Blago Appoints A Senator

[Patrick Degan]

Linky

Reports: Blagojevich to Appoint Burris to Replace Obama

Former Attorney General Roland Burris, center, addresses followers after announcing that he did not win the Democratic nomination to run for Illionis governor, March 19, 2002, in Chicago. His wife, Berlean, left, looks on. (Stephen J. Carrera / Associated Press)

Updated 1:23 p.m.
By Garance Franke-Ruta
Two Chicago newspapers are reporting that scandal-tarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to appoint 71-year-old former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat this afternoon.

Blagojevich, reports the Chicago Sun-Times, will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. Eastern in Chicago at the building which houses the governor's office.

Burris, who was the first African American to win a statewide race in Illinois to become comptroller in 1979, went on to serve as Illinois attorney general from 1991-1995. Burris also ran for the U.S. Senate, losing the Democratic primary to Paul Simon in 1984. He later made unsuccessful bids for the Illinois governor's mansion in 1994, 1998 and 2002. In his final gubernatorial race, which Blagojevich ultimately won, Burris was endorsed by then-state Sen. Barack Obama during the Democratic primary. Obama later backed Blagojevich at Burris's urging.

"When Blagojevich beat me, I told Barack to get on board with him," Burris told The Post earlier this year. "It was kind of like swallowing his pride a little bit, because he didn't really see that they had anything in common."

Congressional Democrats are expected some time today to reiterate their objections to an appointment by Blagojevich, who is the subject of impeachment proceedings by the Illinois statehouse. Those objections were laid out in a letter earlier this month.

"We write to insist that you step down as Governor of Illinois and under no circumstance make an appointment to fill the vacant Illinois Senate seat," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid wrote in the letter, which was signed by all 50 sitting Democratic senators. "In light of your arrest yesterday on alleged federal corruption charges related to that Senate seat, any appointment by you would raise serious questions."

Burris's name first surfaced as a potential long-shot pick shortly after Obama won election on Nov. 4. If seated, Burris would be the third African American senator from Illinois, after Obama and Carol Moseley Braun, who served from 1993 to 1999, and the only African American in the Senate.

Posted at 12:37 PM ET on Dec 30, 2008

Obviously, whatever restraining order Lisa Madigan filed against Blagojevich didn't hold. The news broke on the WGN noonday newscast and there is already talk that the Senate won't seat Burris.

[xammer99]

The balls on Blagojevich have their own gravity well.

[xammer99]

OH! And the Race politics comes out!

During the news conference, Burris & Blago rolled out some geriatric Congressman who stated flatly and unequivocally that Burris has to be sat because there are currently no African Americans in the senate and that is a great tragedy.

I LOVE it!

Edit: The old congressman is a "cancer ridden" Bobby Rush, a former black panther turned congressman.

This is the Chicago I know and love!

[Phantasee]

Man, I can barely read the article. Do you have to put it in italics?

[Gerald Tarrant]

Assuming Burris isn't seated by the Senate; would this move poison any future attempt (by Blago's successor) to appoint him?

[CaptainChewbacca]

Assuming Burris isn't seated by the Senate; would this move poison any future attempt (by Blago's successor) to appoint him?

I don't see why. If he hasn't done anything unethical to get the nomination, it might be a way for the senate to show they ONLY objected to Blag, and not a black senator.

[xammer99]

Assuming Burris isn't seated by the Senate; would this move poison any future attempt (by Blago's successor) to appoint him?

I don't see why. If he hasn't done anything unethical to get the nomination, it might be a way for the senate to show they ONLY objected to Blag, and not a black senator.

Burris gave $13K to Blagojevich supposedly in campaign funds, and when he was called on it during the press conference, he acted shocked! "We gave that much?"

That was a work of art to hear and gave me a newsgasm.

I for one look forward to 4-8 years of a national spotlight on Illinois politics because this freakshow just won't end till all the roaches get stomped on.

[CmdrWilkens]

Assuming Burris isn't seated by the Senate; would this move poison any future attempt (by Blago's successor) to appoint him?

