Senate Dems To Block Burris' Path To Senate -- Perhaps Even Literally, Physically

[babylonsister]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/senate_dems_to_block_burris_pa.php

Senate Dems To Block Burris' Path To Senate -- Perhaps Even Literally
By Eric Kleefeld - January 2, 2009, 10:50AM


With Roland Burris getting ready to go to Washington, the Senate's goal here now seems pretty obvious: To keep Burris out for as long as possible, until some other resolution to this whole mess is somehow accomplished.

The Democratic leadership's current contingency plan for next week is reportedly for Burris to be met at the chamber by a doorman telling him he's not allowed inside. If he still tries to go in, armed police officers could intervene to get him away. Burris told the Los Angeles Times that he wants to avoid a scene and have all of this negotiated before he arrives, but it's unlikely that he could negotiate his way towards actually being seated.

And even if Burris does manage to physically enter the chamber, there are still a whole lot of avenues to keep him from being sworn in. The Senate is expected to launch a Rules Committee investigation to determine the legitimacy of his appointment, thus delaying him from being seated. They'll look at everything from the facts of the Blagojevich scandal to Illinois Sec. of State Jesse White's refusal to sign the certificate of appointment. Every undotted "i" and every uncrossed "t" will be scrutinized.

At that point, Burris might just be able to go to court and force the Senate to admit him. Many legal scholars believe he has a genuine case here. But even this could take a while -- which would appear to be the whole point.

This all begs an important question: How will the leadership keep this from turning into more of a fiasco than it already is? It gets even worse: The Senate's rules allow a governor to enter the floor to converse with Senators -- which means that Rod Blagojevich himself could show up if he wants. Blago's office says he has no plans to do so, but at this point it's never a smart bet to say that he or anyone else connected to him would take the low-key option.

Two days ago, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) compared the idea of rejecting Burris' appointment to George Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door. At the time it sure sounded like over-the-top racial rhetoric -- but now we might get something that looks oddly similar.

[Vickers]

1. Man, if they were this tough with repukes we might not be in this mess.

Just sayin'.

:eyes:

[liberalmuse]

2. Why? He's a Dem!

So what if Blago appointed him. It's better than a special election where a 'pub could possibly take the seat. Jeez. No wonder our party is so easily mocked by the pukes. :eyes:

[babylonsister]

7. It's the principle now, like it or not.

In 2010 it will come down to an election a rethug could win. I think Dems were counting on the Lt. Gov making the selection this year knowing Burris has no chance in 2010. I'm just angry Blago has no qualms about causing so much damage because he's trying to save his own hide.

Per Dionne:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4752493&mesg_id=4752493

snip//

But Republicans would be merciless about the taint that would attach to Burris’ Senate vote and argue that the nation’s Democratic majority was hopelessly wrapped up in Chicago politics at its most corrupt.

That’s why Democrats have opted for warfare. This will inevitably involve an increasingly tough offensive against Burris himself, a challenge to his judgment in accepting Blagojevich’s gift, and a willingness on the part of Democrats to live without one of Illinois’ Senate votes for a while.

[liberalmuse]

12. You're right. Principle. Thank you.

I knew when I posted that it did not come out the way I meant it to.

That's what I love about the Dems. They have this thing called a conscience followed by a code of ethics. Burris isn't so heinous a choice, but it is how he was chosen that will be the key issue. I agree that it would be more fodder for the Republicans to feast on. They so enjoy getting into the gutter to slime liberals every chance they get. President Obama is going to be getting enough crap from the pub's without this.

[bigtree]

3. Icould understand if there was something about Burris other than Blago appointing him

. . . but that action will not reflect on Blago if they block him, it will reflect on their acceptance of Burris himself.

Whoever they decide is legitimate to appoint one should choose Burris, in the end, anyway. He's a good neutral choice, despite his acceptance of the spot from Blago.

[Skink]

4. The Illinois congress refused a special election.

Seat the man so we can start moving forward.

[madrchsod]

10. they were afraid the republicans would have a good chance

plus the huge cost to the state and the two parties...2010 there`s a real good chance this state will put in a republican in the senate.

[rug]

5. Charming.

[EconomicLiberal]

6. What a bunch of idiots.

I want these people's names. Each and every person who is blocking this nomination should be kicked out of the party. Fuck them. If only they showed this type of obstruction when the Repukes walked all over them from 2000-2006.

[RB TexLa]

8. So does Reid get to play Wallace? Where will he park his high horse?

[madrchsod]

9. Lieberman the traitor is still with us and stevens get an ovation...go figure

we were all proud to elect obama to the senate and now the presidency. now our state has become the laughing stock of the country and the world.

the payback by the voters in illinois is not going to be pretty in 2010.....

[kentuck]

11. Fitzgerald and the Repubs have the Democrats' bowels tied up in knots..

They may explode at any minute? I think the Senate may be over-stepping their authority?

[global1]

13. Blago Is Just Crazy Enough To Show Up At The Senate....

at this point he has nothing to lose by doing so. He will continue to make a scene and keep on embarrassing the party and take as many people down with him as he could. Remember he also said he wasn't going to appoint a replacement and then he did.

As far as saving his own hide - he's going down for probably worse things than trying to peddle Obama's seat. There is no saving him. I just wonder what is going through his mind. For a guy that had delusions of one day running for the Presidency - he sure has shot himself in the foot. He left his Congressional seat to become Governor of Illinois because he thought that a governor's position is a better launch pad for the presidency.

After this fiasco his political career is dead - and that's even if he isn't indicted, convicted and put in jail. I can't fathom what he thinks this is all going to get him and what he will do in the future. He's still a young man and I really don't think he is independently wealthy.

Perhaps the future holds a job with the Faux News Network.

[fishwax]

14. yeesh

:eyes: