Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ya-ta Boy]

"WASHINGTON � Roland Burris failed in his bid to take President-elect Barack Obama's Illinois Senate seat on Tuesday in a scripted piece of political theater staged just before the opening of the 111th Congress.

"Mr. Burris is not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said in his speech opening the new session of Congress.

Burris, 71, earlier confirmed that Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson had informed him in a private meeting that his credentials lacked a required signature and his state's seal."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/ap_on_go_co/senate_burris

Poor Mr. Burris. I think the Senate has handled this poorly. Burris was appointed by a sitting governor who has the legal authority to do so. I can't believe the Illinois constitution says that a governor can appoint but the Sec. of State (or whichever official didn't sign the papers) has the power to veto an appointment.

If this goes to court, Burris will win--and should.

[caniff]

As an aside (for what it's worth), Obama was the lone black member of the Senate. Should Burris fail in his attempt to be seated, we'd be looking at an all-honky Senate once again. (I just throw that out there as a matter of fact).

Anyway, I think Burris has the legal standing to get himself seated. Harry Reid is on thin ice re: this situation.

[Kuros]

The SecState's duty to sign the appointment is ministerial, not discretionary. This is unambiguous on the state level (ambiguous on the Federal level only b/c of the Marbury decision).

The Senate is delaying, and they'll delay as long as they can until Blagojevich may be prosecuted.

[kotakji]

[caniff]