The answer to your two questions are:

1) No it would not and

2) Your assumption is odd in that there is already existing case law that confirms the Senate has no ability to actual stop Burris from taking office. The IL Secretary of State is bound by the state constitution to affix the seal and certify acts of the governor (no wiggle room for discretion) while the PoweelvMcCormack case makes it clear that while the Senate is free to quesiton the validity of an election it may not question the validity of an appointment save on grounds of constitutional qualification (which Burris clearly meets). In other words there is essentially no way to actually prevent Burris form being seated.


-As an addendum that doesn't mean they wont' try it just means that Burris being refused a seat is less likely than the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl this year.
Yes I realize they aren't in the playoofs that's the point.

[Pelranius]

$13000 in campaign contributions? That's less than 1% of the $1.5 million that Blago was reportedly gunning for.

Either Burris has gotten himself a great deal or the economy is worse than we think it is, with deflation just around the corner.

[Darth Fanboy]

Well I hope Burris kept his reciept.

[Tanasinn]

If the Senate can't refuse to accept this fellow, I imagine that at least some people will get to work finding other ways to humiliate or dismiss him.

[xammer99]

If the Senate can't refuse to accept this fellow, I imagine that at least some people will get to work finding other ways to humiliate or dismiss him.

Based on the criteria set in the senate, Reid can't out of hand reject him. However, he did say that "the democratic caucus" would not seat him. I wonder if that is Reid hedging his bets and knowin he can't keep him out and that he'd lose a law suit, so he's saying he won't accept him as a democrat, but that Burris can still come in, but as an independent.

Either way, this one is a beauty. Blago sure has a massive set on him and it sure looks like he has outmaneuvered'em by getting it on legal AND political grounds with the whole Race thing.

As for it being 13K, sorry, it was 14K, and that is all that was reported. But Burris & Blagojevich have been buddies for quite a long time.

Oh, and as another little asside... Bobby Rush defeated Obama for Congress, so this is another nice little "F'you" to Barry.

I must say, I love this shit because you just can't make it up. No one would believe it!

[Broomstick]

Good lord, Burris? I'd almost rather have one of the Jesses Jackson seated. Burris is old school Democratic machine and as dirty as a Daley.

Clearly there are racial politics at work here, although of a novel variety. I don't recall seeing the phenomena manifest quite like this before.

[CmdrWilkens]

Good lord, Burris? I'd almost rather have one of the Jesses Jackson seated. Burris is old school Democratic machine and as dirty as a Daley.

Clearly there are racial politics at work here, although of a novel variety. I don't recall seeing the phenomena manifest quite like this before.

I think it was Bobby Rush who came out and played the race card the last few days basically saying that no Senator would dare vote against seating a black appointee and that refusing to seat Burris was equivalent to setting the dogs loose on protesters during the civil rights movement.

[Broomstick]

Of course Rush is going to play the race card, he's been doing it for 40 years now. He was one of the original Black Panthers.

On the other hand, Obama and White (Mr. White is actually black) have both come out against Burris.

[Pelranius]

What if Burris decides to ask the Republicans to caucus him? At this point, pretty much anything sort of Lord Lucan becoming the British PM seems reasonably likely.

[Broomstick]

I just don't see either the Republicans accepting Burris like that, or Burris suggesting it. Burris as an independent, maybe. Burris' politics and views are far, far too much to the left for him to sit with the Republicans.

[Themightytom]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/06/ ... index.html

(CNN) -- Roland Burris, the appointee of embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was denied entry to the Senate chambers Tuesday as he tried to claim the seat once held by President-elect Barack Obama.


Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris makes his way to the Capitol on Tuesday.

Reporters swarmed Burris and documented his every step as he made his way through the Capitol and into the office of the secretary of the Senate on the first day of the 111th Congress.

CNN's Dana Bash described the scene as a "madhouse."

In a news conference before a flock of observers and reporters, Burris said the secretary of the Senate told him his credentials were "not in order" and therefore he would not be allowed access to the floor. Watch Burris describe what happened »

Nancy Erickson, the Senate secretary, initially rejected Burris' appointment Monday because his certificate of appointment was missing the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, an aide to the secretary said.

White has declined to sign the certificate, siding with some Senate Democrats who say Burris should not be seated because of the cloud over Blagojevich.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, has been accused of trying to sell Obama's open Senate seat. Burris has maintained that Blagojevich's problems have nothing to do with him and the appointment is legal.

