Burris Refused Senate Seat On Capitol Arrival

by CitizenSugar 15

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Burris Refused Senate Seat On Capitol Arrival Roland Burris announced Tuesday he was rejected for Barack Obama's Senate seat, in a bizarre rainy-day scene on the Capitol grounds as lawmakers awaited the gaveling of the 111th Congress into session. Watch the bizarre video.

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Jillness Jillness
I just looked to a reference on what the Constitution says about impeachment, it wasn't really an article. I think that intent to commit a crime and actually committing the crime is different in certain circumstances. For example with murder, you can be arrested for plotting to plan the murder, without having to actually commit the act. I think in the realm of politics, attempting to do something violates the public trust. His intent was pretty clear, and not innuendo...he directly stated many times what he intended to do. I don't really know how that is treated in State level impeachment, though. :)
Jillness Jillness
I just looked to a reference on what the Constitution says about impeachment, it wasn't really an article. I think that intent to commit a crime and actually committing the crime is different in certain circumstances. For example with murder, you can be arrested for plotting to plan the murder, without having to actually commit the act. I think in the realm of politics, attempting to do something violates the public trust. His intent was pretty clear, and not innuendo...he directly stated many times what he intended to do. I don't really know how that is treated in State level impeachment, though. :)
StolzeMama StolzeMama
Thanks for answering Jill. I was under the assumption that since money never changed hands, it was less of an offense. I don't think any newspapers have covered that in depth. If you know of an article, I would love to read it.
Jillness Jillness
"Maybe what blagojevich did was a crime, but was it an impeachable offense? " I think committing a crime makes it a impeachable offense. I know on a national level, bribery (which this was) and “high crimes and misdemeanors” are all valid reasons. Abuse of power or misconduct in office falls under the "high crimes misdemeanors" category.
Jillness Jillness
"Maybe what blagojevich did was a crime, but was it an impeachable offense? "I think committing a crime makes it a impeachable offense. I know on a national level, bribery (which this was) and “high crimes and misdemeanors” are all valid reasons. Abuse of power or misconduct in office falls under the "high crimes misdemeanors" category.
Jillness Jillness
I agree that right now, it seems as if the IL Secretary of State should have signed it...but since he did not, IMO it would only invite chaos to accept a member into congress that did not have that credential. He was asking the Senate to skirt their own rules. I think I would feel more sympathy for Burris if he didn't sound so demanding. I have heard numerous interviews with him where he just sounds entitled and smug, as if he doesn't understand that people might have sincere reasons for questioning the judgement of a Gov. that is going through impeachment proceedings because of this very Senate seat. I am just curious as to how a Governor in our "checks and balances" system can have this amount of power, even though there is a lot against him and the state congress has done what they can. The wheels of justice move slow in our court systems, and it scares me to think that a politician can continue to make MASSIVE decisions during the long time it can take to put together a case. I would think that the state Congress should have the power to remove him or suspend him more quickly.
Jillness Jillness
I agree that right now, it seems as if the IL Secretary of State should have signed it...but since he did not, IMO it would only invite chaos to accept a member into congress that did not have that credential. He was asking the Senate to skirt their own rules. I think I would feel more sympathy for Burris if he didn't sound so demanding. I have heard numerous interviews with him where he just sounds entitled and smug, as if he doesn't understand that people might have sincere reasons for questioning the judgement of a Gov. that is going through impeachment proceedings because of this very Senate seat. I am just curious as to how a Governor in our "checks and balances" system can have this amount of power, even though there is a lot against him and the state congress has done what they can. The wheels of justice move slow in our court systems, and it scares me to think that a politician can continue to make MASSIVE decisions during the long time it can take to put together a case. I would think that the state Congress should have the power to remove him or suspend him more quickly.
bellaressa bellaressa
Funny thing is Jessie White and Burris are best friends. Ouch!
StolzeMama StolzeMama
I meant that IL secretary should have signed it. Since Burris was nowhere in the conversations tapes. IL law states the the Gov. makes the appointment, he did, and they should sign it. Now if they do find that Burris is guilty of wrong doing he can be removed from his seat. I don't see that happening. And I didn't blame dems, I blame Fitzgerald. He knows more than what he is letting on. The whole thing about being an investigator is to know when to act. He definitely acted too early as is a popular opinion among professionals as I have read on major news sites. Maybe what blagojevich did was a crime, but was it an impeachable offense? That is the question.
Jillness Jillness
"no legality behind not letting Burris take the seat"Actually, it wouldn't be legal to let him take the seat because his letter of appointment from Blagojevich was not co-signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Jillness Jillness
"no legality behind not letting Burris take the seat" Actually, it wouldn't be legal to let him take the seat because his letter of appointment from Blagojevich was not co-signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
Jillness Jillness
I do feel a bit sorry for the man, but Blago knew that who ever he tried to pick would have a hard time...he should never have tried. He is going to prision, and trying to create the biggest mess possible for his state before he goes. The people I TRULY feel sorry for is the people of Illinois. Hain, I know you love to blame everything on the Dems, but I doubt the investigation's timing had anything to do with them. The prosecution has a whole host of legal hoops to jump through when prosecuting something like this, and Fitzgerald doesn't seem like he has any priorities other than justice. "This is why they should have let the investigation go on until the seat was actually sold. Now you just have assumptions" First of all he didn't actually have to sell the seat to break the law. Secondly, when you have him on tape making repeated statements that are free from inuendo, that is not an assumption. He was actively trying to broker a deal. Third, we do not know what further evidence they have not released yet. Obviously they felt they had enough to act.
Jillness Jillness
I do feel a bit sorry for the man, but Blago knew that who ever he tried to pick would have a hard time...he should never have tried. He is going to prision, and trying to create the biggest mess possible for his state before he goes. The people I TRULY feel sorry for is the people of Illinois. Hain, I know you love to blame everything on the Dems, but I doubt the investigation's timing had anything to do with them. The prosecution has a whole host of legal hoops to jump through when prosecuting something like this, and Fitzgerald doesn't seem like he has any priorities other than justice. "This is why they should have let the investigation go on until the seat was actually sold. Now you just have assumptions"First of all he didn't actually have to sell the seat to break the law. Secondly, when you have him on tape making repeated statements that are free from inuendo, that is not an assumption. He was actively trying to broker a deal. Third, we do not know what further evidence they have not released yet. Obviously they felt they had enough to act.
starangel82 starangel82
You know, after watching that video, I feel sorry for the poor guy. I don't know if his hands are completely clean in this whole Blago thing, but I'd like to think they are. It would really have to suck to fight that throng of reporters to go represent your state, then be told you can't. Yep... I feel sorry for him.
StolzeMama StolzeMama
Poor Guy. He did nothing wrong. This is why they should have let the investigation go on until the seat was actually sold. Now you just have assumptions, and no legality behind not letting Burris take the seat. Me thinks IL may have a lawsuit on their hands. But darn it, they were afraid too many democrats would be tainted by this scandal, so they had to end it early... hmm
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