As long as Blago is the legal sitting governor, and the legislature has not approved a special election, the Dems should shut up and seat his choice. They don't own the Senate. If Blago tried appointing someone to head the Illinois Democratic Party, they could block him.

It's completely unfair.

I'm interested to hear why someone would think this is fair. This block opens up a huge can of legislative worms.

Yep, Blagojevich hasn't been taken out of office so who he appoints as the senator SHOULD BE the senator. It's the constitution.

I understand that technically he should be seated, but honestly, who would trust this guy?

So yes, techinically, he should be seated. But I would hope that the people of Illinois would think they deserve better then a tainted Senator.

Who knows who to trust in this situation.
I feel bad for Burris if he really had nothing to do with Blagojevich.

I don't feel bad for Burris for a SECOND. Its total minipulative BS.

He would have scored major points with the people of Illinois if he would have said, You know what, he wants to offer me this, but in good conscience I can't take it because I don't know the extent of his corruption.

Can you imagine that?!?! An honest and honorable politician! From Illinois!

So no, no one should feel bad for him. He knew exactly what he was heading into.

I think this whole affair is outrageous. Our elected leaders are treating a man who did absolutely nothing wrong like a hot potato and he doesn't deserve it.

The Secretary of State of Illinois is (required) by law to sign and stamp the Gov. selection to the U.S. Senate seat. They are not asked to, they are required to by law to simply certify that the Gov. has made his/her appointment. What the Sec. of State has done is take the Gov. position and imposed their own approval or disapproval that is not their position to do so.

The Secretary of the U.S. Senate is not required to have the signature of the State Secretary they are only (recommended) to have it. There for Burris should be seated and if they have a problem with the Gov. with Illinois take it up with him when charges are brought forth. Speaking of where the hell are these charges. This whole affair hit the news stands like a smoking gun then fizzled out like a sparkler. Did he or did he not do anything wrong?

I WISH he could take the seat - because I think he is qualified, but unfortunately I doubt he would be able to be effective...thanks to Blagojevich I doubt he would ever have the necessary legitimacy in the public eye.

Bad hair and big mouth aside, Blago is innocent until proven otherwise in court. There are plenty of members of Congress with clouds over their heads - some are deserved, others the work of effective enemies.

Don't the people of Illinois deserve a voice in the U.S. Senate NOW? Should they wait for months of court fighting? Burris can honorably serve his state and it's people, regardless of what happens to Blago.

The FBI continues to ask the IL House to hold off looking into criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The case and charges are still mounting; so there has been no word on the federal wiretaps. The investigation is ongoing. I think Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is the only politician that has heard the tapes so far.

It's definitely too bad for Burris, and Steph raises an excellent point about Blago being innocent until proven guilty.

I agree that he is innocent until proven guilty, but then why not have another election so the people of Illinois can choose? The Dems brought that up and then ditched it for no reason.

I don't get it.

I'm with Steph. Illinois needs representation NOW. I'm don't find it dishonorable of Burris to accept Blagojevich's offer. Who is to say that you can't trust Burris...the dirty politics is on Blago, why should Burris be tainted!?!

If I'm not mistaken, Illinois doesn't have the money to carry on special election

I look at it this way. Burris ambitions clearly overlooked his common sense. Why accept a position from a governor who's under investigation and could likely be indicted. No one else would have accepted this post and so I can't feel sorry for Burris or anyone else that would've been in his place. I really don't feel sorry for him for playing the race card. As a minority, nothing pisses me off more when I see other minorities play this card unjustly.

I feel bad for Burris in all honesty. I don't know if Blago is innocent or not, but I do think Burris is being punished for Blago's poor choices.

But I do wonder why there isn't some special election given the circumstance.

As someone mentioned before, Burris will always be somewhat tainted now. So why even put himself in that position?

Its important to remember that the rules don't think of every contigency. Have we had a situation like this before? What kind of precedent do we have? if we have no precedent, then I think we should act in the best interest of the people, not the politicians.

Ooh... that's a good point too Myst.

I don't really buy the line about Illinois not having enough money to have an election. When things are important, you FIND the money. Not to mention that no one has money now, there are plenty of states who are worse off and are still operating fine.

Maybe Obama could give some of his extra money to hold an election in his home state. That would be pretty cool of him.

That's be cool haus, but Obama's gotta pay for the $27 million inauguration.

Nuts.

I just knew someone was going to say why doesn't Obama pay

I'm sure legally Obama couldn't fund an election - if a Democrat won, wouldn't that election be tainted? But yes it would be cool and add to his superstar status - I'm sure EVERYONE would love that.

Wouldn't the donors who gave to Obama for the inauguration events be a little pissed that the money they gave was being used for an senate election? That wouldn't be cool.

It still bothers me a little that Obama has a superstar status. Why can't we let him get into office first before we decide if he's a superstar or not?

Okay... done with my mini rant.

Yes I suppose it would be tainted, I guess my thinking was only put dems on the ballot so that the dems don't get cheated out of a seat before the next real election. So I wasn't thinking of it being tainted by another dem paying.

The donors might be pissed but there were donors who were pissed at him giving money to help HRC pay off her debts. You can't please everyone all the time, once you give your money its not yours anymore.

actually haus, he didn't give HRC money to pay off her debt. he couldn't under federal law give her money from his donations. He helped fundraise for her through his website.

