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The Heretik

Franken up 225 with recount complete; focus turns to court (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
DFLer Al Franken won an impressive share Saturday of what may be the last ballots tallied in the U.S. Senate recount, boosting his unofficial lead over Sen. Norm Coleman to 225 votes heading into a Monday meeting where the state Canvassing Board will certify the final result of the race. At least two things, however, still stand in the way of Franken becoming Minnesota’s newest U.S. senator: the possibility of a ruling by the Minnesota Supreme Court that more wrongly rejected absentee ballots should be counted, and a legal contest that Coleman attorneys all but promised should Franken prevail.

Republican Leader Threatens to Block Seating of Franken (The Caucus, New York Times)
With Al Franken holding on to a razor-thin lead over incumbent Norm Coleman in the protracted contest for the United States Senate seat from Minnesota, Republicans say they are planning to block any attempt by Democrats to seat Mr. Franken when the new Congress is sworn in next week. If the recount in Minnesota, which has entered its sixth week, remains undecided, Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the incoming chairman of the Republican National Senatorial Committee, said on Friday that G.O.P. senators were ready to filibuster the provisional seating of Mr. Franken.
Why not filibuster all of them, Republicans?  See below for all the possibilities.

Burris, White in Senate Seat Standoff (AP / NBC Chicago)
Attorneys for Roland Burris have filed a motion that would force Secretary of State Jesse White to officially certify Burris’ appointment to the U.S. Senate… The filing says that “no statute…grants the Secretary of State veto power over the Governor’s appointments,” and that “Any statute that would attempt to grant this power would be unconstitutional.”

Another brilliant move by Rockin’ Rod (by Carol Marin, Chicago Sun-Times)
Democrats should be asking themselves who’s the goat now. Let’s face it, the nation is mesmerized by us. We are like one of those television specials on National Geographic featuring a newly discovered, strange and self-destructive tribe that somehow still endures through the wacky cult of personality exhibited by its leaders. Watching the governor and the aspiring senator smile smugly and jockey for what Blagojevich lightly referred to as the “limelight,” cable commentators looked genuinely amazed. We’re not. That’s because we know who the real goats are. Us.

Activists support Burris’ appointment to US Senate (AP)
Activists in Chicago are pushing for lawmakers to accept Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appointment of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate. At a news conference Friday, about a dozen black activists said — despite the legal cloud over Blagojevich — the governor has the legal right to appoint Burris and Burris is highly qualified… William Walls of the Committee for a Better Chicago warns that, if Secretary of State Jesse White doesn’t certify the appointment and Sen. Dick Durbin doesn’t support Burris, activists will work to defeat them in upcoming elections.

Hypocrisy apparent in Rush’s position (Southtown Star, Chicago)
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush…, whose district stretches from Chicago’s South Side to Oak Forest and Orland Park, said his prayers were answered through Blagojevich’s selection of a black appointee. He described as “tragedy” the lack of black representation in the U.S. Senate… He went so far as to compare Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to former Alabama Gov. George Wallace, who in 1963 stood in the doorway of a University of Alabama school building to block two black students from entering. Reid and Senate Democrats pledged to refuse any appointee sent by Blagojevich, even Burris, who would be the chamber’s only black member. Rush’s lecture, however, seems quite two-faced considering he chaired Blair Hull’s 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. You remember Hull – the millionaire blackjack player who invested a record $30 million into an unsuccessful Senate bid. Hull is white.
Yes, well, Bobby’s brother was well paid to manage the campaign of multi-millionaire Hull.

Hiding Behind the Race Card (by Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune)
Has the black community become the last refuge for scalawags like Blagojevich, whose approval ratings had fallen to only 13 percent in a Chicago Tribune poll even before his arrest? As a fellow African American, I resent that notion, and I don’t appear to be alone. Secretary of State Jesse White, a black Democratic friend of Rush and Burris, nevertheless is refusing to certify Burris’ appointment in what he called “a moral decision,” even if it fails to hold up in court. Rep. Danny Davis, another African American House member from Chicago, revealed that he had been asked by Blagojevich and turned it down, saying that any appointee from the governor would be too tainted to serve.

