Roland Burris is Blago's Selection for Obama's seat

[benny05]

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.

The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they would not seat anyone appointed by the disgraced governor who faces criminal charges of trying to sell the post, sources familiar with the decision said.

Shortly after Obama’s Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich’s arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor’s support.

Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama’s replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he’s never lost to a Republican.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-obama-burris,0,3030056.story

Rich Miller at the Capitol Fax blog reports that Jesse White says he won't certify the appointment, as required for the appointment to be seated. One other problem Miller points out:

A quick check of campaign finance records shows Burris’ consulting company has contributed about $11K to Blagojevich’s campaign fund. The consulting company has benefitted from a bunch of state contracts since then, many of which doing PR work on behalf of IDOT minority contracting efforts.

http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/12/30/this-just-in-179/

It's a shrewd move on Blago's part, but I wonder if White will stand his ground.

[skorpo]

1. He had my vote in the 2002 primary but does not look well today. n/t

[Critters2]

2. I've always held Burris in such high esteem. I was surprised at his poor

performance in the presser. And I'm sorry he's going to lie down with Blago and get up with his fleas.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

3. I voted for him in the 2002 primary

He would be a good senator. I really wish Reid would have stood up to Bush the way he is standing up to Illinois.

[Election_Correction]

4. Senator Burris I presume

Reid is either full of it or dead wrong. There is really no way they can legally prevent him from taking office. There are NO provisions in Senate rules that allow them to judge the qualifications of the person making the appointment.

The Supreme Court case that Reid referenced held that the Senate's ability to judge qualifications are based solely on those listed in the Constitution. Despite what you may think of Blago, Burris meets all those.

[benny05]

5. I think he could win in court

But I find this whole situation disgraceful.

[olkaz]

6. You dont think Reid can force Burris to sue?

Reid can get this tied up in courts long enough for Blagojevich to be impeached.

[Election_Correction]

8. There is a problem with that

The fact that the impeachment was done doesn't invalidate the appointment being made, the same way that an impeachment would not remove people Blago appointed to state boards.

[olkaz]

7. Actually, one other thing... Jesse White has to certify the appointment.

"Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said Tuesday he will not do so. And Senate leaders reiterated that they would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich."

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/dec/31/ill-leaders-puzzled-by-governors-senate

[Election_Correction]

9. Actually I think White overestimated his role

State precedent indicates White signing off on it is more a responsibility rather than a requirement. In other words he is a rubber stamp, there is nothing in the law requiring him to agree with the appointment or giving him the authority to pass personal judgment on the governor making the appointment.

Otherwise a Repub Sec of State would be able to prevent a Dem governor from appointing another Dem to the Senate.

[ColesCountyDem]

10. The state Supreme Court will issue an order of mandamus as soon as Burris asks for one.

Signing off on the appointment is a ministerial act on White's part; if he refuses to do so, all Burris has to do is file in the state Supreme Court for a writ of mandamus and one will probably issue at once, ordering Sec. White to sign the papers.