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Press release from the Senate Democratic Leadership, December 30th, 2008:
this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Under these circumstances, 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. [Emphasis added]
Harry Reid on Meet the Press, January 4th, 2009:
MR. GREGORY: If Burris shows up, you won't seat him?
SEN. REID: Well, we're going to do what we have to do, and we're going to follow all legal precedents. We think that we're pretty clear on what we believe is the law, and the precedent in the United States Senate that we are, we are the ones that determine--Democrats and Republicans determine who is going to sit in the Senate. It's been that way since before 1800.. . . .
MR. GREGORY: But there sounds to me like there may be some room here to negotiate and actually seat Burris?
SEN. REID: Hey, listen, David, I'm an old trial lawyer. There's always room to negotiate.
MR. GREGORY: All right, so you're not saying no completely that he won't serve?
SEN. REID: That's right.
January 15th, 2009: Roland Burris seated in the United States Senate.
Thanks for playing, Harry, and better luck next time.
Post facto:
The limits of the appointment power, II (1/13/10)
Thanks for Playing?
compared to Harry Reid, the Detroit Lions are Super Bowl contenders
I have found the whole crime drama amazing
I found it sick and alarming that my home state democratic legislature and democratic SoS ironically named Jesse White, a black man, openly flaunted the law, while they postured and elbowed all around for the very same "cut a deal and pay to play " authority to appoint the senator of their choice, or friendship, just as Harry Reid did with his two white women, turned down by Blagogevich.
Ever more sickening, was the show trial, conviction, and public "incarceration" - guilty before proven guilty by accusation with 90 day extension for "the evidence none of us need" - that made certain all the (liars/lawbreakers aka the lawmakers) could step into the public TV spotlight, and do exactly what Blagogevich was accused of, using the accusation against Blagogevich as the excuse for their own copycat criminal, outrageous behavior.
Let's face it, ALL those people "feel" they are above the law, and their head and heart decided they could break it with impunity, in all of our faces, because by golly, THEY were going to name the new Senator.
I smell stink so bad, nothing will ever take it away.
They all need to be removed immediately, all of them, except Blagogevich, whom they had their chance in their special session to do something about, and failed to have the guts or the ethics, morals, or conscience, to do so.
From Jesse White, to the AG Lisa Madigan who wanted the Sen. Seat, to her Dad running the Illinois legislature, to the Illinois legislature refusing to sign the lawful document - and especially Harry Reid himself, as well - who vyed for position and begged for one of his two chosen ladies to take the spot - then refused the RULE of LAW when he didn't get his way.
Put them ALL on the courtroom docket, then off to prison if convicted, please, please, pretty please, someone send the message !