Sure, it might be purely coincidental that Blagojevich happened to pick two black candidates in a row. Or maybe he feels a sincere liberal urge to make Obama’s desk a “black seat.” And maybe there really is a tooth fairy. More likely, the message to Burris is this: You’re getting played.

Sources: Reid pressured Blagojevich not to appoint Jackson Jr. to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat (Chicago Sun-Times)
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.

Cornyn rips Reid on Blago calls (Politico, thanks to Alegre)
A top Senate Republican is criticizing Harry Reid’s involvement in the Illinois Senate seat scandal, accusing him of meddling in the state’s affairs by pushing certain candidates in phone calls to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said Reid “has led the charge to deny the people of Illinois a voice” in the process. To be sure, Republicans like Cornyn would rather see a special election in Illinois because it would give the GOP a shot at capturing the seat.

Reid Hits Blago for ‘Distorting’ Their Conversation in Leak to Sun-Times (by Jake Tapper at Political Punch, ABC News)
And finally, an on-the-record response to the Chicago Sun-Times story … from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who accuses Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich of “distorting” their conversation in leaks to the media. “…Gov. Blagojevich’s efforts to try to tarnish others while the cloud of suspicion continues to grow over him are shameful, as are his efforts to further betray the public trust and sow seeds of division.  As each day passes it becomes increasingly clear that Gov. Blagojevich is not fit to lead, and he should resign. I will not allow his corruption charges or his antics to distract me from leading the Senate, to drive a wedge in our party or to obscure the facts.”

Goings on in the Blagosphere. (by J -SOM at Liberal Rapture)
Harry Reid and the Obamanation are opposing Burris for one reason only: They want someone else. Of course, this is an absurd reason and a disastrous precedent. Sadly for Burris, based on the behaviour of the Obama pods and the Obama media this past year, I suspect Mr. Burris is a few newscycles from being personally trashed.

Lynn Sweet: Senate opposition fiercer than Burris thinks (Chicago Sun-Times)
The new Congress will be sworn in Tuesday. Burris will arrive with no floor privileges because Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White will not certify his appointment. The Senate will likely refer the matter to the Rules Committee, where it will be handled as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible… While the Senate Democrats are slow-walking, they want the Illinois House to fast-walk the Blagojevich impeachment proceedings, and then have a swift state Senate trial, conviction, and installation of Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn as governor. Quinn then can make the pick, preferably a Democrat with an excellent chance of winning either a special election or the 2010 contest. Given Burris’ string of statewide defeats for senator and governor, he does not fit that profile.

Senate leaders plan for arrival of Blagojevich appointee (Los Angeles Times)
Should Roland Burris show up for duty in the Senate on Tuesday, armed police officers stand ready to bar him from the floor. This cinematic showdown is among an elaborate set of contingencies that Democratic leaders are planning if, as expected, the former Illinois attorney general appointed by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich shows up with newly elected senators to press his claim that he is the legitimate replacement for President-elect Barack Obama.

Sergeant at arms expects no trouble from Burris (AP)
The U.S. Senate’s sergeant at arms says he doesn’t expect trouble when Roland Burris shows up to be sworn in as President-elect Barack Obama’s successor on Tuesday… Gainer said Friday that he doesn’t believe Burris wants a confrontation. Senate Democratic leaders have said they won’t allow him to take a seat.

Illinois Senate appointee Burris plans busy Sunday (AP)
CHICAGO (AP) — Senate appointee Roland Burris has plans to speak before ministers and supporters before he departs for Washington. Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed Burris to Barack Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat last week, but Senate Democratic leaders say they’ll reject any appointee named by Blagojevich. Burris says he will attend a Sunday evening prayer vigil at a church on Chicago‘s South Side before addressing his supporters. The group is coordinated by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.