Timothy W. Wright III, an attorney for Burris, said the rejection of Burris' credentials was unlawful.


Burris to meet with Dem leaders, source says
"Our credentials were rejected by the secretary of the Senate. We were not allowed to be placed in the record books. We were not allowed to proceed to the floor for purposes of taking oath, all of which we think was improperly done and it is against the law of this land," Wright said.

Burris said Tuesday he was not seeking a confrontation and would consult with his attorneys to determine his next steps.

Wright did not give specifics but he said he was prepared to take the issue to "the highest court in the land."

"The outcome that we will be looking for is that Sen. Roland Burris will be standing on the floor of the Senate conducting his responsibilities as the junior senator from the state of Illinois," Wright said.

Senate Democrats who do not want to seat Burris insist that the problem is with the appointer, not the appointee.

Burris, 71, is one of Illinois' most accomplished politicians, having served as state comptroller and attorney general.

"This is all politics and theater, but I am the junior senator according to every law book in the nation," Burris said Monday.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who also was considered a contender for the open Senate seat, spoke out on behalf of Burris.

"There is a strong constitutional and legal case for his seating," he said. "The longer this process takes the more racialized this seat becomes and the more difficult it becomes for Democrats to hold it in 2010."

Republican strategist Ed Rollins also urged Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to seat Burris.

"This is one battle you don't need. The last thing you and your caucus wants now -- or the new president needs -- is a battle over seating his replacement for the last two years of his term," he wrote in a commentary on CNN.com. Read why Rollins says Burris should be seated

One possible compromise would be to allow Burris to be seated in the Senate so long as he agrees not to run in 2010, according to a source.

A senior Democratic source familiar with Senate leadership deliberations said Democrats fear Burris' association with Blagojevich would make him so tainted that he would lose the Democratic seat if he ran in the next election. The source declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the discussions.

The compromise would clear the field for other Democratic candidates that the leadership considers more viable in 2010.

Democratic sources cautioned that it's one idea under discussion and that the Democratic leadership hasn't formally settled on making the offer to Burris.

The source familiar with the deliberations said one key to this compromise would be to give the Burris appointment political legitimacy by having Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn publicly endorse it.

Asked about the possibility of agreeing not to run in 2010, Burris told reporters, "I can't negotiate in the press."


Senate Democratic leaders have scheduled a meeting Wednesday with Burris.

Senate leaders questioning the appointment cite Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which states, "Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members."

White has declined to sign the certificate, siding with some Senate Democrats who say Burris should not be seated because of the cloud over Blagojevich.

Wow how long was HE waiting for his moment in the sun? Since when can a secretary refuse to do his job certifying a decision made by a governor because of "Cloudiness"?? Until Blago is removed from office, he can still make the appointment, this smells like a bureacratic political ploy that should ultimately prove to be illegal, of course by then Burris will have either negotiated or been discredited by frothing media speculation.

[Broomstick]

Since when can a secretary refuse to do his job certifying a decision made by a governor because of "Cloudiness"?? Until Blago is removed from office, he can still make the appointment, this smells like a bureacratic political ploy that should ultimately prove to be illegal, of course by then Burris will have either negotiated or been discredited by frothing media speculation.

The mere fact Blago nominated him has already discredited Burris in the eyes of many people, regardless of what the media does and doesn't say.

Since Blago was arrested and his attempt to sell the Senate seat came to light it has been said by many in Illinois that ANYONE nominated by Blago would immediately come under a cloud of suspicion no matter what their prior track record. Any politician with a lick of sense ran from Blago as soon as that shit hit the fan. Even before the Burris nomination the Illinois Secretary of State said he would not sign off on any Blago nominee. The US Senate said they would not seat anyone until everything T was crossed and every I dotted in regards to every detail and requirement. With no Secretary of State signature Burris knew there wasn't a chance in hell of getting into the US Senate. It really was theater.

