Harry Reid to Illinois Lt. Governor: Do My Bidding or Face My Wrath!
If you could pick one Democratic politician inept enough to blunder right into the ever-widening morass that is the Blagojevich corruption case with a desperately ham-handed attempt to make sure Barack Obama’s former Senate seat isn’t filled by a special election, who would you pick?
I know. It’s a trick question.
The momentum for a special election to replace President-elect Barack Obama ran into a major hurdle late this afternoon in the form of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) who penned a letter today to scandal-tarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich making clear he would prefer the incumbent step aside and let Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn make the appointment.
“It is within the authority of the Illinois legislature to remove your power to make this appointment by providing for a special election,” wrote Reid in a letter obtained by The Fix. “But a decision by you to resign or to step aside under Article V of the Illinois Constitution would be the most expeditious way for a new Senator to be chosen and seated in a manner that would earn the confidence of the people of Illinois and all Americans.”…
Reid adds that his preference for an appointment by Blagojevich’s successor rather than a special election is driven by his belief that it is “imperative” that a new senator from Illinois be seated as soon as possible. An appointment by Quinn, a Democrat, also avoids the possibility that Democrats could lose the seat in a shortened special election campaign.
Cilizza hit the real reason Reid’s taking big stuff to Blago in his last sentence. Reid could case less how long it takes to sit a new Senator. He just wants to make darned sure that the people don’t get to make that decision because the chances they’ll pick a Democrat from the field of corruption-riddled potential candidates in Illinois is pretty slim.
If that’s not enough, Reid throws down a threat, too.
“Please understand that should you decide to ignore the request of the Senate Democratic Caucus and make an appointment we would be forced to exercise our Constitutional authority under Article I, Section 5, to determine whether such a person should be seated,” wrote Reid.
In other words, if Quinn doesn’t name a person Reid likes or if he lets the people of Illinois make the decision free of any suggestion of political taint, Reid and the rest of the Democratic Senate will simply refuse to seat the replacement.
Quinn ought to call Reid’s bluff and make the Little General back up his tough talk with something more than his normal huffing and puffing. If Reid wants to be the man, it’s time he stopped taking smack and did something. I, for one, am sick and tired of his yapping from the sidelines. Harry Reid has political backbone of a chewed up wad of bubble gum and I very much hope that Lt. Governor Quinn decides to embarrass him right out in front of everyone. This is not a fight Reid can win, not without giving up the few remaining points of positive approval rating he has left.
So come on, pal. Face off against the democratic process. See how well that works for you.
(via Hot Air)
Other Posts of Interest:
- Illinois Gov. Arrested for Rampant Corruption
- If You’re Feeling Good, Don’t Talk to Harry Reid
- Senator Kennedy Again? Why?
Category: Our New Democratic Overlords, The Good Old US of A
