harlan"

IF in anyway Mr Burris has been connected to Bush's DOJ and culture of corruption kick him to the curb.

.

With every day that passes I'm not so sure Fitzgerald has such a slam dunk on putting Blago behind bars. I hope they hang him if he's found guilty, I hate crooked Democrats with a passion. But I think just maybe we got all excited about some bleeping talk on a bleeping wiretap, otherwise the powers that be would have swooped down and nailed him way before Christmas.

They've had since December 9th, when Fitzgerald held his press conference and Blago is still sleeping in the governor's mansion and going to work in the morning. Congress goes back to work on January 5th. Illinois citizens deserve to have 2 Senators on that day. If they had the goods on Blago and they had hauled him off on December 10th and the Lt. Gov. took over and named the new Senator...wouldn't that make sense? But the shoe is still up in the air and therefore, I think the appointment of Burris is legal and will stand. It's December 31st, someone needs to be packing a bag for a move to DC. Why not Burris? Fitzgerald has lots of 'spaining to do.

DBI, do you think complex criminal trials happen overnight? How long did the Democrats spend picking at the Watergate scab before Nixon was forced to resign?

So eLwood....

You are all for making sure we follow the guidelines set forth in the Constitution. You know there really is no way Burris can't be seated and all.

Unless of course he at some point has a connection to someone you don't like.

Makes sense to me! At least in the liberal world for which you live.

"Rip the Constitution up, that black man can't be Senator...he worked for someone that has a connection to someone I don't like".

No reply necessary.

It would have been a lot more rapid Prouster, if Butterfield's tapes were in the hands of a special prosecutor's the way Fitzgerald claims his are.

In any case, time will tell, but if Blagojevich gets off because Fitzgerald revealed too early to prevent the Senate appointment, then Fitzgerald is guilty of the federal felony of obstruction of justice.