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Video: Hot Rod Blagojevich Considered Oprah For Obama’s Senate Seat
Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is interviewed by Diane Sawyer on ABC’s Good Morning America. Speed ahead to around 5:15 for the Oprah mentionHot Rod goes on the offensive as his impeachment trial starts today. In the above video, Blago mentions that he considered nominating Oprah Winfrey to replace Barack Obama in the United States Senate. Earlier he whines to Diane Sawyer about not being able to call Valerie Jarrett, Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel or Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. as witnesses in his impeachment trial.
But, they will be called in his very public Chicagoland trial.
Exit question: When will Washington make a deal to silence the uncontrollable and unhinged Hot Rod?
Technorati Tags: Oprah Winfrey, Rod Blagojevich
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Roland Burris FINALLY Certified and Will Assume Obama’s Senate Seat
+++++Update+++++Roland Burris to be sworn in on Thursday
Roland Burris, D-Illinois will replace President-Elect Barack Obama in the United States Senate, January 7, 2009
According to Fox News, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democrat Senate Caucus have agreed to seat Roland Burris as Barack Obama’s replacement in the United States Senate.
Apparently, the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White who previously refused to sign the certification of Burris’ appointment has indeed signed a second piece of paper essentially doing the same thing. Harry Reid, et. al. have agreed to accept this along with a letter from Governor Hot Rod Blagojevich appointing Burris.Roland Burris who is currently in Cihicago will soon leave for Washington to assume his duties as a United States Senator from Illinois.
Did Harry Reid REALLY have any other option?
Chalk up a victory for Hot Rod as Harry Reid licks his political wounds.
Now, the Illinois GOP should begin immediately to recruit an excellent candidate to run against Burris in 2010.
Update:
Ambinder has the joint Reid-Durbin statement regarding Roland Burris with hysterical annotations.
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When Will Harry Reid Capitulate and Seat Roland Burris In Obama’s Senate Seat? How About Tomorrow?
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid, Rod Blagojevich
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Day By Day by Chris Muir January 8, 2009 – Let’s Be Up Front
Day By Day by Chris MuirThe Senate Democrats and Harry Reid in particular now are in a quandry with today’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court.The Illinois Supreme Court says Secretary of State Jesse White doesn’t need to sign Roland Burris’ appointment to the U.S. Senate to make it valid.
The ruling says no Illinois official has to do anything further to validate the appointment made by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Burris was refused President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat this week in part because Senate
Democratic leaders said his paperwork was incomplete without White’s signature.
The state Supreme Court says nothing in state law requires White to sign the appointment.
White has said he wouldn’t certify any Blagojevich appointment in the wake of the governor’s federal corruption arrest unless the court forced him to.
Roland Burris should force Harry Reid’s hand and immediately file suit in the United States Supreme Court demanding that he be seated.
Roland Burris will win and so will Illinois Governor Hot Rod Blagojevich who was impeached today.
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Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich
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Harry Reid Capitulates: Roland Burris to Be Seated in U.S. Senate?; Updated: Harry Reid’s Office – “NO White Smoke Today”
+++++Update+++++Harry Reid’s aides are “walking back the story” and according to Fox News say “There will be NO white smoke today.”
So, NO Deal yet?
Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, smiles as he meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington
Roland Burris had the Senate Democrats and Harry Reid by “the short hairs” anyway and now assumes a rightfully appointed seat to replace Barack Obama in the United States Senate.
Senate Democrats plan to accept Roland Burris for President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant seat.
Burris was scheduled to meet Wednesday with the Senate’s top two Democrats — Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and assistant leader Dick Durbin of Illinois — on Wednesday, a day after his paperwork was rejected at the opening of the 111th Congress.
Senate officials in both parties, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for Senate members, said there is a growing expectation on Capitol Hill that the saga will end with Burris being seated.
So, what was the “DEAL?”
Time will tell……..
