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Aides: Democrats have plan if Burris shows up
The aide familiar with Senate Democratic leaders' plans said if Burris tries to enter the Senate chamber, the Senate doorkeeper will stop Burris. If Burris were to persist, either trying to force his way onto the Senate floor or refusing to leave and causing a scene, U.S. Capitol Police would stop him, said the aide.
"They (police) probably won't arrest him" but they would call the sergeant-at-arms," the aide said.
I strongly urge Burris to show up. The spectacle of the white Senate Dems refusing to seat the only black Senator and having him instead hustled off by any form of law enforcement will be SO amusing. But wait, it gets better!
Senate Democratic leaders, who consider Governor Rod Blagojevich a loose cannon, also have discussed what might happen if Blagojevich shows up on Capitol Hill Tuesday, said the aide familiar with their plans. But the leaders see that move by Blagojevich as unlikely at this time.
This would be a "radioactive" situation, according to the aide, because Senate Democratic leaders could not deny Blagojevich entry, as sitting governors have floor privileges in the Senate. Governors are allowed to walk around the Senate chamber or talk with senators while on the floor, though they cannot vote or formally address the Senate.
So, Blago can go to the Senate floor and they can't stop him, but a legally appointed Senator can not. Priceless.
BONUS SHOT: Althouse offers a walk down memory lane...great imagery, Democrats!
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I think Burris plans to arrive Monday
I think Burris plans to arrive Monday. I wouldn't count Blago out from joining him. This is hysterical, really, and Clinton did not start off like this.
I have a feeling Dems might want to tout Caroline as New York's new Seantor and try to offset the Burris mess.
Simon, are you taking bets?
You know what, I've pretty much come around to the point that
Burris is getting shafted in all this, and the Senate Dems are making spectacular fools of themselves. Look, Blago is an ultra-crook, we all know this, but seeing as Burris is most likely not, I'm having a hard time punishing this guy for the sins of his appointer. I know that there is the taint of Blago's bribery scandal, but could it be, that after all this corruption, Blago does one thing right, for the purpose of ass-covering?
Everyone admits Burris is a good guy, and I don't want to go here, but the fact that the only black Senator is being denied his spot means something. And that imagery! Good, God! Are we really supposed to stomach that Blago can keep his floor privileges, but the duly appointed Senator from Illinois cannot? Bulls--t.
If there's to be some sort of investigation over this appointment, then what about CK, who it could be argued will be royally appointed purely due to her last name.
Eighteen days til the inauguration, and this drama still hangs around.
end game
I heard Burris on NewsHour tonite. He has a clear and consistent point. Regardless of Gov. Blago's legal issues I am the legally appointed Senator. If he sticks to that line I see no "good" way out of this for the Dems. They'll have to hope he backs down. I see it getting messier. This could be Pres. Obama's first "diplomatic" initiative of his new term.
I'm not willing to admit that
I'm not willing to admit that Burris is a "good guy". He just happens to be a mid-level political hack who sees an opportunity for advancement and to add a few extra lines to his burial monument. In all probability, he would likely be a poor Senator who accomplishes nothing but enjoying the perks of power at the taxpayers expense.
If he was a "good guy," he would not have accepted an appointment from Blago. If I were a partybot for the GOP, I would love this guy. For me, I really only care about getting the nation going. Burris does not fulfill this bill for me. Legally, they probably can't keep him from the seat. Politically, if they can put a 90 day delay on seating him, it may open the door for the Illinois Legislature to kick Blago to the curb and allow someone who could be more legitimate to come in and change the appointment, assuming that is possible if Burris has not been seated by that time.
Now if they could only do this for Caroline Kennedy too.
I really don't much care if
I really don't much care if he's a good guy or a bad guy as an individual pol, or whether or not he'd be a good or bad Senator. The point is that he is now legally entitled to that seat, as much so as any elected Senator is entitled to theirs. There is no evidence presented that his appointment was in any way illegal or corrupt. It was apparently done legally by Illinois statute and the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, and barring open evidence of disqualification on Burris' part or corruption in the actual appointment, he should therefore be sworn and seated. Period, end of story.
Delaying his swearing and seating does not change that calculus. The appointment has already been legally made, and unless Burris himself withdraws and leaves a vacancy, there is no vacancy for a Blago replacement to fill.
Well Jim, what I meant was that he has a rep from his friends as
a good guy, and I don't know enough about him to say otherwise. I totally agree that he should've turned down the offer, for reasons of decorum, and plain political sense. Who what want this kind of baggage.
The point is, he is the lawfully appointed Senator of Illinois, and he ought to be treated as such.
I guess I don't mind playing
I guess I don't mind playing to the full extent of the Senate rules with the 90 days, hoping a better solution can be reached. Ultimately, the final decision will come down to if Burris wants it. I suspect he is probably more interested in getting the power than doing the right thing. So he will be seated when things are said and done and will be there for the remainder of the term. My condolences go to the people of Illinois.
Plus, I think the same style of challenge should be allowed for Franken if they attempt to seat him on Tuesday.
As little as I think of
As little as I think of Franken (got a microscope?) if he prevails and is certified, he should be seated unless VERY serious questions can be raised about the validity of the totals.
More relevant, if the Little Princess should get the NY appointment, she too should be seated. We step outside the established forms at our peril, and preserving the forms is to me more important than any temporary gains or losses.
I think there are still
I think there are still enough questions on the validity of the count that he should not be seated until the legal challenges are completed. Too many ballots mysteriously appeared from weird places. I agree on Kennedy. If she is appointed, she must be seated as there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a poor choice.
Truthfully, out of all of these, the Franken one is currently the one that most falls under the rules of not being seated due to outstanding questions of the election.
However, when everything is said and done, these states get the people they deserve. Unfortunately the entire nation suffers from their follies.
Sure-waiting for the
Sure-waiting for the litigation to finish would be legit. But from following the Franken/Coleman recount, it looks to me as if the "spread" is not going to be beatable when they certify. If he comes in a hundred votes over and "rehabbing" the questionable duplicates would not close the spread, then comes a time to give it up.
Let's not forget the parking job with Biden's seat. That too is legitimate pool, if anti-democratic.