Yes, technically Blago still has the "right" to appoint an Obama replacement but since he was fucking arrested for attempting to sell that seat and his attempts are on a fucking FBI tape, in his own voice there is considerable weight of evidence against him. Given that there is legitimate concern that Burris might have "bought" that seat (regardless of how nice a guy he's been up until this point). Doing so would be improper in the extreme and sufficient for throwing him out of the Senate and into a jail cell. Is it actually improper for the US Senate to refuse to seat a person whose credentials are under such a cloud? Is it not more proper to delay his admittance to the Senate until Burris can clear up any murkiness in his status and reasonably satisfy the people of the state he represents that he obtained that nomination honestly and ethically?

[Redleader34]

It is improper, but he has no constitutional authority, we cannot convict on hearsay, this looks like nasty yet brilliant works on Blago's part.

[Themightytom]

Is it not more proper to delay his admittance to the Senate until Burris can clear up any murkiness in his status and reasonably satisfy the people of the state he represents that he obtained that nomination honestly and ethically?

The people of the state he represents operate on an innocent until proven guilty philosophy, so NO he does not have to prove his inocence, they would have to prove his guilt, and by "They" I mean the senate, using the process DESIGNED for this kind of instance, as opposed to the secretary who....
is a secretary.

This is the difference between a fair and rational system as opposed to fear mongering associative character assaination for political gain. How much mileage should we get out of Blago being corrupt? Why don't we start investigating Obama while we're at it.

[Bilbo]

This is the difference between a fair and rational system as opposed to fear mongering associative character assaination for political gain. How much mileage should we get out of Blago being corrupt? Why don't we start investigating Obama while we're at it.

Well they are both Chicago roaches. No matter how much Obama tries to put the spin on his image the fact remains that he earns his political stripes in one of the dirtiest cities in America.

[Ender]

Arrogant twit actually claims his appointment is God's will

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats struggled to avert a showdown steeped in race and corruption Monday as a defiant Roland Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" and flew to the capital to claim President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in Congress.

Even as he sought to pressure fellow Democrats, Burris signaled there were limits to his rebelliousness. "I'm not going to make a scene. I don't want to give you all a circus," he told reporters asking whether he intended to breach protocol by attempting to walk uninvited onto the Senate floor on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old veteran of Illinois politics was still en route from his home state when Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would not be permitted to take his seat when other new lawmakers are sworn into office. Burris "has not been certified by the state of Illinois" Reid said, a reference to incomplete paperwork that barely begins to describe the dispute.

While Burris has not been accused of any wrongdoing, he was named to the Senate last week by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who faces charges of having attempted to sell the seat.

Senate officials said it was possible Reid would try and have Burris' case referred to the Rules Committee for review, a move that would effectively sidetrack the issue while the complicated political and legal situation in Illinois could be sorted out. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss possible developments.

Reid, D-Nev., had appeared to leave open the possibility of a compromise over the weekend after failing to persuade Blagojevich to leave the seat vacant. Burris is to meet privately on Wednesday with the majority leader in his office a few paces off the Senate floor.

Burris, who is black, downplayed the issue of race at a news conference before boarding a flight from Chicago to Washington _ even though supporters have given it prominence.

"I cannot control my supporters. I have never in my life, in all my years of being elected to office, thought anything about race," he said.

He said repeatedly during the day that he is a senator, but in fact he is not and cannot be unless he is administered the oath of office.

Other controversy aside, Democrats privately expressed concern that Burris would not be able to hold the seat in a special election that must be held in 2010. Reid has denied that political calculations are involved, but one Democratic official suggested that one potential outcome would be for Burris to be seated and pledge to retire in 2010.

Burris sidestepped the issue at an airport news conference before leaving Illinois, saying, "I can't negotiate in the press."

The Illinois seat was one of two in dispute on the eve of the ceremonial opening of the new Congress.

In Minnesota, the state Canvassing Board certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning a recount over Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, but a legal challenge probably will keep that race in limbo for now.

Reid called Franken the winner _ in a claim that Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan swiftly rejected.

Despite losing several seats last November, Senate Republicans have the ability to block any quick attempt by Democrats to allow Franken to be sworn in, and an aide said Reid would not press the issue on Tuesday.

Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky arranged an early evening meeting to discuss the two seats.

The uncertain Illinois script played out as a federal judge granted prosecutors more time to seek a formal indictment of Blagojevich, and state lawmakers marched methodically toward impeachment proceedings that could result in his removal from office. He was arrested last year and charged with trying to sell Obama's seat.

