Question for legal minds sharper than mine - If Rod Blagojevich had appointed Rod Blagojevich, is there anything at all the U.S. Senate could do to block his self-appointment?
I did a little research. 9 Governors appointed themselves since 1930. 8 have lost the next election. Only Albert Chandler of Kentucky won election. (He was later baseball commissioner).
I guess my larger question is whether there's anything at all the Senate can do to block a nominee. Of course, Rod B.'s self-appointment would raise even more outrage but what can anybody do? The way Harry Reid folded, it looks like nothing.
This is one of those situations where you have to hold your nose and let it happen in order to protect the overall integrity of the system (as ironic as that is in this case). Illinois hasn't removed Blago yet so he's still the Governor. And the Consitution says the Governor makes the appointment. Strictly speaking Blago could get through the impeachment and hold on to his office. It would be legally off the hook to assume the outcome prior to the completion of the proceedings.
If they stop Burris from sitting they start down a slippery slope. Consider the current foolishness with the approval process for Supreme Court nominees. Do we want the Senate to start blocking Gubernatorial appointments based on litmus tests? That would be the next step from here.
5 comments:
No. It has been done before, and I think every governor that appointed themselves lost the next election.
E,
I did a little research. 9 Governors appointed themselves since 1930. 8 have lost the next election. Only Albert Chandler of Kentucky won election. (He was later baseball commissioner).
I guess my larger question is whether there's anything at all the Senate can do to block a nominee. Of course, Rod B.'s self-appointment would raise even more outrage but what can anybody do? The way Harry Reid folded, it looks like nothing.
They can't stop him from taking his seat, which is why Burris will be seated.
This is one of those situations where you have to hold your nose and let it happen in order to protect the overall integrity of the system (as ironic as that is in this case). Illinois hasn't removed Blago yet so he's still the Governor. And the Consitution says the Governor makes the appointment. Strictly speaking Blago could get through the impeachment and hold on to his office. It would be legally off the hook to assume the outcome prior to the completion of the proceedings.
If they stop Burris from sitting they start down a slippery slope. Consider the current foolishness with the approval process for Supreme Court nominees. Do we want the Senate to start blocking Gubernatorial appointments based on litmus tests? That would be the next step from here.
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