Actually Star, I think the superstar is a media creation that Obama's many critics take more seriously than his supporters do.

One guy paying for an election under any circumstances is a bad idea. There's absolutely no way to wash away all hint of bias.

I agree that the race card has no place in this matter however disagree that he should have waited for the hammer to fall or not in the case of the Gov. You see I don't believe on governing through perception and that is what waiting would suggest. I would do what's is right by process & law regardless of perception if I knew I was innocent of any wrong doing. IMO he simply needs to be accountable to the people of Illinois for himself and no one else and do the work he's expected to do. He has done nothing wrong, so why should the ignorant actions of another punish him, the people of his state and delay the business of representation and government? For perception sake, no thanks.

Exactly hypnoticmix!

It's not that Hypt, but he's donated money to Blago over the years, and no matter what, he will always been tainted, especially is Blago is indicated and impeached. Yes the people of Illinois deserve a second senator, but not one under these circumstances.

Yeah steph superstar is probably a media creation, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. We already have shirtless pictures of Obama out there. Next we'll have a funky moniker for Barack and Michelle. I just hate seeing a politician with celebrity status... I think the two should be separate.

Myst it also hinted that he received government contracts for his donations. That is being looked into now.

Even if Blago is found innocent, the story of this will always hang over his head. And those associated with him, although probably for a short time.

This is very complicated, and on some level it's unfair to Burris and would be unfair to anyone who is appointed by Blagojevich. However I think the senate may want to rethink there position, first no officially charges have been filed against the governor, and he hasn't been stripped of his duties so until then on some level his appointments as long as there is no money linked should be respected. Another piece while it shouldn't be relevant it kinda is...since Obama is leaving the Senate that means there are now no African Americans there which can be a sensitive area to navigate.

So then what should have been done? Should the seat be left empty for however long this is drawn out...That just doesn't seem ethical to me. Especially since the law states that Blago, as the sitting governor, has the authority to appoint the person of his choosing to this position.

I here what you're saying Mist but as I suggested if his heart is true than the truth will set him free and any stigma, taint, negative perception will simply vanish in due time. That is what the investigation will reveal or not. If he knows he's done something un-ethical or illegal than he's fool and a disgrace but I believe he's an honest man that has served honorably and whatever missed steps may be revealed through an investigation I think we'll find that they were more err than ill intent. But we'll see this is just my opinion.

"the Dems should shut up and seat his choice"

But if he doesn't have the correct legal documents, should they violate their own rules and regulations?

I think that it might be unfair for the Secretary of State of Illinois to not sign the document...but it is totally fair of the Senate to not approve him if he doesn't have the necessary paperwork.

I think it is terrible that the state of Illinois KNOWS that Blago committed wrong doing, but since the legal process moves slowly, he is allowed to wreck havock in their state on the way to prison.

"I think the superstar is a media creation that Obama's many critics take more seriously than his supporters do."

I agree.

Yep.

Basty, hince why I don't care for Burris even more and Blago. I don't think race should have a place in this at all. The person could be blue and I'd be saying the same thing. Blago could be impeached and the Lt. Governor could come in a appoint someone to fill the seat. Roland Burris is no innocent victim. He's been a politician for a long time and everyone knew including him that it was said repeatedly that the Senate would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich. The people of Illinois deserves better than that.

well i think some of the obama celebrity stuff is of his own creation... I mean, he doesn't HAVE to walk shirtless on a beach... he doesn't HAVE to hang around the Hollywood crowd (though, I will admit that might be more of their own creation than his actions), he doesn't have to wear a backwards hat when he plays basketball outside or galavant around DC which just invites the paparazzi.

I mean, you never saw Bush going sightseeing or running errands around DC.

I think if Obama embraces that the President unfortunately has to be a homebody then that celebrity thing will drop away.

Technically I'm not even sure if Blago broke any criminal laws...I mean now his a grease bag, liar, but I doubt that he is even going to be charged with anything criminally, and the fact that the impeachment process has yet to begin leads me to believe they have very little "on him". Like Hypno said he is still the gov and until he is not the law needs to be respected. Now the Senate does have the right not to let people into their little club...but this act may not be a wise one on their part.

And honestly, I hope he does because I don't think that type of portrayl is respectful of the office of the presidency.

Not that Im entirely blaming him for it, but he could be a bit more proactive in distancing himself from instances where the paparazzi could snap him.

Really, you're knocking him for going shirtless while getting in and out of the water at the beach...

I have to disagree that doing things as normal as being shirtless on a sunny beach or wearing a backwards hat while playing a game of basketball should be construed as trying to be a celebrity. It seems that Obama is simply trying to have as normal a life as possible while he can; it's the media that's chasing him around elevating him to celebrity status. I don't think the fact that he doesn't hide inside all day means that he's intentionally trying to be a celebrity.

It may also just be that because he hasn't begun his term yet, the media simply has to look for these silly and trivial things to cover. I imagine that once he gets into office, the coverage will get more serious and less adoring.

I love the idea of Obama wearing heavy sweatshirts on the beach to hide his crazy masculinity! And I'm wearing my hat backwards out to lunch today - I'll let you know how many photographers I attract.

Bush's father was a Congressman decades ago, before that, his grandfather served - so a) he and his family have been in and around DC forever and b) he's an incurious, wealthy man who has no interest in actually learning about DC or in doing his own chores. That's nothing to celebrate.