My impression was that the law compelled them to comply and name Burris. Is there new info on this that indicates otherwise?
nicho
· 10 months ago
The Senate sets its own rules for who it seats.
Steve_in_CNJ
· 10 months ago
but there was no way the full senate was ever going to vote to exclude burris. he was supposed to just back down and go away. obama et al. got played by blago and burris, not the republicans.
John Aravosis
· 10 months ago
They have lawyers, they should have known this a week ago before they all spoke out so forcefully.
KarenMrsLloydRichards
· 10 months ago
Haiku for the Obama Administration (#33):
Plantation house blocked-- Standing in the freezing rain Sad-eyed Trailblazer
teammarty
· 10 months ago
you gotta get a book deal
KarenMrsLloydRichards
· 10 months ago
B-b-but! Obama's a "master of principled compromise"! It's what America voted for! Really, he's "America's President", not just the left-wing blogosphere's! He's really a moderate Republican, just like America, which is always, ultimately center-right!
(I learned all this from the corporate media . . .)
nicho
· 10 months ago
In case anyone hasn't noticed, Barry jumped the shark about six moves back.
mirth
· 10 months ago
Get ready for 4 years of blinks as the Neo train speeds us to complete ruin.
OT
To the person who earlier asked IF Israel was in the wrong, why doesn't the UN intervene:
"The U.N. suspended aid shipments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and the Red Cross restricted its convoys after their trucks came under Israeli fire. [...] The driver of the U.N. truck died immediately; another worker in the truck died later of his wounds. The truck, which came under fire in northern Gaza, was marked with the U.N. flag and insignia."
grandma
· 10 months ago
but Harry said he doesn't work for Obama......
Indigo
· 10 months ago
Sorry, John, but you can't rewrite the consitution of your home state because you're unhappy with Blago's gay style. Personally, I think he's cute and in the dark, all cats are Democrats . . . or something like that. ☺
John Aravosis
· 10 months ago
Then O R and D shouldn't have laid down the law a week ago. That is what disturbs me, this just makes them all look even weaker.
Gridlock
· 10 months ago
They don't appear to be unduly concerned with how they appear to anybody else but themselves.
Strategically dense, tactically dangerous.
FAIL.
red_dwarf
· 10 months ago
twa-la
Indigo
· 10 months ago
I see your point. In fact, similar developments are bothering me increasingly. The pattern that's developing is a strong statement followed by action that does not support the statement followed by a new strong statement with a fresh point of view. Is it all starting to look inconsistent? I'm not sure yet.
triple7s
· 10 months ago
I don't live in IL, however he just doesn't seem to be the kind of pol that could win a statewide election. IL residents could speak to that.
interlude
· 10 months ago
this is the wrong fight to pick. it is a waste of time and proves nothing. Burris is a machine dem from chicago who wins statewide races and there is no reason legally to reject him. Reid et al should never had made it a problem.
teammarty
· 10 months ago
Really?? I've heard Burris described as the "Loveable Loser" who everybody likes but always comes in 2nd. The perenial bridesmate candidate
elRey
· 10 months ago
One thing I'm sure about is that I'm sick of Harry Reid, this guy will roll over for any reason except to get a pair of cajones! I wish the Democrats would learn ONE THING from the Republicans in the past 8 years and that's how WELL solidarity works. Its never gonna happen in the Democratic caucus with Harry Reid and Diane Feinstein etc. and the indications that Obama is a true-to-form wishy-washy 'roll-over' Democrat is not a good omen. He should forget about tax breaks for now and spend money that will effect change in the economy. Bush just gave out tax breaks with zero net effect. WTF?
grandma
· 10 months ago
OT:
The Advocate has reported that President-elect Barack Obama selected former Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund executive director Brian Bond to serve as the deputy director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison. Bond led the organization from 1997 to 2003.
Wow, the deputy director of a glorified PR agency or meeting-planning agency. Just one step above being a go-fer.
Public Liaison The Office of Public Liaison promotes Presidential priorities through outreach to concerned constituencies and public interest groups. This includes planning White House briefings, meetings, and large events with the President, Vice President, and other White House staff.
Well, you know those gays -- always good at planning "events."
Steve_in_CNJ
· 10 months ago
lol. obama will have a gay butler and now also a gay social secretary. who will be the white house florist?
