Arrangements are under way for a Wednesday meeting between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Roland Burris, the Democrat tapped by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, ABC News has learned.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Does anybody really think that Obama, a constitutional law professor, would side with the senate if he thought they didn't have a leg to stand on constitutionally?
Come to think of it can anybody name anyone but Blagojevich and the Illinios race-baiters who support this appointment?
Rick Warren?
that story jumped the shark
The Dems should do everything they can to keep Burris out the Senate, if they don't an Illinois scandal will become a Washington scandal. Seating Burris will diminish all of the respect that the Dems gained from the public in 08 and will also start a Republican comeback.
Just my opinion, but I dont think they had a choice as bad as the repubs sc re wed up.
No, if Burris makes his own scandal in Washington, then the US Senate has the option to remove him and require Illinois to send somebody else. Until then, the appointment was made by the current Governor, perfectly legally.
I support it, and Obama was wrong to weigh in on this one or another after the release of his transition team's information.
It's a legal appointment and we need to MOVE ON.
Much bigger fish to fry.
And I'm really resentful that while Reid would deny Burris his seat, he's also negotiating with the expired term Coleman for privileges and benefits. Look it up!
Lets just move on, nothing to see here. Blag must go. Dem leadership cant cut a deal with this guy to disappear?
"It's a legal appointment"
According to whom? The Constitution says the Senate gets to decide this question, and they haven't decided yet.
You and I are certainly entitled to our opinions on whether it is legal or not, but it's the Senate's opinion that counts.
If you support Burris than you support Blagojevich and his behavior. Why would you want Burris, a man who couldn't even get elect by the people Illinois, diminish the seat of the President-elect by going through back channels?
Five on the back hand side to that one, MNmommy!
Even though Obama is a constitutional expert, he cannot predict how the courts will weigh in. Most legal experts seem to thing that they will come in on Burris's side.
That's not even close to being true.
Not to worry. Harry Reid will take care of everything.
Lol, I feel better already!!
Even Obama is smart enough to know Burris shouldn't be seated.
ModMania is downer, ugh.
Reid's power is diminished. He knows this.
He has no one to blame but himself. Take a page from Obama, never ever negotiate in the media. All he had to do was admit that constitutionally there was nothing that they could do. He could even have gone far enough to announce that the Dems were hand picking Tammy Duckworth to run in 2010... against Burris or for the open seat. Further, he could have promised the people of Illinois that while the process was tragically flawed Burris was a "good man" and would be about the peoples business. Right there he and the dems are OUT OF IT. Let Blago slug it out with the state legislature (a fight I'm not sure he loses). Instead Reid started making strong declarative statements. We will not seat him. The Cap Police with physically remove him. What the heck is he talking about. He doesn't have the authority to do either thing.No one is as cut throat as the dems Reid isn't majority leader yet. There needs to be a vote.
J
Absolutely right. :o) Peace J.
Reid can keep Burris out. Burris is not a US Senator until the Senate decides to seat him.
If the the Senate votes against seating him, that's it for Burris, at least for the time being.
Burris could sue in federal court that the Senate improperly refused to seat him, and perhaps he might win in a couple of years or so after it all gets appealed up to the Supreme Court. Personally, though, I believe the Senate would be well within its constitutional authority to refuse to seat Burris, and I believe the courts will concur.
The only potential fly in the ointment here is the strength of Reid's spine.
The only people Reid can stand up to are fellow Democrats, but to the Rethuglicans, he's like spaghetti in a pot of boiling water. What's wrong with this guy? Check his advisors for ties to Karl Rove.
Maybe no ones paying attention, it may not hurt the Dems as much as you think, People are focused on more important things, I have been missing TV the last few weeks, but cant recall seeing much about. Then again, I have been tuned out the last few weeks.
I can't believe this story " Harry Reid, D-Nev. " All this time I thought he was a repub.
Obvious assumption. :)
Reid should be replaced.
I Know! he is spineless, worthless, uninspired and uninspiring. Pelosi at least has her moments. He has never done anything but capitulate.
Why isnt there more noise, I cant see how Democrats can be proud of their leadership, except Obama. Can say the same about Repubs, cant be proud to be either one. Throw the b u m s out, how the heck do they get reelected?
Reid will cave in once again!!!
hasn't Reid done enough damage already? Illinois is unhappy with this and do not accept Burris as Obama;'s replacement. Obama is so superior. It's so depressing to have this joke fill the seat of a beloved senator and a slap in the face to us, the people and to Obama.
Good point, but Burris is just a seat-warmer.
In two years you can choose someone equal to the task. (On the bright side, you've got some great possiblities. On the other bright side....with Blago in charge, the choice is unlikely to be better--but could have been a lot worse....)
Seat warmer he may be, but what happens if he decides he wants to run for election in 2 years? What happens if he does a lousy job in the senate and the republicans play that fiddle to voters, along with trumping up the fact that the senate democrats allowed a potentially tainted Blago pick to be sat? Also, Burris and Rush have been playing the race card, and there's a whole lot of people in Illinois that are not happy about that, African Americans included.
I sincerely hope that Reid doesn't allow him to be sat on grounds that he does not have the necessary paperwork complete. Blago should be impeached sometime soon, and as soon as he is, Quinn can make a new senate appointment which Jesse White will sign off on, and then Burris can cry in court all he wants about how he is really the junior senator of Illinois.
Reid needs to seat Burris and STOP negotiating with Coleman for extension of privileges!!!!!!!
huh?
Loading comments…
ABC News | LOUISE SCHIAVONE | January 3, 2009 07:51 PM