UPDATE 2x: Dems cave to Burris

Word is the big bad Dems are caving and will seat Roland Burris in Barack Obama's U.S. Senate vacancy ...

UPDATE 1: Not sure of the details how this will all happen, but yesterday, Secretary of State Jesse White told 890AM WLS' Roe Conn that he would certify Burris appointment is so ordered by the Illinois Supreme Court.  He said he expected to hear shortly from the Court to do just that.

In addition, last evening the influential U.S. Senate Rules Committee chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) voiced her support for seating Burris.

UPDATE 2:  Such an appointment will stop dead any Republican effort for a special election to fill Obama's seat, a recommendation they made after Governor Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI December 9th for allegedly trying to sell Obama's vacancy to the highest bidder.

IL GOP Chairman Andy McKenna renewed his call for Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn to return to his original call for special election:

McKenna calls on Blagojevich’s Lieutenant Governor to keep his promise – this time
 
 
First Quinn rejects Burris appointment – calls for special election
 
 
Now Quinn mentioned in back room deal
 
 
Blagojevich’s Lt. Governor faces first test of leadership
 
Should not endorse anyone until legislature passes special election
 
CHICAGO – The Illinois Republican Party today called on Rod Blagojevich’s Lt. Governor Pat Quinn to keep his promise by continuing to push for a special election.
 
When Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, Quinn rejected the appointment, calling it an “insult to the people of Illinois” and continued calls for a special election if he became Governor.[1]  Now, in a scene eerily reminiscent of Rod Blagojevich’s attempt to sell Barack Obama’s Senate seat, Politico is reporting that Democrats in Washington and Illinois are working vigorously behind closed doors to obtain Lt. Governor Pat Quinn’s endorsement of Roland Burris.[2] 
 
“Lieutenant Governor Quinn made a promise to the people of Illinois and we expect him to keep that promise,” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna. “Endorsing Roland Burris or anything short of a special election is breaking his promise to the people of Illinois.”
 
Immediately after Rod Blagojevich was arrested Quinn supported a special election, went back on his word, but is now supporting a special election again.  Further, Quinn stood silently for six years as investigations continued to swirl around Rod Blagojevich and was a direct beneficiary of the tainted Blagojevich Campaign Fund. 
 
“This is Pat Quinn’s first test of leadership,” added McKenna.  “Calling for a special election would break with Democratic leaders in Illinois and Washington but endorsing Roland Burris and backing away from his promise of a special election is breaking his promise to the people of Illinois.”

Comments

[Bruno Behrend]

They are "caving" to the Constitution and the process in place. They have no choice, and the longer they prolong the fight the worse off they are.

We (conservatives) ought to be happy about Blagojevich making this pick, as it will be harder to defeat a Quinn pick in 2010.

Blago is a blessing in disguise, given that the ILL GOP has no candidates, no ideas, and no prospects.

Blago is all they have, and they will tank even further the moment Blago is gone.

Just watch.

If Republicans do drop their call for a special election, then they will be doing the flip they accused Durbin of just days ago. Of course Democrats may suddenly see the wisdom of a special election unless Burris promises not to run in '10.

[Pat Hickey]

Sen. Burris gets the seat. That's the law. It is odd that most of whining about Burris seems to be coming from lawyers.

Now, once Sen. Burris his place among the mighty 100 ( er, 99 because of Al Franken), let's see 'just how strong and serious a challenge the Illinois GOP can mount against Roland in 2010.

If they go their usual way, they may ask Cindy Sheehan to run against Burris.

[Pete Speer]

The Ill GOP (and I think that Bruno caught on to the abbreviation "Ill") must continue the cry for a Special Election, regardless of the inanity. It is their 2010 leg to stand on.

Did anybody doubt the cave in. Harry the Reid needs to have that seat filled pronto to get the most out of his organization. So he postured. What else do politicians do? Once the waltz started the game was up. Roland looks staunch and reasonable at the same time. The Black democrats are back on their plantation. That leaves just the Main Event.

[ScaTR]

Burris will more than likely be heavily contested in the primary if he seeks re-election. The good news is that, due to his ego, he will. This will open a whole new round of racial overtones and acrimony within the Dem party. It should remind everyone of exactly who those people are.

2010 could be the Republicans’' last, best hope to get a senate seat in many of our lifetimes! It is a chance for us and the party to do something right for a change after quite a loosing streak (Detroit Lions, anyone???). We need to get the coffers filled, and begin de-programming the zombies and lemmings that make up (democratic) voters in Chicago and Cook County…and do so NOW.

In the mean time we need the Republican legislators (I think there are a few left) to be taking advantage of this situation by insisting on legislation that will begin to break up the old Chicago/IL Democrat machine. The tone and tenor of the situation could allow for this. Essentially, stop worrying about Blago and Burris, and focus on reforms that will keep this from happening again. Stay above the fray…there’s no chance for a special election, so stop whining about one! Between Quinn and Madigan, they’ll keep the good Governor in the news. We just need to keep our dvr’s running and not be afraid to use their words against them in the future.

[Valkyrie]

I think the best thing that Andy McKenna can do for the future of the Republican Party in Illinois is resign.

He presides over a party with no candidates, no ideas, no issues, and no money.

We need a new chairman and a new executive director.

[My Name Is Not Important]

I AGREE WITH VALKYRIE...

For any movement forward in the Illinois Republican Party, ANDY MCKENNA and his COMBINE BUDDIES, MUST RESIGN!!!

[Roy Cone]

Republicans need to focus their efforts on an electable U.S. Senate candidate for next year's election. Mark Kirk appears to be the best hope right now, as he has a proven track record of getting votes from Cook County moderates, particularly in the burbs.

[Jerome]

Agreed, Roy, Valkyrie - the combine needs to go, and we need to find sound conservative candidates immediately. Blago and Burris are a gift from heaven, and the GOP needs to use the gift wisely.

Kirk is a squish, but I'd support him over any Democrat in the state, and he's got some experience in elections, unlike the invisible Mr. Sauerberg.

Roland Burris is such a buffoon, even moderate Democrats would support Kirk to be rid of him in two years.

[Mark Rhoads]

Burris was legally appointed and should be seated until Jan. 2011. The window is closed on any special election, it always was really. The idea of a special election is a good one but you cannot pass a bill like that in this atmosphere and that is part of the reason Blagojevich made the appointment. If Lt. Gov. Quinn becomes governor, that does not invalidate the Burris appointment. Sen. Dick Durbin knows that Burris did not pay to play. As Burris said, he has no money. Burris is speaking the truth in his afidavits. The orchestration of Durin and Reid on the Burris testimony in Sprinfield and the write of mandamus for Jesse White are politically clever to seat another Democrat but they also happen to be the right thing to do.

Sure, in the future change the law to require a special election. But Blagojevich made the appointment under existing law and the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and Burris will be seated.

[Jan]

Brett Baer on Fox described the situation yesterday as the "Burris Circus". Yep, the circus has really hit town, hasn't it?

I personally think that Harry Reid, all along, completely planned to cave.

He's the one who described himself as a gambler, and this time he fully expected(wanted) to lose.

Because essentially, he won. For his party...

But then there's that absurb legacy bit, they are all obsessed with. Then, some time in the future, he can say "I tried to do the right thing, to protect representing the people..."yadayadayada

I would be most interested in seeing Republicans put a laser beam focus on the Coleman election...If they let that one slip out of their hands...then we are wimps.

Because Franken is Clearly, Blatantly trying to steal it, with his pit bull personality, "I'm forcing this down their throats" routine...

Coleman better get tough..