Boycottutah
· 10 months ago
Crumbs for the dogs.
foxy
· 10 months ago
Well, he needed someone to look after his new puppy.
sukabi1
· 10 months ago
if the legislature didn't vote for a special election (they didn't), then it's up to the gov to make the appointment (according to their state constitution)...
Blago's still the gov... hasn't been impeached yet, or removed from office... so he has the right to appoint whoever he wants, regardless of what you, or anyone else, might want... if he gets caught selling the office to the highest bidder, that's different... but he's innocent until proven guilty (he hasn't been proven guilty yet)... that is how our justice system is supposed to work.
The Dems and Obama jumped the gun in making their first statements on this, and apparently don't have the law to back them up...
red_dwarf
· 10 months ago
sukabi1 - true, they jumped the gun. However, that is hardly an excuse for a show of bravado when in the end you wind up looking like the asshat that you are. Smart people don't jump the gun unless they're read to back it up. Just another demonstration of the carnival we now know as the Democratic congress (not cutting the facist right wing rat bastards any slack, of course they're loving this - just that jumping the gun isn't something someone with intelligence generally does.
sukabi1
· 10 months ago
didn't say it was an excuse. The whole thing has been poorly "managed"... and should be a reason to change HOW vacant seats are filled... seems that a special election would serve "the people" better than a political appointment to an elected office.
but our "system" has turned into a carnival of privileged idiots running the country into the ditch for their own benefit, and without massive pressure / disruption from "the people" neither "party" is going to change the way they do "business"...
Joel
· 10 months ago
I like Lewis Black's take on Republicans and Democrats.
Republicans, the party of bad ideas. Democrats, the party of no ideas. How they work together. Republican stands up and says, "I have a really bad idea!" Democrat answers, "I have a way to make it even shittier."
Barack Obama, caving? Where's the change? Oh, my pocket.
Older_Wiser
· 10 months ago
The best part (for them) is, they get PAID anyway.
red_dwarf
· 10 months ago
It was a circus act, starring Obama and the Senate Dem clowns. Strike one for the rePigs.
lpeggy
· 10 months ago
This blog has been one of my favorites since the primaries. But the comments I read lately, remind me of the Obama-bashing I read during both the primaries and during the general election from the right-wingnuts. Sad.
foxy
· 10 months ago
Well I guess honey if the shoe fits wear it. Dorothy did.
jcgraham77
· 10 months ago
As a grassroots/political group we took the reigns of control from evildoes and handed them to the keystone cops...I hope it goes to commercial break before we go over the cliff.
Older_Wiser
· 10 months ago
Senate "rules" have been effected, and violated, since their inception and have been added to over the years. For instance, an original rule states no flowers in the chambers, but that was changed to permit them to be placed on a deceased senator's desk.
OR&D can get over it...IL law was followed, and didn't present a barrier to Burris's installation as senator. The man has not served in a public office in 15 years and will be a placeholder, voting with Dems, until 2010 and more than likely no harm will come from him being there.
Blago may be a sleaze but he isn't convicted yet. What were the Dems thinking...months without an additional Dem vote was a good thing? They still don't have Franken yet, either. That could be tied up for months, too.
nogopostal
· 10 months ago
Can someone please link to Burris being seated? I know..I know... there is no reason to doubt the Village sources... Here...I was thinking we had moved beyond a set attitude based upon shadow speculation.... Obama sold out...there is indisputable proof...(right?) Obama has "caved" ...We have the indisputable proof... (damn I could not find the youtube where Obama says "seat him"...) Please link or embed... C'mon folks..it we cannot put our shoulder to the wheel of rumor and innuendo...what good are we?
sukabi1
· 10 months ago
he hasn't been seated yet, their SOS or someone has to certify / sign-off on him, and then the senate has to follow procedures and vote to seat him... could take another couple of weeks, if they want to draw it out...
Rustyzipper
· 10 months ago
Just had on the impeachment hearings here in Illinois.. Burris Past comm. questions with flying colors (no pun).
He was appointed legally, and is a good man. The Jerk that appointed him will be gone soon... all that has to happen now is the Il Courts to tell wacko SOS to sign the damm appointment.
Now lets more on.