Reid to Meet With Burris as Showdown Looms (ABC News)
Arrangements are under way for a Wednesday meeting between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Roland Burris, the Democrat tapped by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, ABC News has learned. Burris confidant and business partner Fred Lebed of Chicago tells ABC News that, despite the opposition of Senate leaders, Burris is on track to arrive in Washington Monday, and on Capitol Hill, Tuesday. “He intends to be sworn in and seated in the U.S. Senate,” said Lebed, who added that Burris and his “staff” are “looking forward to get sworn in, seated, and to roll up our sleeves.”

Continuing to unwrap the gift of the governor (by John Kass, Chicago Tribune)
President-elect Barack Obama was not found as an infant, floating in a reed basket along the banks of the Chicago River. He is not the gentle faun, the Mr. Tumnus, of the Daley machine. Obama could have forcefully and publicly demanded that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and fellow Illinois Democrats support legislation for a special election to fill his vacated Senate seat. Obama had a responsibility to the people of Illinois to do so. But he kept his mouth shut. As always, he avoided conflict with machine political bosses, a consistent character trait stubbornly ignored by his media cheerleaders.

His top White House strategist and his chief of staff are creatures of the Daley machine, and Democrats didn’t want to risk the Senate seat. What happened to the promise of transcending the old politics? So when the freak show comes to Washington next week and political hack Roland “I’m a tool of the people” Burris is denied entry to the Senate, and the national political class shrieks in fake outrage and Blagojevich surrounds himself with African-American ministers and he sings “Let my people go!” remember who could have stopped all this: Obama, Madigan, Daley and the Illinois Democrats. 

Obama, Blago flip sides of Bizarro plotline (by Carol Marin, Chicago Sun-Times)
As ferociously as we [the press] march like villagers with torches against Blagojevich, we have been, in the true spirit of the Bizarro universe, the polar opposite with the president-elect. Deferential, eager to please, prepared to keep a careful distance. The Obama news conferences tell that story, making one yearn for the return of the always-irritating Sam Donaldson to awaken the slumbering press to the notion that decorum isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The press corps, most of us, don’t even bother raising our hands any more to ask questions because Obama always has before him a list of correspondents who’ve been advised they will be called upon that day. We reporters have earned our own membership in the Bizarro universe.

Caroline Kennedy vs. Roland Burris on U.S. Senate qualifications (by Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star)
Caroline Kennedy is a strong contender for being appointed to the U.S. Senate. But senators reportedly will deny entrance to Roland Burris as Barack Obama’s replacement. Is that really fair?
– Kennedy has no elected political experience.
– Burris has been the elected comptroller for the state of Illinois and the elected attorney general for the state.
– Kennedy has declined to provide details about her financial holdings or many of her political views — unless she’s appointed.
– Burris’ views on many local and national issues are well known, given his years in political office.
– Kennedy would be appointed by New York Gov. David Paterson. He was lieutenant governor before becoming governor when Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign in 2008 after being linked to a prostitution.
– Burris has been appointed by a duly elected governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich.

N.Y. governor leaning toward Kennedy? (by Alex Koppelman at War Room, Salon)
Despite the very public beating Caroline Kennedy has taken recently, New York Gov. David Paterson is apparently still likely to appoint her to Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. The Associated Press reports: “Two people close to Gov. David Paterson tell The Associated Press they believe Caroline Kennedy will be his choice, but the governor cautions he’s still looking.” This isn’t too suprising, but it is a little puzzling, I think. Paterson is up for election in 2010, and while New Yorkers seem resigned to the idea of Sen. Caroline Kennedy, they’re not exactly wild about it. Plus, the chaos in Illinois means an unusual amount of scrutiny over these appointments; he’d be likely to take at least some political heat if he does pick her.

