I have often criticized talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh for being too critical of the Senate democratic leadership for their alleged ineptitude and poor leadership abilities. But I must admit the manner in which Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has performed during Illinois governor Blagojevich’s fiasco, lends credence to Limbaugh’s charges.
First, Senator Reid jumped too soon into the fray after the US attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, arrested the governor by “drawing a line in the sand,”as the saying goes. He stated, emphatically, he or the Senate would not seat any appointee that the governor sent forward. Thus, boxing himself and the Senate into the untenable and ludicrous position that he now finds himself in; which was avoidable if he had merely been more patient and played the “wait and see game.”
(Google Images Photo) Reid never imagined the governor would out maneuver him both politically and strategically by appointing someone that was not on the original list of contenders for President-elect Obama’s vacated Senate seat. The governor, instead, appointed the Honorable Roland Burris. Burris is a veteran politician who has an impeccable public service record in Illinois, coupled with integrity and ethics that has not been impeached-thus far. And I doubt if anyone will be able to impugn his reputation in anyway; no matter how deep they may dig or how nick-picky they might be.
Nonetheless, despite Burris’ stellar credentials, the misguided Senator Reid insists on remaining with his initial knee-jerk decision: not to seat a Blagojevich appointment. Reid was probably playing to the cameras; seeking to restore or enhance the low image that the Senate now has in the public’s eyes.
It is obvious that common-sense and political savvy are not in being at all. Senator Reid knows darn well that he needs as many democrats as he can get to ensure a comfortable majority-with a little help from some republicans-when it comes down to counting votes on critical bills and programs. This is especially important in light of the fact that the Minnesota Senate seat is still up in the air between the comedian Al Franken (D) and the incumbent Senator Norm Coleman (R).
Bottom line: As long as Roland Burris is not proven to be associated with the Blagojevich corruption issue, then Reid would be smart to relent, advocate to seat Burris, and get this embarrassing matter off the radar screen before Tuesday, January 20th, Inauguration Day 2009.
In plain words, Reid must separate the appointee’s outstanding integrity, ethics and record from that of a tainted and alleged corrupt governor. Keeping in mind that Blagojevich is still legally the governor of Illinois-until impeached or convicted.
Last but not least, neither the Senate nor the new President Obama need such a senseless distraction with all the alligators (two wars, economy, public cynicism,.....) biting at their behinds as they go forward into a new year and a new presidency. You decide!
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P.S. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's refusal to certify Roland Burris' appointment is an outrage and a cowardly act on his part-without question. Since the governor is still the duly elected head official of the executive branch of state government and executing his legal authority as chief executive in making such an appointment, White could have easily justified a certification on that irrefutable basis. But no, he chose to go with the flow of the moment, without considering what was right and best for the citizens of Illinois in the long run. I don't think it is a stretch to surmise that more-likely-than-not, Mr White was probably protecting his own political position for future elections. What a shame!
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