Blagojevich appointed Burris to fill take Obama's former Senate seat last week, defying the wishes of Senate Democrats who had warned that anyone he named would be tainted by association. His selection of the 71-year-old former officeholder instantly exposed rifts among Democrats, evident at a send-off Burris received in a Chicago church on Sunday night.

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., called the Senate "last bastion of plantation politics," and said blacks had been "excluded systematically for too long."

There were mounting legal complications, as well.

While Blagojevich has signed formal appointments papers, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has not, and Senate rules require that signature.

Burris, in turn, has gone to court hoping to win an order for White to sign the necessary paperwork, and has also threatened to sue to take his seat in the Senate.

It was apparently edited out of the article, but

"We are hoping and praying that they will not be able to deny what the Lord has ordained," Burris said. "I am not hesitating. I am now the junior Senator from the state of Illinois. Some people may want to question that and that is their prerogative.

was in there originally, hence the title.

[Broomstick]

Is it not more proper to delay his admittance to the Senate until Burris can clear up any murkiness in his status and reasonably satisfy the people of the state he represents that he obtained that nomination honestly and ethically?

The people of the state he represents operate on an innocent until proven guilty philosophy, so NO he does not have to prove his inocence, they would have to prove his guilt, and by "They" I mean the senate, using the process DESIGNED for this kind of instance, as opposed to the secretary who....
is a secretary.

Since this does not involve a court of law it is not a matter of "guilt" or "innocence". The US Senate can and has disciplined members merely for the appearance of impropriety and has the authority to do so (occasionally, one might wish that they exercised such an authority more often...) Elected officials can and have been recalled without committing any criminal wrong doing (see the recall of California governor Gray Davis in 2003)

At present, there are a number of issues surrounding Blago and his decisions that are either in the courts or needing clarification of status. One of those is the appointment to Obama's US Senate seat. Given that, it is not entirely surprising that the Secretary of State is reluctant to sign off on an appointment of questionable integrity made by a governor under FBI investigation, subject to one group of people wanting to have him declared mentally unfit to govern (the Madigans), and with impeachment process started. IF Jesse White had signed off on the appointment that would be a different matter, but he hasn't. Whether or not White has the authority to refuse to sign is yet another matter currently in the courts.

Yes, Burris was refused on a technicality. Unfortunately for him, his appointment really isn't official until White signs off. Sucks to be him.

And I'm not sure what you mean by "the secretary who... is a secretary." could you please clarify that?

This is the difference between a fair and rational system as opposed to fear mongering associative character assaination for political gain. How much mileage should we get out of Blago being corrupt?

Please keep in mind that Blago is not merely accused of being corrupt but accused of a felony. This is not a matter of, say, a nephew of questionably qualifications being hired or using influence to get out of parking tickets. This is the selling of a US Senate seat which is an act that has caused even convicted corrupt/criminal politicians to express disgust.

Why don't we start investigating Obama while we're at it.

He actually IS under investigation for possible connections to the selling of the US Senate seat. What makes you think he isn't? Why should Obama be off limits? It's not like we haven't had a PotUS forced to resign over questionable acts (for you young'uns... Richard Nixon, August 1974) At present, there is no evidence he was involved with selling the seat and reportedly the Blago tapes actually have Milorad* ranting about Obama NOT getting in on the act. Nonetheless, Obama has political enemies are no doubt hoping something damning comes to light.


* The Illinois Governor's full name is Milorad Blagojevich. He has also been known to use Milorad R. Blagojevich although he does not legally have a middle name. The R is for his father, Radisav.

[CmdrWilkens]

It is improper, but he has no constitutional authority, we cannot convict on hearsay, this looks like nasty yet brilliant works on Blago's part.

He (the Illinois Secretary of State) would argue, and a court may be willign to agree, that since a criminal complaint alleges a conspiracyto sell the office for which he is ordered to affix the Seal of the State then he cannot certify the action. In other words the criminal complaint means that he cannot affix the seal affirming that the State supports the actions of the governor when the actions have been shown as possibly tainted.

Its not a slam dunk case, in fact its a rather weak one, but so long as Burris goes to the seante with his letter of appointment not certified then they are able to judge his qualifications as not being sufficient to allow him to be seated.