Democrat Leaders Promise That Burris Will Be Met With Armed Guards If He Tries To Take His Seat

The Blagojevich scandal just keeps getting better and better. It’s not just about Blago, Obama and the Chicago political machine any more. By the way Democrats in general are handling this mess, it’s shining a light about liberal attitudes toward the law in general.

Should Roland Burris show up for duty in the Senate on Tuesday, armed police officers stand ready to bar him from the floor.
This cinematic showdown is among an elaborate set of contingencies that Democratic leaders are planning if, as expected, the former Illinois attorney general appointed by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich shows up with newly elected senators to press his claim that he is the legitimate replacement for President-elect Barack Obama.
Democratic leaders hope to avert such a standoff. And Burris, in an interview Wednesday, said he hoped to claim the Senate seat without added drama.
“We’re not going to create a scene in Washington,” Burris said. “We hope it’s negotiated out prior to my going to Washington.”
Still, the Senate leaders’ planning, detailed by a Democratic official briefed on their deliberations, even covers scenarios such as Blagojevich appearing in person to escort Burris.
Ironically, as a sitting governor, the scandal-plagued Blagojevich is allowed floor privileges. But Lucio Guerrero, Blagojevich’s spokesman, said the governor had not decided whether to go to Washington with Burris.
With Democratic leaders vowing to bar anyone appointed by Blagojevich because of federal charges that he attempted to sell Obama’s seat, leaders hope to stall Burris with paperwork. Senate rules require that an incoming senator’s selection be certified by the secretary of state for his home state, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has declined to sign a certification of Burris’ appointment.

I have a feeling that Burris appointment is going to end up before a judge (which, for Blago, will undoubtedly be a welcome distraction from his own legal problems), but what I’m still wondering is how these Democrats think they can keep Burris from taking his seat in the Senate?
Like it or not, Blago is still the governor in Illinois until he gets impeached. Appointing a replacement for Obama is the responsibility of his office. Burris meets all of the requirements for being one of Illinois’ senators laid out in state law and the Constitution. Blago may be a corrupt piece of dirt, but with this appointment he didn’t break any laws.
Plus, what about innocent until proven guilty? I, personally, feel that Blago is guilty as sin. But he hasn’t be convicted, so what basis does anyone have to stop him from using his powers as the elected executive (thanks in large part to Barack Obama) of the state of Illinois?
If Burris is barred from taking his rightful place in the Senate by armed guards I think the Democrat party leaders are the ones showing a decided lack of respect for the law.