How Will Obama Deal with the Roland Burris Senate Appointment?

Posted on 12/30/2008 by Phil

From RedState.com, it is very likely that Barack Hussein Obama will be forced into his first major political play of his national career (you’ll see why taking a “present” position would not bode well for anyone, shortly).

How so? Observe:

[I]t’s likely that the Secretary of the Senate will receive Burris’ credentials from Governor Blagojevich prior to the start of the new Congress (and the objection of the Illinois Secretary of State is reportedly irrelevant to the issuance of those credentials). On that first day, the roll call of Senators to be sworn in will then include Burris’ name. Senator Reid — or someone else — will object to Burris taking the seat, and the Democratic majority will vote to refer the matter to the Senate Rules Committee for review. It is a foregone conclusion that the Rules Committee will recommend against seating Burris, and that recommendation will be affirmed by a Senate vote.

So, what’s the rule concerning all of this? Rule 2 of the Senate:

The presentation of the credentials of Senators elect or of Senators designate and other questions of privilege shall always be in order, except during the reading and correction of the Journal, while a question of order or a motion to adjourn is pending, or while the Senate is voting or ascertaining the presence of a quorum; and all questions and motions arising or made upon the presentation of such credentials shall be proceeded with until disposed of.

OK, so then if nothing is resolved, what happens? Well, for starters, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) can’t not do something about it:

The question of whether Burris shall take his seat or not is a privileged matter; the Senate cannot avoid doing something about it. This is one case where Senator Reid cannot simply pretend that the credentials were never received.

Gotta love that last line from RedState: “…Senator Reid cannot simply pretend that the credentials were never received.” Ah, if only the dear Leader’s hand was forced concerning the presumed President-elect’s own credentials.

Oops, sorry — I digress:

Assuming that nothing happens to resolve this dispute, Burris and the State of Illinois will presumably take Reid and the Senate to court — since the Supreme Court made clear in Powell v. McCormack that the Senate cannot reject a Senator on other than the straightforward question of eligibility for the office. And it is entirely conceivable that this fight could end with the court mandating that the Senate seat Burris.

And what would Harry Reid do then?

This could come to resemble Florida, 2000 — particularly if the Democrats lack votes to pass some elements of Obama’s agenda. And it seems that the only person in position to prevent such a crisis — the only person blessed with ties to all the major players — is Barack Obama. When will he step in to forge a solution that treats all sides fairly?

What will Barack Hussein Obama do? The Democratic party in Congress doesn’t want to have anything to do with Blogojevich, certainly not beyond the great State of Illinois. Yet, Obama knows that his old Senate seat is going to go to someone “blessed” by the Chicago Daly machine.

Maybe the Mitch-meister can help force Obama’s hand on this one!

Update: Moe Lane of RedState.com further opines:

I have to tell you, this Burris pick is absolutely made of awesome. Just watch:

More fun stuff here, and here for more race-baiting goodness - and, really, by this point the entire blogosphere, most of which is by now utterly fascinated at the prospect of actually getting to watch the big ship hit the iceberg. Has it been mentioned yet that Burris has been a long time Blagojevich donor? Or that Blagojevich’s General Counsel (not his personal attorney; the administration official) just quit? Or that both Reid and Obama are busily writing the GOP’s campaign ads in 2010 for us by their earnest, but quite likelytoothless, opposition?

What a way to start the new year, huh?

-Phil