It’s the Senate for Bennet : Colorado Government (Rocky Mountain News)
Gov. Bill Ritter is shattering conventional wisdom in tapping the popular but politically untested Michael Bennet, superintendent of Denver Public Schools, as the U.S. Senate replacement for Interior Secretary nominee Ken Salazar.

Bennet pick shocks some in Colorado (Denver Post)
Coloradans responded to the news that Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter had appointed Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet as their new senator with a collective “huh?

Colorado GOP thinks it can beat governor’s Senate choice (On Politics, USA Today)
With Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter expected to say today that he’s chosen Denver schools superintendent Michael Bennet to succeed Ken Salazar in the Senate, the state’s Republicans are saying they think they can defeat the relatively unknown Bennet in two years when the seat will be up for grabs again in an election.

Tell me again why we call them Democrats? (by lambert at Corrente)
The common factor with Village favorite Caroline Kennedy: “In a surprise choice, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) appointed Denver schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill the Senate seat vacated by Ken Salazar, who is slated to become interior secretary in Barack Obama’s administration. Bennet, 44, who has never run for elected office…” Just saying. Two points do not make a trend. But there’s a tendency to watch here; combine it with Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emmanuel’s tendency to parachute formerly Republican millionaires into seats that real Democrats could claim…
My comment: Rahm supposedly wanted for the Illinois seat Valerie Jarrett, who has never run for public office.

Harry Reid supposedly told Gov. Blago that he wanted Tammy Duckworth or Lisa Madigan. Tammy has also never been elected to public office.

Tammy Duckworth’s entire political life is a creation of Dick Durbin, who met her while she was recovering from serious wounds she suffered as a helicopter pilot in Iraq. I have nothing against Duckworth except for her willingness to shove aside, in 2004, the progressive candidate who was responsible for Henry Hyde’s decision to retire. Durbin, Emanuel, Obama, Daley, and Schakowsky all jumped on board, helping Duckworth to raise millions of dollars to barely win the 2004 IL-6 primary against Christine Cegelis.

Duckworth lost the general election against a no-name Republican, but when you’ve been chosen by The Chosen in Illinois, you never have to worry about your next job. Blagojevich appointed her to head the entire state department dealing with veterans’ affairs, even though she had almost no administrative experience.

Lisa Madigan has won elections, but she is also a legacy. Her father is the very powerful speaker of the Illinois House.

The Biden replacement is one of his staffers, who, I believe, has never been elected to public office.

Don’t you love the way the crumbs crumble in our lovely political system?

Bill Richardson withdraws from Commerce Secretary nomination. (Think Progress)
NBC reports: “New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, tapped in December by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as secretary of Commerce, has withdrawn his name for the position, citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state…” A federal grand jury is investigating whether a California firm, CDR Financial Products, won a lucrative $1.6 billion contract from the state of New Mexico after it contributed at least $110,000 to three political committees formed by Richardson.

Obama Supporters = Liberal? (by taggles at The Confluence)
Thinking back and in the present, my oh my how the tables have turned. Looking back, if you were NOT an Obama supporter you were a racist, republican plant, even though you fought against just about everything George W. Bush stood for starting with the Election of 2000 right along with your liberal brethren. Or, at least with people you thought held the same values… Now, it turns out, if you disagree with or question Obama on Rick Warren, the bailout, Proposition 8, Caroline Kennedy, Eric Holder, Robert Gates, or the measly representation of women in his cabinet, and you supported and voted for Obama, you too are just a republican who hates black people.

To all my long lost friends who trashed Hillary supporters as racists and republicans, I want to know how you feel about being part of our club. Do you still feel good with what you did to friends who simply disagreed? How does it feel to be called a racist? How does it feel to have your friends accuse you of republicanism? How does it feel to be railroaded out of the party?… Please do join us. We are the real democrats, the real liberals. People who question are not enemies they are friends. People who do not blindly support politicians are not enemies they are friends. Welcome aboard, fellow PUMA’s who didn’t know it!