Griffon
· 10 months ago
As I am loath to point out, the agents of real progressive change (cavalierly relegated to 'unelectable') were aggressively sidelined by our media overlords long before the campaigns got any momentum. Say what you will about candidates like D. Kucinich, but he was the only one who walked the talk, voted against the patriot act, repeatedly attempted to impeach the bush administration, end the war, hold bush and cheney to account, and basically acted on his stated convictions; consequently posing a genuine threat to the 'powers that be.' The corporations.
As Obama continues to capitulate, continues to disappoint his disillusioned followers, they can perhaps find their solace in more leprechaun jokes while waiting in the unemployment line.
larz69
· 10 months ago
Legally Blago is still govenor and this is within his authority to do. Burris is a well respected man in Illinios and it would be very sad for us to see this be the thing we remeber him for. He was the first African American voted into statewide office here. It's sad that Burris is a pawn in this power struggle, but no one is questioning his ethics or abilities. As a resident of Illinois, I would like the idiots in DC (and right now John, I hate to say, you're one of them) to stop making this national news and let Burris get to work for those of us he is responsible to.
Older_Wiser
· 10 months ago
Dems in Senate Finance Committee criticizing tax relief (from Yahoo):
WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
They were especially critical of a proposed $3,000 tax credit for companies that hire or retrain workers. (More) ---------
Kent Conrad, John Kerry and Ron Wyden were all critical of tax cuts as doing nothing to stimulate the economy and said the money would be better spent on infrastructure.
There's going to be a lot of horse trading on this bill before sometime in Feb., when it's expected to pass.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 10 months ago
Democrats have a long history of capitulating to Bush and the Republicans
-----------------------
Lets start using the word "genuflecting" instead!!!
Fits much better!
ezpz
· 10 months ago
I saw Burris being grilled by the Illinois legislative body on C-SPAN.
I mean he was being GRILLED with nasty rhetorical questions as though he were on trial. It smelled rotten to me - as though Reid had talked to the body telling them to cast a shadow of 'taint' around Burris.
It really bothered me to see how disrespectfully Burris has been/is being treated by the (white) powers that be.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 10 months ago
Its called institutional racism. It's alive and well in the honky world we live in.....
Griffon
· 10 months ago
Then that would explain Burris' insistence on the death penalty for an innocent (hispanic) man.
(hyperlinks in original)
While state attorney general in 1992, Burris aggressively sought the death penalty for Rolando Cruz, who twice was convicted of raping and murdering a 10-year-old girl in the Chicago suburb of Naperville. The crime took place in 1983.
But by 1992, another man had confessed to the crime, and Burris’ own assistant attorney general was pleading with Burris to drop the case, then on appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court.
Burris refused. He was running for governor.
"Anybody who understood this case wouldn’t have voted for Burris," Rob Warden, executive director of the Center on Wrongful Convictions, told ProPublica. Indeed, Burris lost that race, and two other attempts to become governor.
Burris’ role in the Cruz case was "indefensible and in defiance of common sense and common decency," Warden said. "There was obvious evidence that [Cruz] was innocent."
Political racism....alive and well and isn't just for 'whites' anymore...
sherifffruitfly
· 10 months ago
No it's not. White folks tell me so.
teammarty
· 10 months ago
Oh yeah, let's treat Candidate Six with kid gloves.
sherifffruitfly
· 10 months ago
They were supposed to stop it HOW, precisely?
Once Reid idiotically drew the line in the sand, the end result was settled.
jurassicpork
· 10 months ago
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
I honestly think we just made a big fucking mistake. The more I hear Obama talk, the more I think we just got that third Bush term that we dreaded from McCain. When Obama is short-stroking the lamest of lame ducks, the worst president in US history, while alienating Democrats, coddling the Israelis and sucking up to the likes of Lieberman, something wicked this way comes.
Yes, we just made a big fucking mistake. Change you deserve, my bleeding ass.
TheNeedle
· 10 months ago
You're right. Obama SUXXXXXX. McCain would have been better.
All Comments
My impression was that the law compelled them to comply and name Burris. Is there new info on this that indicates otherwise?
Plantation house blocked--
Standing in the freezing rain
Sad-eyed Trailblazer
(I learned all this from the corporate media . . .)
OT
To the person who earlier asked IF Israel was in the wrong, why doesn't the UN intervene:
UN truck comes under deadly fire in Gaza
"The U.N. suspended aid shipments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday and the Red Cross restricted its convoys after their trucks came under Israeli fire.
