Blagojevich's Selection of Roland Burris May Be Hard to Undo

Political Posturing, Blagojevich

The appointment of Roland Burris by Blagojevich is his way of getting someone he chose for the Senate to get an absolute seat. Mr. Burris is an African American, by all accounts may be absolutely qualified for the seat, but Blagojevich knew his appointment would be rejected; this way if the Senate doesn't approve him there would be an outcry from African American leaders and the like to force the Senate to accept him regardless. Political Posturing at its most toxic.

Mary Ann Arlotta

Nyack, NY 10960

BLAGO / OBAMA BLINKS

IT'S A NATION OF LAWS -- fITZ MOVES TOO FAST -- OBAMA RUNS HIS MOUTH -- IL. POLS CAN'T COORDINATE --- NO INDICTMENT NO IMPEACHMENT --- SEAT BURRIS AND GET ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR OUR VERY REAL PROBLEMS, SHUT UP REID.!.

Probably is the best that Illinois can offer. The Senate can't refuse to accept Burris, no more than the Ill Secy of State can refuse to record his appointment. This is not a matter where the Ill Secy of State has any discretion, as he/she would if an election certification were at issue like in Minnesota. So the Senate will have to seat him, then it would require two thirds vote to expel Burris for his own, not Blago's, alleged misconduct, which is in the US Const. Article I sec. 5. I don't think the Senate would be able to round up the votes to expel Burris. The choice you would get from the Lt. Gov., were he elevated into the Governorship, would not be much better. And if the democraps are complaining, they only have themselves to blame. Blago told them to pass a law for special election, they refused. They could have passed a law changing how the vacancy was filled, instead the Ill Legislature squabbled and dawdled, giving Blago the last laugh.

Illinois, Worst State in the Union?

Any person willing to accept this appointment under the current circumstances is a person of either low moral character or abject stupidity. An intelligent and principled person would have decline the appointment, but it appears that Burris is looking to chisel one more line into his personal monument.

Absolutely disgusting! Is this really the best that Illinois can offer?!..

MACHIAVELLIEVICH

"Blago" doesn't do the man justice. Just be thankful he doesn't have access to a guillotine, crown and a scepter.

You were making sense up until your contrafactual experiment. "If Fitzgerald had not arrested Blagojevich and held his December 9 press conference" then Burris would not have been the appointee. A better thought experiment would be what would've happened to whoever he *did* appoint in the case that his wheeling and dealing came out (via Fitzgerald) shortly thereafter. Especially if they were found to be involved.