Burris to get in?
 

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009...g-senate-seat/

Wait a minute, you're required to have a Governor and Sec. of State signature on your letter to be accepted. Burris doesn't have the Sec. of State (the check/balance) but Congress will do it anyway. Must be great to make up the rules as you go.

Backbone lacking poons :)

I dont think that a Secretary of State's signature is a check or a balance. It is a notarial act that authenticates the govenor's actions. The secretary of state has no vote or veto power. His refusal to sign the letter is, in effect, a veto of a sitting govenor's actions. While Blago is an ass who is under investigation, he has not been charged or indicted with any crime, impeached or removed from office... therefore, he is still the govenor of Illinois who has the exclusive power to appoint someone to the seat.

The secretary of state does not have the authority to stop the appointment.

See section No. 2 below, from the Rules of the Senate, available at www.senate.gov

2. The Secretary shall keep a record of the certificates of election and certificates of appointment of Senators by entering in a wellbound book kept for that purpose the date of the election or appointment, the name of the person elected or appointed, the date of the certificate, the name of the governor and the secretary of state signing and countersigning the same, and the State from which such Senator is elected or appointed."


Here is the actual rule and suggested form for a Senate seate appointment: http://rules.senate.gov/senaterules/rule02.php

One question, is the sec of state portion of the doc signed?

I believe it isn't.

It isn't, of course. But why? I'm wondering why Blago or Burris has not filed a writ of mandamus, ordering the secretary of state to perform his ministerial duty. Signing the letter is purely administrative.

That is the question I would ask and why Congress doesn't simply request the Gov to sign the secondary line :dunno: I'm not of fan of altering a practice for the sake of it.

Curious though, Burris ran for the Gov role in Illinois and lost..not sure the folks would want him as a Senator. Disappointed how Congress just did do the special session vote as requested by Obama and crew.

True, but he has won other statewide elections for Comptroller and Attorney General.