The Illinois State Senate should affirm Burrus.

[Perky]

The process is hopelessly tainted, but absent a "day in Court" ending in conviction or successful impeachment, I think that any court is going to say that Blago has the authority under the state constitution to make the selection.

But I also don't see any way that the US Senate can be forced to seat him by the courts, due to separation of powers issues. Deadlock.


The thing of it is, a good portion the AA establishment in Chicago is getting behind Burrus and is trying is trying to make this into something that it is not and this whole thing is likely to take some nasty turns before it is over.


So how about this. The Illinois Senate should do a quick investigation in to the propriety of the selection process. Though they probably should not get into his qualifications for the position. If the State senate affirms the choice, that would give everybody sufficient cover and allow this to get walked back from the inevitable Constitutional donnybrook that is going to make everyone's head hurt.

[Democrats_win]

1. Or...they spend 24 hours a day on Bogo's impeachment.

First things first.

[Perky]

2. I am not sure they can convict him in the Senate

They may well try. I am just not sure what they would imoeach him on.
And if they do't thenyou get into all sorts of Double Jeopard issue if Fitz goes for a prosecution,

I want this guy run out of town on a rail.. but the crime is maybe conspiracy to commit bribery and I suspect there is probably a pretty strong case for this being "criminalization of politics". To the extgent that quid pro quo arrangements ar common place in politics there are sorts of reasonable doubt issues that can be raised.

I mean it is clear to me that Fitz had to move when he did, but there are good reason he asked for the delay in the prosecution calendar.

[ieoeja]

5. It should only take about 5 minutes in the House.

Motion for impeachment for quote -- being a complete dickhead -- end quote.
Seconded.
All those in favor?
Aye.
All those opposed?
...
The Ayes have it. The motion carries.


Then as fast as the full Illinois Senate can convene...


In the case for removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich from office on the grounds that he is a complete dickhead, all those in favor?
Aye.
All those opposed?
...
Let it be submitted in the record that the full Senate voted for removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich from office on the grounds that he is a complete dickhead by a unanimous vote. Rod Blagojevich is from this moment forward no longer Governor of the State of Illinois. Please inform the Lt Governor to take possession of the office of the Governor.

[Perky]

8. Umm you seem to forget rhe need for a trial

[ieoeja]

9. And who sets the rules for that trial? The Senate.

Impeachment and its aftermath is a political, not criminal, issue. The Senate can (and should) set a five minute time limit on the "trial" if they want.

Rid us of this whackjob, please!

[Perky]

11. Um no....The State Constition sets therprocess not the State Senate,

[ieoeja]

15. Since you seem determined to butt in to our business in Illinois....

"The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial officers."


For what can he be impeached? The Illinois Constitution doesn't say. It just says that the, "House of Representatives has the sole power ... to determine the existence of cause".

Right now the House Judiciary Committee is holding hearings. There is no reference to said committee in the Constitution. But the House has the sole power at this stage, and this is how they decided to proceed.



"Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer, whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law."


Here you do have more rules. But I don't see anything preventing the Senate from putting a five minute time limit on the defense, except that may be up to the Chief Justice. So, fine, get the Chief Justice to impose that limit.

This is a political process, not a criminal process. It is perfectly Constitutional to remove the Governor from office for being a dickwad.

[WeDidIt]

3. That would mean exactly nothing

The Secretary of the Senate CANNOT accept the certificate of appointment without Jesse White's signature.

Until the Illinois State Supreme Court rules on Burris' case, Burris goes nowhere.

[Perky]

6. The problem is that gov would be deemed subservient to the SOS

and that becomes another consritutional donnybrook.

[WeDidIt]

14. It's not a federal constituional "donnybrook"

It's a matter for the state of Illinois and nobody else.

[WeDidIt]

4. Hey, here's a better solution

Blagojevich declares himself incapable of serving for a week.

Quinn then appoints Burris.

Case closed.

[Perky]

7. Umm...that strains credulity

It would never happen

[WeDidIt]

12. Well, it's probably the only way Burris gets seated n/t

[bigwillq]

10. Seat and move on.

And work towards electing another DEM in 2010.

[Perky]

13. Just sying the political cover cause a special election would be ruled unconstitutional.

State Senate affirmation is the next best option.

[AtomicKitten]

16. It is precisely because the process is tainted that Burris should NOT be confirmed.

[jacksonian]

17. i think the point here is you can get rid of Blago

but not Burris. Burris was named by a sitting gov, and unless something improper is alleged about the Burris appointment itself, any impeachment or conviction for anything else will be after the fact.

You get get rid of Blago but Burris would remain the nominated Senator. Oh, and just as an IL resident and political observer - don't anyone go thinking a 2/3 vote in the IL Senate for conviction is a slam dunk. This would depend on a lot of things, and there is a definite chance Blago could escape removal. It's hard to tell how this would play out.

Just sayin'.