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich
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California Senator Dianne Feinstein Says Seat Roland Burris
It was reported that Leon Panetta, a former White House chief of staff with no direct intelligence experience, was selected by US President-elect Barack Obama to serve as CIA director. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the incoming chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, seen here in 2007, said she had not been informed about the decision, and indicated she did not approve
Di Fi may not like Leon Panetta for CIA Director but she can read the political tea leaves and now calls for the U.S. Senate to seat Roland Burris.The chairman of the Senate Rules Committee has parted with many of her Democratic colleagues and says that the Senate should seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said Tuesday that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, however tainted by corruption charges, has the right to appoint someone to President-elect Barack Obama’s former seat. The Rules Committee decides whether Burris is qualified to serve.
Feinstein said that blocking Burris would have ramifications for other governors’ appointments.
Well, Harry Reid has few legal remedies since every MAJOR legal scholar predicts the U.S. Supreme Court would seat Roland Burris anyway.
So, Harry Reid will say ashucks tomorrow and seat Burris before the political damage spins out of control.
In the meantime, the Illinois GOP is licking its chops to challenge the 70 year old plus appointed Senator in two years tainted by Hot Rod Blagojevich whose impeachment is just beginning.
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Dianne Feinstein, Harry Reid, Rod Blagojevich
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No Deal Between Harry Reid and Roland Burris – Senate Game of Chicken Brewing?
Roland Burris talks to the crowd at the New Covenant Baptist Church during a rally in Chicago, Sunday. Burris currently on his way to Washington D.C. to fight for Barack Obama’s Senate seat.
The Secretary of the United States Senate has refused to accept Roland Burris’ appointment by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.Firing the first shot in Washington in the fight over the appointment of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, Gov. Blagojevich’s acting chief of staff hand-delivered Burris’ nomination certificate to the Capitol this morning — only to see it rejected by the secretary of the Senate.
Chief of staff Clayton Harris delivered the certificate around 8 a.m., eastern standard time, said Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero.
The secretary of the senate and two assistants acknowledged receipt of the document “but did not formally accept it” because it did not bear Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s signature, Guerrero said.
White refused to sign the certificate last week, joining the chorus of politicians who say Blagojevich is not fit to fill the vacant seat because of his Dec. 9 arrest on corruption charges. The governor and Burris are hoping the Illinois Supreme Court will force White to sign the document.
Stay tuned as this drama plays out and Burris makes his way to Washington D.C.
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich
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Harry Reid Cites BOGUS “Legal Authority” to Bar Roland Burris from Obama’s Senate Seat
Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nevada on today’s Meet The Press
Harr Reid may be an “ol’ trial lawyer” but his legal authority is flawed and will be tested in the courts should he have the BALLS to bar Roland Burris from taking his rightfully appointed U.S. Senate seat this week.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said on Sunday that “legal authority” exists under the Constitution to bar embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s pick to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat, but added there is also room to negotiate.
Under the Constitution, Reid said, “We determine who sits in the Senate. And the House (of Representatives) determines who sits in the House. So there’s clearly legal authority for us to do whatever we want to do. This goes back for generations.”
There will be a DEAL and the Democrats are working a way to pay off Burris with some sort of gratuity. They are probably hamstrung, howerver, because of Patrick Fitzgerald and his ubiquitous microphones. And, Hot Rod plus his cronies in Chicago would love to work a deal for his own skin.
The GOP can only hope for Burris to be barred from the Senate floor in a game of chicken with Reid. What a perfect storm for the Republican Party.
Stay tuned……
Technorati Tags: Harry Reid, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich
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Al Franken, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Caroline Kennedy, Day By Day, Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris
Flapsblog.com: Day By Day by Chris Muir January 4, 2009 – Papering Things Over
As Barack Obama spiritual advisor Jeremiah Wright said, “The chickens are coming home to roost.”First, it was Hot Rod Blagojevich and his corrupt appointment of Roland Burris to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat along with the interference by Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
Second, the NEPOTISM of a possible Caroline Kennedy appointment to Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate Seat.
Third, the apparent win of Al Franken, who is an incompetent a pol as Jesse Ventura and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
And, now, there is the withdrawal of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson from his Obama appointment to become Secretary of Commerce because of corruption charges.