[...]
The driver of the U.N. truck died immediately; another worker in the truck died later of his wounds. The truck, which came under fire in northern Gaza, was marked with the U.N. flag and insignia."
Strategically dense, tactically dangerous.
FAIL.
Burris is a machine dem from chicago who wins statewide races
and there is no reason legally to reject him.
Reid et al should never had made it a problem.
The perenial bridesmate candidate
The Advocate has reported that President-elect Barack Obama selected former Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund executive director Brian Bond to serve as the deputy director of the White House Office of the Public Liaison. Bond led the organization from 1997 to 2003.
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily...
Public Liaison
The Office of Public Liaison promotes Presidential priorities through outreach to concerned constituencies and public interest groups. This includes planning White House briefings, meetings, and large events with the President, Vice President, and other White House staff.
Well, you know those gays -- always good at planning "events."
Blago's still the gov... hasn't been impeached yet, or removed from office... so he has the right to appoint whoever he wants, regardless of what you, or anyone else, might want... if he gets caught selling the office to the highest bidder, that's different... but he's innocent until proven guilty (he hasn't been proven guilty yet)... that is how our justice system is supposed to work.
The Dems and Obama jumped the gun in making their first statements on this, and apparently don't have the law to back them up...
but our "system" has turned into a carnival of privileged idiots running the country into the ditch for their own benefit, and without massive pressure / disruption from "the people" neither "party" is going to change the way they do "business"...
Republicans, the party of bad ideas.
Democrats, the party of no ideas.
How they work together.
Republican stands up and says, "I have a really bad idea!"
Democrat answers, "I have a way to make it even shittier."
Barack Obama, caving? Where's the change? Oh, my pocket.
OR&D can get over it...IL law was followed, and didn't present a barrier to Burris's installation as senator. The man has not served in a public office in 15 years and will be a placeholder, voting with Dems, until 2010 and more than likely no harm will come from him being there.
Blago may be a sleaze but he isn't convicted yet. What were the Dems thinking...months without an additional Dem vote was a good thing? They still don't have Franken yet, either. That could be tied up for months, too.
I know..I know...
there is no reason to doubt the Village sources...
Here...I was thinking we had moved beyond a set attitude based upon shadow speculation....
Obama sold out...there is indisputable proof...(right?)
Obama has "caved" ...We have the indisputable proof...
(damn I could not find the youtube where Obama says "seat him"...)
Please link or embed...
C'mon folks..it we cannot put our shoulder to the wheel of rumor and innuendo...what good are we?
He was appointed legally, and is a good man. The Jerk that appointed him will be gone soon... all that has to happen now is the Il Courts to tell wacko SOS to sign the damm appointment.
Now lets more on.
As Obama continues to capitulate, continues to disappoint his disillusioned followers, they can perhaps find their solace in more leprechaun jokes while waiting in the unemployment line.
WASHINGTON – President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
They were especially critical of a proposed $3,000 tax credit for companies that hire or retrain workers. (More)
---------
Kent Conrad, John Kerry and Ron Wyden were all critical of tax cuts as doing nothing to stimulate the economy and said the money would be better spent on infrastructure.
There's going to be a lot of horse trading on this bill before sometime in Feb., when it's expected to pass.
-----------------------
Lets start using the word "genuflecting" instead!!!
Fits much better!
I mean he was being GRILLED with nasty rhetorical questions as though he were on trial. It smelled rotten to me - as though Reid had talked to the body telling them to cast a shadow of 'taint' around Burris.
It really bothered me to see how disrespectfully Burris has been/is being treated by the (white) powers that be.
(hyperlinks in original)
http://www.propublica.org/article/in-90s-burris...
Political racism....alive and well and isn't just for 'whites' anymore...
Once Reid idiotically drew the line in the sand, the end result was settled.
I honestly think we just made a big fucking mistake. The more I hear Obama talk, the more I think we just got that third Bush term that we dreaded from McCain. When Obama is short-stroking the lamest of lame ducks, the worst president in US history, while alienating Democrats, coddling the Israelis and sucking up to the likes of Lieberman, something wicked this way comes.
Yes, we just made a big fucking mistake. Change you deserve, my bleeding ass.
O'Same
Six of one. Half a dozen of another