Exactly What the Framers Had in Mind

I sure wouldn't want to be Harry Reid today. Actually, I can't imagine that I'd ever want to be Harry Reid, but today more so than usual. The Wall Street Journal reported today (along with I'm sure multiple other sources that I haven't read yet this morning) that defamed and fabled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is going back on his word and naming someone to fill President-Elect Obama's vacant Illinois Senate Seat. And I thought the story couldn't get any richer.

Now nothing against Blagogate's nominee, former Illinois Attorney General Roland W. Burris. Burris, in addition to serving as Illinois Attorney General from 1991 to 1995, Burris was also the first African-American to hold statewide elected office in Illinois, when in 1978 he was elected to the office of State Comptroller. (So I suppose that within Democratic party circles in Illinois, he is a worthy candidate.) If only Blagojevich hadn't made Burris a sacrificial lamb of sorts.

In Article One, Section Five, The Constitution gives the United States Senate power to "be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members". Basically, if they don't like you, you don't get to join. It's the Washington version of Augusta National Golf Club. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said a few weeks back that the Senate would not seat anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich. I guess now we'll get to see whether or not He will live up to his word.

In the end, the Constitution wished for a legislature that was able to conduct business free of undue influences that would negatively affect them. I am sure they weren't counting on the New York Times editorial board when they wrote that. At any rate, the ability of Harry Reid to say no to Blagojevich's now tainted nominee (who if Blagojevich had any ethics, he would be neither tainted nor a nominee, but his lack of ethics was proven weeks ago), is exactly what the framers had in mind. The ability to avoid the Hollywood-esque drama of today is critical to the conduct of congressional business. If only we could get all the members of Congress to agree.