Roland Burris should be judged on his own merits. The appointment is legitimate.

[bigtree]

If there is to be a judgment against Blagojevich from the Illinois legislature limiting his authority to appoint a Senator to Barack Obama's seat there hasn't been any sign of one pending. The earlier attempt to allow voters to decide failed. The argument that some sort of move to impeach the Governor or take away his power to appoint is pending isn't the same as actually stripping him of it.

The Senate has to accept Mr. Burris because they have no right to decide how Illinois sends it's Senators to the body except to judge the general qualifications in outlined in the Constitution and bolstered by the rebuke of the court to Congress in Adam Clayton Powell's case where he argued to be seated amid controversy over his financial dealings.

Burris should be judged on his own merits and seated if he measures up to the general qualifications under the Senate rules and the Constitution.

[Faygo Kid]

1. Isn't going to happen.

Despite your protestations, the Senate will not seat Burris.

No Blagojevich appointment will succeed. None.

[hlthe2b]

6. Secretary of State is saying he won't file necessary paperwork

Bureaucracy alone may prevent his being seated....LOL

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2008/12/blago_stopped_c.php

[bigtree]

8. The SOS might be violating his mandate if there isn't any legislative action

. . . limiting the Governor's authority.

[hlthe2b]

11. So.... he won't be seated until they settle the matter in court...

By that time, Blog may well be out of there and the matter will be settled. I think Burris was foolish to accept this. He will be left holding the (empty) bag, I predict.

[bigtree]

15. I don't know how anyone can then justify turning away from him

. . . without explaining what they have against him personally. That looks like it's already becoming the question.

[hlthe2b]

16. I don't think it is against him personally, but rather the process

Blog is trying to do any end-run having been given notice that his appointment would not be considered legitimate and would be fought.

I don't think it has much of anything to do with Burris... I am just learning about Burris. Seemed outstanding initially. Now some doubt might be creeping into the assessment as the media is delving a bit deeper as they should. But, still he seems an ok candidate to me, if only a placeholder.

[On the Road]

13. That May be,

but what the OP was saying is that if Burris is an acceptable candidate and there was no corruption involved in the appointment, what is the compelling reason for blocking the appointment? It's legal, and blocking it because the sitting governor appears to be corrupt would seem to be straining the law.

[hlthe2b]

2. Let's judge Burris on his own words and actions...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4743186

What a 'friggin sell-out hypoocrit.

[bigtree]

3. he's a good choice

. . . the condemnation of Blago gives him as much distance as anyone else.

The Illinois legislature can dither for months and deny their state a Senator. In the absence of them acting decisively, Blagojevich gets the authority by default. He made a good choice.

[hlthe2b]

5. I don't know whether Burris is a good choice and if so, for whom?

Good choice from the standpoint of Blog, perhaps... maybe as a placeholder, but ???

But, in terms of whether he will be seated or not, beyond Reid's claims that they can block, this may be the more relevant obstacle:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2008/12/blago_stopped_c.php

[billybob537]

10. I've got 14,000 reasons Blago picked Burris!

Burris donated $14,000 to Blago.

[bigtree]

14. $14,000 since 2002

meh

[billybob537]

4. Blago's last defiant act

He's begging you not to seat his choice. He wants to start a giant pissing contest.
The best strategy at this point is to wait him out. After he is indicted you can decertify his choice. His successor should choose a senator.
Rep. Rush Jumps on the racism train, dares you to try and stop this appointment! Not because it's a legitimate appointment but because He's black? "Rodney King Yo" is in effect what he's saying. Blago will laugh at this circus from his jail cell, no matter which way it turns out!

[bigtree]

7. I think he made the pick to show he could act responsibly

. . . playing innocent in the face of the ugly politics uncovered by Fitzgerald.

[TZ]

9. Blago made sure he picked someone who donated to him.

Thats a version of pay to play in my book. And yet this guy was outraged until it was inconvenient for him to be..Harris is a sell out. No ifs ands or buts.

[malaise]

12. 100% correct

but if Harry Reid wants to take it to the Supreme Court, it would be a fitting end to his leadership.
The appointment is legal. The governor is a jackass but he is still the governor. he has not been indicted let alone found guilty. Even more important the Illinois legislature did not change the rules so it's the sitting governor's call. What's more even if they impeach him next week, the appointment is still legal.

What's more frightening to me is the precedent Dems are setting.