Reid's a master tactician, isn't he?

So does Burris's seniority begin last week, when all the others (except Franken) were sworn in, or does it begin this week?

For that matter, when does Franken's?

Wow, that's some piss-poor face-saving, innit?

"I'm glad it'll be over with in a few days."

Oh, I suspect that Sen. Burris (D-Blagojevich) will be around for at least a couple of years to remind the national public of what Chicago politicians are like ...

Attaboy Henry.

Yep, Reid handled that with his usual level of competence. Mission accomplished!

DOH,

Harry. Obviously I wouldn't be fit for the job either.

Yeah, I'm glad it's over too. However, Dems have to be smarter in the future. In this case, it isn't just Reid. A letter was issued representing all Senate Dems indicating that any Blagojevich appointee would not be seated. Their collective hearts were in the right place, but somebody should have checked to see if they could do that first? Dems had a legitimate gripe, but the law wasn't on our side.

Bottom line: No matter how well intentioned, we shouldn't make threats we can't legally keep.

On the other hand, who knew that Blagojevich had such disregard for Dem goals and would spit in all of our faces by making that appointment. And, who knew that Blago could find a guy with an ego the size of Everest--a prerequisite for accepting an appointment from a guy who was trying to sell the seat.

A letter was issued representing all Senate Dems indicating that any Blagojevich appointee would not be seated.

Reid "led" the fight against seating the guy. The easiest and smartest thing would have been to say "our hands may be tied in the matter" and while the Democrats would rather not have to seat Blago's choice, Burris, who has a decent record, is the best of a bad situation.

Instead, they blustered and failed. Reid's a joke and while he may have had "help", realistically, you can't unseat the Senate. But you can oust an incompetent Majority Leader.

Blago beat Reid like a rented mule. No wonder McConnel makes Reid look like a fool again and again.

Well, I have said all along that this appointment appeared to be legal. Sure, Blago should never have made it, but what is done, is done. The better course of action for Reid would have been to issue a statement saying something along the lines of: "While we in the Senate feel that Blago should not have made this appointment given the investigation into his actions, he is, nonetheless, the governor of the state of Illinois and as such has the authority to appoint a replacement for the vacant Senate seat. And since there appears to be no indication of inpropriety in the selection of Burris, and said apointee meets the requirements to hold the post, the Senate shall accept this appointment."

THAT is how this should have been handled.

You guys can be happy it's all over. For those of us who live in Illinois and who are going to be represented by this joker, it's just beginning.

I was really hoping that Jan Schakowsky was going to get the nod. Burris is no Schakowsky.

(oh, and just to pile on: Yep, Harry Reid screws up everything he touches... except for his own leadership position, bizarrely)

There was only one winner in this whole ridiculous fiasco:

Republican Mark Kirk, who will be the junior Senator from Illinois in 2010.

"You guys can be happy it's all over...."

Yup, this isn't 'over'. That Burris accepted this sweet deal is all you have to know about his moral character.

He's Blago's personal representative in the Senate and we'll be reminded of this again and again through the years of Blago's criminal case.

This is the gift that'll keep on giving -- for the GOP.

None of this would have happened if Obama hadn't resigned his Senate seat so soon. He should have waited until right before the inauguration.

Blago: 1

Obama/Rookie: 0

None of this would have happened if Obama hadn't resigned his Senate seat so soon. He should have waited until right before the inauguration.

And that would have made Blago not be a crook? He still would have known the seat would be empty in January and he still would have put it out for auction.

Add the fact that only a senator who wants to be sure he or she is confirmed for a Cabinet position before resigning a seat--Clinton, for example--steps down AFTER the first date of the new congress, and your assertion doesn't seem to make much sense.