Big Dogs Weblog

Democrats Not Very Good With Strategy

by Big Dog on Jan 3, 2009 at 14:29 Political

The Democrats appear to have shot themselves in the foot. Harry Reid and his gang of liberals have decided that Roland Burris of Illinois will not be seated in the Senate. Governor Rod Blagojevich selected Burris to fill the seat vacated by soon to be President Obama and that has rankled the Senate Dems.

Rod Blagojevich is the governor of Illinois. Yes, he is a slime ball and he tried to sell Obama’s seat to the highest bidder, an effort that was thwarted when investigators arrested him (way too soon). But, he is the governor and it is in his purview to appoint people to fill seats of those who have not completed their terms. He selected someone who, as far as anyone can tell, was not involved in the pay to play scandal. Burris has, as far as I can tell, had a mediocre public service life but seems not to be too tarnished from Illinois politics where nearly all politicians are crooked.

Harry Reid has no right to block Burris from being seated but he has stated he will do so unless Burris is certified by the Illinois Secretary of State. However, Reid has stated that he would seat Al Franken on a provisional basis while awaiting the outcome of the recount and any court challenges. Franken will not be certified by the Minnesota Secretary of State. Why the double standard? Because Burris has been appointed by a tarnished governor, perhaps but it might also be because Democrats are worried that he cannot win reelection and the seat might go to a Republican (the same reason the legislature of Illinois decided not to have a special election).

In any event, the Democrats have put themselves in a bind because Republicans have vowed to filibuster any move to put Franken in a seat without the issue being resolved at the state level. No matter what Harry Reid and the Democrats do regarding Burris they have already given the Republicans an opening that cannot be closed. They set the standard and allowed the Republicans to thwart their attempt to legitimize Franken’s potential theft of the election an effort that would have looked like partisan politics had Reid not opened the door.

I would have thought that people who have been around politics as long as this gang of thugs has would have seen the potential for disaster in blocking Burris. I know they did not worry about 57 white guys keeping the black guy out because Democrats are the party of slavery and discrimination and they are excused each time they display their roots. The Republicans could have never effectively played the race card but they can use Reid’s own words and rules against him. I wonder where the people who comment that the seat must go to a black guy fall on this issue?

No matter what people think about Rod Blagojevich or Roland Burris, the fact remains that his appointment was legal and it should go through without delay. It is a legal appointment and Reid has no Constitutional grounds upon which to deny Burris entry.

Republicans, on the other hand, have a legitimate issue with Franken. The contest has not been decided and it might take months for the recount and court challenges to resolve the issue. Franken will probably end up winning because Democrats are skilled at stealing elections but he should not be seated until the issue is resolved and he is certified.

Sources:
Politico
The Hill
CNN

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Tags: al franken, blago, filibuster, Harry Reid, illinois, roland burris, Senate