This British blog (Michael Tomasky’s, from The Guardian) gives an interesting account of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s press conference of December 30, in which the Governor appointed Roland Burris to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. Thanks to Daily Kos for the link.
Interesting article. This and the NY appointee situation brings up an issue which some have always felt was out of sync and that is having the governor appoint vacancies rather than holding elections in a timely manner.
Taking it out of the hands of the people and allowing it to be a purely political football is wrong as is anything situation which allows politicians to make decisions when the voters should be doing so.
To think that the governor of Illinois would be the first to sell a congressional seat is naive. Too often these appointees are made on a purely political basis…how will this person help me or my party or the person appointed is a stand in……as the case in Delaware or family member….this has been done in several cases including Missouri with the appointment of Jean Caranahan to the US Senate after the death of her husband.
Let the voters decide.
Elf Ninos Mom (“Last Free Voice”) Is Tamara Johnson from Huntington WV
badda bing badda bang badda boom
allahu akhbar
The ability of the Gov. to appoint a Senator to fill a seat left vacant is a holdover from the days Senators were appointed by State Legislatures. Senators obstentively represent the individual States and NOT the people (hence 2 per), a fact often forgotten in this day and age, so the Chief Executive of the State will fill the voild untill an election can be scheduled. It’s for the same reason the Gov. doesn’t get to appoint Repersentatives in the case of a empty seat, those seats belong to the people.