Always nice to be around to ring in a new year. I hope what is forthcoming in the next twelve months will allow me to ring in another at this time in 2010.
Will former state Comptroller and Attorney General Roland "There is No Taint On Me" Burris be our junior senator by then? Hard to say. I have a thought on the subject, however. It feels like I'm hacking up a hairball, but here it is.
It appears Blago followed the rules in making the appointment. I say appears because I haven't heard of any wiretap evidence to the contrary. Have you? It also appears there are no immediate legal remedies to stop the process from going forward. The Illinois Legislature could have voted for a special election. It did not. Congress could have demanded a special election. It did not.
Personally, I don't like the idea that anyone tainted by Governor Soon-to-be-Indicted would have the opportunity to represent our state in the U.S. Senate. But.
Until someone shows me conclusive legal proof that the Senate leadership is allowed to lock the door on him, I believe Burris should be allowed to step into Obama's spot and serve. I've read a lot of arguments, but none have the force of law behind them saying he cannot do so.
Blago remains the Governor. The Governor has the authority to name a replacement U.S. Senator. He used that authority to name Roland Burris. Let's put aside thoughts of what prompted him to choose Burris and what personal goals (a fat pension perhaps?) Burris has in accepting.
As distasteful as it is, the Senate should seat the man. They don't have to give him anything but a desk on the floor and some office space. They certainly don't have to appoint him to any committees. And they are absolutely within their rights to begin a formal investigation into the entire mess and to strip Burris of his title, and right to a pension, should they uncover evidence of illegalities.
This is Act Two of the Illinois Theatre of the Absurd. So seat him, and let's move along.
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