On the issue of Blagojevich's appointment, the Dems, including Obama, are in full agreement.

[ProSense]

Blagojevich is corrupt and Burris, who only weeks earlier was in complete agreement with Dems, is an idiot for joining Blagojevich's circus. By accepting Blagojevich's appointment, Burris set himself up as a self-serving hypocrite. Apparently, his principles go out the door when his own interests are at stake.

The Dems stated their position on Dec. 10, nearly three weeks before this fiasco of an appointment. At the time Burris was making the same arguments, and calling for Blagojevich to be removed from office. It was OK then. In fact, all the discussions on the left seemed to be centered on disqualifying Jesse Jackson Jr. because Blago mentioned his name. Some seemed determined to implicate Rahm and the Obama team in the scandal. When those two points were being discussed Blago was radioactive. Now that Burris made the foolish decision to inject himself into Blagojevich's warped reality, the Democrats are wrong for continuing to stand their ground. Burris knew the deal and shouldn't have accepted the appointment.

Durbin and Reid drafted the letter, which was signed by all the Democrats and Bernie Sanders, who has reiterated the Dems position since.

Sanders: Blagojevich Situation A Disgrace

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is calling the situation involving Illinois' Governor Rod Blagojevich trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat a "disgrace."

"What upsets me about that is it just makes young people look at the political process and think everybody is like this guy and it's certainly not the case," Sanders said. "It's a disgrace period. What we said in the Senate is we would not accept his nomination, that it's been tarnished."

Sanders hopes that Blagojevich will leave office soon.

Durbin on Blagojevich, Burris

On the issue of Blagojevich, the Dems, including Obama, are in full agreement.

The Senate Dems also fully support Reid:

Reid was re-elected Majority Leader by the Democratic caucus without an opposition on November 18, 2008, winning all 57 votes.

US Senate Majority Leader

They made the determination, which is within their Constitutional authority, not to seat Blagojevich's appointment.

Laurence Tribe: The Senate doesn't have to seat Burris.








edited typo

[annabanana]

1. MSNBC sure is pushing hard the "inevitabillity" of his being seated..

Tweety is sure of it..

[babylonsister]

5. So is Buchanan, but I suspect he's looking towards 2010.

How different of him to be supporting a black man suddenly with his previous racial biases on record.

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Burris has the law on his side

The problem for him that the wheels of justice turn slowly, so this could be tied up in court for a while.

[Gman]

2. Burris has made himself the poster child for useful idiots

and is doing a damn good job.

[JuniperLea]

3. Exactly!

He lost all remaining credibility by not refusing. He just looks pathetic now. And now Jesse Jackson, Jr. is playing the race card... seems horribly desperate to me.

[OHdem10]

4. First "mistake" the Dems have made.

American People do not always see things the way DC insiders do.

[ProSense]

11. Americans agree with Dems

Interest in the dispute is high — six in 10 are following it closely — and support for Burris is scant. By nearly 2-1, 51% to 27%, those surveyed say the Senate should block him from taking his seat. A similar majority, 52%, say Illinois should hold a special election as soon as possible to fill the office.

link

[riqster]

6. Consistency, what a amazing spectacle! nt

[Tatiana]

8. Co-sign. And I can't believe the arguments I've read in favor of seating Burris.

I don't give a damn who Blago appointed. He TRIED TO SELL OUR U.S. SENATE SEAT! HELLO! We don't know what Blago was promised from former IL Attorney General Burris - whose ego and megalomania is clearly evident by his going to Washington without proper certification. What the hell did he think would happen other than a shameful spectacle?

Why in the hell would anyone want such an appointment from such a corrupt governor? It's clear that Burris is power-hungry and since he can't win a legitimate election, he'll sell his soul to become a Senator for any period of time. It is clear that he does not have the best interests of Illinois residents at heart, but instead is concerned with nothing but personal ambition. This is a man who knew Rolando Cruz was innocent and sentenced him to death anyway.

But irrespective of Burris' failings, I would oppose anyone appointed by Blago. There is no way to know that the appointment was not made for Blago's personal or professional gain. Not to mention, if Burris was seated, we'd be handing the seat to the Republicans in the next election.

[polichick]

9. Wish they were in full agreement about impeachment - or even about making Rove testify.

[Solomon]

10. Ding ding! You get a biscuit. LOL

How come they can always come to agreement on some crap like this but not the mega issues?