The problem with the machine is the machine.
Posted by seed @ 3:55 PM
RCP: I Want To Play Poker With Harry Reid
That is far too funny not to bring to our three riders' attention. Add to the Blago-fiasco a fumbling, grand-standing fool leader of the Senate. But folks, once again, the point in all of the charades surrounding the fall of Bag-O-Chips has been missed. The focus has been on Blago, and unfortunately not on the system of Illinois politics that has fostered him.
It seems to me that all the shenanigans in DC could have very easily been avoided if the Illinois legislature would have stripped Blago of his appointment powers and called for a special election for the US Senate seat. But after the torches have gone out, the Blue Machine has discovered that they could lose that election to the Republican Party. Anybody else not surprised that not much has happened in IL since Blago's arrest? Me either.
Following that is fatuous nonsense of the highest order. Bobby Rush's assertion that race plays a factor in Burris' rejection is stupendously stooopid. The Senate's refusal to accept Burris as Illinois' senator is baseless. Last time I checked, the IL Secretary of State, Jesse White, does not have veto power of the Governor's appointment. Add to that Reid's latest actions and I want to stick a fork in my head. Seriously, these are the assholes that are our elected representatives?
We are in for it. Holy. Shit.
Comments
I do like that the vote to impeach Governor Helmethead was overwhelming. And that Burriss may have misrepresented his contacts and that just might be enough to keep his lame ass out of the Senate. I have no issue with a run off election at all even if the Dems don't win it, it just seems the fairest option available.
Posted by: Erik | January 9, 2009 12:53 PM
The issue I have with a runoff is that the state constitution spells out the procedures clearly, and a runoff ain't one of 'em. It sucks, but that's the way it is.
Regardless of the governor's actions, if you circumvent the constitution here, then who knows what they'll do next.
Posted by: ~Easy | January 15, 2009 7:49 AM
The IL constitution also states that the pension funds need to be solvent. Of course, they are not. Not a big deal, but it is the constitution.
I'm with Easy on protocol. Which is why I think Reid is baked in his initial assurance that no Blago pick would be seated. There's no protocol for that at the Fed level. However, given the circumstances, I do think public support for a special election outweighs the legality. I know, kinda fuzzy logic. But if the state is not going to fix it, I do not think that the Fed has the responsibility or the authority.
In a peculiar irony, IL had a proposition on the Nov ballot asking voters if a constitutional convention should be called, as is the protocol every so many years. The prop lost handedly, mainly because all the cops and fireman did not want anybody rearranging the pension they were sold, but the city has no way to pay for by any stretch of the imagination.
If the Con-Con had been called for. You can bet your ass that the specifics about the Governor's limits of power would have come up for review.
Posted by: seed | January 15, 2009 1:29 PM