Senate Should Seat Franken, But Not BurrisPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jan. 06‚ 2009Today is the first day of the 111th Congress, but the U.S. Senate will not seat two Democratic freshmen: Al Franken of Minnesota, and Roland Burris of Illinois. After two long months of counting and recounting the votes, Franken legitimately won his race – and must be sworn in. Despite Republican Norm Coleman pursuing further legal action, there is clear precedent for the Senate to (at least provisionally) seat Franken. The same can’t be said, however, about Roland Burris – who was appointed by Rod Blagojevich, after the Illinois Governor was arrested for selling the seat to the highest bidder. Although many observers claim there is nothing the U.S. Senate can do to shut out Burris (citing the Adam Clayton Powell precedent), the legalities are more complicated than that – and Democrats should be willing to risk dragging this on longer for the prospect of ultimately getting an untainted Senator. Roland Burris is an egomaniacal loser – a political has-been who so desperately seeks the limelight that he was willing to take up Blagojevich’s offer (while other politicians turned it down), which will only cause Senators grief down the road. While I agree that Illinois must have an African-American Senator, Democrats must stand firm – because “moving on” isn’t worth being stuck with Burris for the next two years. |