re: Burris, can the republicans filibuster his being seated? Story says Democrats

[AlinPA]

will seat him "barring objections from republicans". Last week McConnell said all 41 republicans want an election in IL and in the next sentence talked about filibusters in general.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090112/ap_on_go_co/senate_burris

[babylonsister]

1. They probably won't; they love the fact that this (tainted) Dem is

there, provides more of an opportunity for them in 2010.

And a rethug on tweety called him tainted 10 minutes ago.

[AlinPA]

3. I'll take the extra vote. They bark like hyenas all the time.

[IsItJustMe]

8. If people don't like governors to pick Senate seats, then they need to change the law, taint or no

taint.

[babylonsister]

10. Most governors don't have the self-inflicted problems Blago does.

Normally it wouldn't be an issue.

[LaPera]

2. No way it's IL law. The governor in IL chooses the senator - No matter

how much shit the governor is going through & accused of, he's still the governor, and Burris was certified by the IL Secretary of State as well...now it's the Dems in the senates call...The republicans can't do a thing about it...they have NOTHING to do with it! That's why the Dems will seat Burris.

[AlinPA]

16. If the republicans don't have anything to do with it, why do the Democrats?

[Uzybone]

4. No they can't

[LaPera]

5. Now the Dems have one more seat to fight for - Frankens! And the republicans are going

to do all they can to grab Franken's senate seat in court....Franken was declared the winner.

Dems better be fighting for that six years senate seat in court as hard or harder than the fucking republicans, the republicans want it very badly....My guess, Franken will officially be the next Senator from MN.

[jody]

6. Interesting question. Hope someone has an answer from a credible source. n/t

[LaPera]

7. Nothing more credible than the facts, if one pays attention to what's going on! n/t

[AlinPA]

9. ???

[jody]

11. Do you have a source confirming that a filibuster is or is not possible under Senate rules? n/t

[LaPera]

12. It seems obvious on what possible grounds could a filibuster be enacted?

The reason the Dems will seat Burris is because Illinois law is very clear, the governor picks the senator, Dems including & especially Senator Reid, tried every possible way themselves to get around it and not seat Burris, but the law is the law and again IL law is very clear.

Governor: Rod Blagojevich make the selection and he is the governor - Burris was just certified by the IL SOS office to legally clear the way for Burris legally being seated....

The republicans are doing all they can, anything they can to try to force an election in IL where they would have a chance to seat a republican senator...they are grasping and hoping to put pressure on the Dems...but again Burris has met ALL the requirement set by IL law....Burris will be seated....and the republicans will scream....

Just as the republicans will scream even if Al Fraken wins the corut battle...again the republicans will threaten to filibuster and it will go nowhere....Frankens seat is the republicans best shot at stealing/grabbing another senate seat...

But Burris is in, and there's nothing the republicans can do but scream about it....and point fingers at the slimy Governor Blagojevich.

[jody]

13. I see your answer is no. Thanks. n/t

[LaPera]

14. The answer is YES!

Got it yet....The republicans or Dems can filibuster anything they like...but the republicans have no legal ground to stand on in this matter, so it goes nowhere, it's NOT the republicans choice, just more republican posturing, bullying, threats & hoping they can get a new election out of it....But just pointing fingers at corrupt (but still legally in office) Governor Blagojevich by the republicans as their reason is not going to do it and that will go nowhere...that part is all legal, it's the IL Democratic Goveronr's choice.

[jody]

15. My question was re credible source and you have not presented one. Thanks and good bye. n/t

[SoCalDem]

17. Oh good grief!

If the republicans "let" us, we'll seat him..<cue hand-wringing & begging>..

It's high time to stop "letting" the weakened minority lead us around by the nose..:grr:

[AlinPA]

18. We don't have 60 votes. My question is about procedure in senate.

[LaPera]

19. Senate Democratic aides and Senate GOP aides disagreed over how much Republican support

would be necessary for the Burris appointment to be accepted. One Democratic aide said it would take three-fifths of the Senate, meaning Republican votes in the affirmative would be necessary.

A Republican aide countered that all it would take is a majority vote, something the Democrats could clearly handle given that they hold 57 seats.

Seating Burris would only require three-fifths if the Republicans filibuster the motion to seat him, which they don't appear inclined to do, at least at the moment. (That could change, depending on Republican willingness to make trouble for trouble's sake.) Is that what the Democratic aides were talking about?

"McConnell, maintaining his call for a special election to fill Obama’s seat, would not speculate on how he or his Conference would vote on the matter, although several Republicans confirmed that Burris’ installment was unlikely to be blocked."

Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas), for one, said he is in favor based on what he knows "today."

"I would be inclined, if he’s got the proper certificate, which is what Rule II of the Senate rules require, I’d be inclined to seat him," Cornyn said.

And of course Burris has the necessary certifications from the IL SOS - Burris will be seated.

[AlinPA]

20. I don't understand it. My understanding is that the question of Burris' seating was to go before

the entire senate for a vote. That's where the question of filibuster comes up with me. They could block cloture with 41 or 42 votes.

[LaPera]

21. Yes, it appears to be the case as you stated...However....

Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas), for one, said he is in favor based on what he knows "today."

"I would be inclined, if he’s got the proper certificate, which is what Rule II of the Senate rules require, I’d be inclined to seat him," Cornyn said.

Again, Burris has the necessary certification, so the republicans wouldn't really have a leg to stand on, but filibustering vindictively is possible, as we know the republicans are more than capable of to taint the seating of Burris, to increase their chances of winning the seat in 2010 - or hope it gets enough attention and momentum from the republicans threats to get a special election, not likely though.

[AlinPA]

22. We shall see. A lot of energy is being burned in senate about this problem.