Obama Says NO to Hot Rod Blagojevich’s Appointment of Roland Burris to His Senate Seat – But So What?

Obama issues a statement condemning Hot Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of Roland Burris to his former Senate seat.

“Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy,” said President-elect Obama.

But, so what?

Unless the United States Supreme Court rules otherwise, the appoinment will stand.

But Supreme Court precedent suggests “no”: The Court held in Powell v. McCormack (1969), that “in judging the qualifications of its members Congress is limited to the standing qualifications prescribed in the Constitution,” such as age and citizenship. Now perhaps the Senators are right and the Court was wrong, and perhaps today’s Court would overrule Powell. But at least at this point, Powell seems to make clear that under Article I, Section 5 the Senate may determine whether the Senator should be seated solely based on the objective qualifications that the Constitution prescribes, and not based on its judgment whether Gov. Blagojevich ought to be entitled to make the appointment.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the President-Elect will have NO SAY as to this appointment.

Flap looks forward to the moral indignation from the Democrats on this appointment as they on the other hand accept it.

Hypocrites all.

Blago won this round.