But, what do you expect from a MSM who did not properly VETT the Democrat Party or Obama during the last election cycle.
Chickens coming home to roost, indeed.
Technorati Tags: Al Franken, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson, Caroline Kennedy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich
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Shocker: Harry Reid Called Hot Rod Blagojevich to Push Against African-American Appointees for Obama’s Senate Seat
Sources say Senate majority leader Harry Reid (left) pushed against Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (center), and suggested Gov. Rod Blagojevich appoint state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth (right) to President-elect Obama’s vacant Senate seat.
Not really a shocker – but Democrat Party politics as usual.Congressman and COS to Barack Obama called Illinois Governor Hot Rod Blagojevich with the bosses’ recommendation for his U.S. Senate seat and why not Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn’t want in the post: Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones.
Rather, Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sources say the Senate majority leader pushed against Jackson and Davis — both democratic congressmen from Illinois — and against Jones — the Illinois Senate president who is the political godfather of President-elect Barack Obama — because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election.
Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero confirmed that Reid (D-Nev.) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) — the new chief of the Senate Democratic political operation — each called Blagojevich’s campaign office separately Dec. 3. Sources believe that at least portions of the phone conversations are on tape.
Does anyone NOW think Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats will now have the BALLS to block Roland Burris (also African-American) from taking the Obama seat next Tuesday?
Flap and the world wants to hear Harry Reid on tape which will undoubtedly be “leaked” when Blago is eventually indicted. Did Harry Reid pan the appointment of Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones because of their race? Is this why he suggested they could NOT win the seat in two years?
And, will Harry Reid be called to testify in Hot Rod’s trial?
This seat looks like a GOP capture every day.
Technorati Tags: Harry Reid, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson Jr., Tammy Duckworth
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A Roland Burris Disqualification Showdown Scenario – A Senate Validity Resolution?
Rep. Bobby Rush speaks after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announces his choice of former Ill. Attorney General Roland Burris, right, to fill President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat
Yes, Harry Reid will manuver a Senate Resolution to study the validity of Roland Burris’ appointment to the U.S. Senate until his appointment by Rod Blagojevich is MOOT.The first thing the Senate leadership plans to do is to demand, under Rule 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, a certificate containing “the name of the person elected or appointed, the date of the certificate, the name of the governor and the secretary of state signing and countersigning the same, and the State from which such Senator is elected or appointed.”
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has said that he does not intend to sign the certificate–but that may not be all that much of an impediment. It turns out that Blagojevich–like every other Governor, I’m told–has a set of certificates that are pre-signed by the Secretary of State, to be used in the event of an emergency. If Burris shows up with one of those, the Senate leadership intends to reject it. But Senate leaders also are preparing for the possibility that Burris will get a Writ of Mandamus ordering the Secretary of State to sign the certificate.
At that point, the first order of business for the Senate would be to vote on a resolution questioning the validity of Blagojevich’s appointment of Burris, and specifically, raising the question that the Governor asked for or received something of value in exchange for naming Burris. (There is, of course, no evidence that anything like this happened.) The resolution would be nondebatable and nonamendable, which means the Republican minority would not be allowed to attach, say, a separate resolution blocking Al Franken from being seated from Minnesota. What happens then? The whole thing would be sent to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee for “investigation.” Said investigation would have a time limit, specifically written to give the Illinois Legislature enough time to impeach Blagojevich, put Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn in the job, and get a new appointment.
The scenario is plausible and why it was floated to the left-supporting Time Magazine for comment and vetting. But, what is in Burris’ interest to not raise a stink on the floor and then immediately march over to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the entire process as a subterfuge?
Maybe President-Elect Obama can promise him the Ambassadorship to some vacation resort island country?
Or maybe the U.S. Senate Democrats can let it go and allow this seventy-three year old African-American to serve two years, then retire and then get a federal appointment?
The deals will be made this weekend.
Does Patrick Fitzgerald have his microphones turned on?
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich