I think Bobby Rush just accused Jesse White* of attempting to lynch Roland Burris.
- Jesse White is African-American, in case you don’t know.
So now Burris has lost his attempt to force Jesse White to sign the form. The Illinois Supreme court’s comments that such a signature is not required notwithstanding as they do have jurisdiction over Senate rules.
And Blago is impeached. Trial to be held in the Illinois Senate next week.
Burris has little support in Illinois (see link above.)
So some of those questions, such as whether or not Quinn could rescind and appoint someone else if Burris is not yet sworn in, become very significant afterall.
Wow.
Update:
Reid said this week that once Burris had done his part, the Senate Rules Committee and then the full Senate will likely have to agree to seat him
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/01/burris_clears_a.html
*Roland Burris moved a significant step closer to replacing President-elect Barack Obama in the US Senate when the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the state secretary of state’s signature isn’t required on his appointment document after all.
It is one of the legal hurdles that leaders of the Senate set before they would seat Burris. The other appeared to be met on Thursday when Burris testified …
After initially flatly refusing to seat Burris, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democratic leaders opened the door this week to Burris taking the spot. *
I’ll predict Burris is in before next Friday.
Interesting how different sources interpret the same ruling. One calls it a Burris loss the other a victory.
I do not claim to know which it is but I am not so sure any one here or even anywhere else does either.
Also, following a 529 link is this.
It seems like things are not quite yet completely settled. By next Friday? Maybe they will be. But I can also imagine a foot dragging to accept Burris on one or another process, a quick impeachment trial, and a question about if a new governor can rescind an unconsumated appointment going to a court battle.
It is indeed a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, the ILSC (text of ruling, PDF) has found that nothing in Illinois law compels White to sign the appointment.
On the other hand, it has opined that the US Senate rules don’t require it anyway (US Senate Rule II), and that if they DO require it, they may be unconstitutional.
But guess what–the Senate writes and interprets its own rules, and if they’re unconstitutional, it’s the place of SCOTUS to say so, not the ILSC.
As I’ve said, I don’t think Burris should be seated. But I’m starting to feel sorry for the guy. It’s like when you have a computer problem at work, and hardware and software point fingers at each other.
Wow, that’s a tough one. You could argue that while those forms are only recommended, the fact that they all include a space for the Secretary of State’s signature means that it is an integral part of whatever form is used.
If it weren’t required, then why include it on the form? Using that logic, you could say that the Governor’s signature wasn’t required, or that no documentation at all was required since these forms are only “recommended”.
Clearly the IL Supremes wanted no part of this…
That was my worth very little thought. Which is why, what with the potential of an imminent Blago departure appearing more likely, there may be a move to send this to the Senate Rules Committee for a verdict … depending on what the Senate legal minds tell them would the case about Quinn having a chance to rescind an unconsumated appointment.
Burris is going to be seated. Apparently the Illinois SOS changed his mind and issued a letter affirming his appointment and Reid and Durbin think it’s sufficient.
Yes, and it looks by this Thursday.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/01/13/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4718858.shtml
Burris has been seated on the 15th, in case anyone didn’t know.
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/01/burris_joins_th.html