Illinois Secretary Of State Caves, Signs Burris’ Appointment Certificate
So much for that “moral stand” he was taking.
Of course, after the courts in Illinois ruled that Secretary White had no standing to deny Burris a certification, he didn’t have much of a choice.
Burris’ attorneys argued White’s certification, following the earlier state court ruling, meant there was no reason that the Burris’ appointment should not be accepted by Democratic leaders.
“We’ve done everything we’ve been asked to do,” said Timothy W. Wright III, Burris’ attorney on Friday evening. “We’re hoping they respond tonight, this weekend, as soon as possible.”
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A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), who has refused to allow Burris to take a Senate seat with White’s countersignature, said Senate lawyers and officials were reviewing White’s action.
And now Senate Democrats have run out of excuses for denying Burris his seat. Harry Reid hung his case on a Senate rule which recommends that new Senators have their appointment/election signed off on by their state’s Sec. of State, but now Burris has jumped that hurdle.
I really don’t see what other pretense they could possibly use. Unless they’re just going to come right out and admit that they’re going to ignore the law for the sake of political expediency.
