FOREVER BURRIS
There are many calls for the resignation of Roland Burris, the Illinois Senator appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, after his arrest but before his impeachment.
But such a resignation is doubtful. Remember how persistent Burris was when practically everyone opposed his taking the seat in the Senate? He persisted and no one could find a legal way to stop him. So now the Democrats sorely need his vote in the coming months and would do well to keep him there until the 2010 election, which he will probably either skip or lose in the primary.
A new appointment now by the current Illinois Governor would be problematic. I won't comment on opinions that the next Senator there should be black, since when it comes to discussing race I am a coward.
NO DRAMA OBAMA
President Obama, ever sensitive to the needs and wishes of the media and their audiences, has taken steps to avoid political boredom and inject some drama into his administration. It started with the sudden withdrawal of Bill Richardson as candidate for Secretary of Commerce. A pay-for-play problem. Then came Tim Geithner, who became Treasury Secretary despite failure to pay some income taxes when due. Meanwhile, the President was having cocktail and Super Bowl parties and otherwise courting Republicans to support a huge, controversial stimulus bill.
Further drama ensued when former Majority Leader Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for health secretary because of tax problems involving a limousine lifestyle. Then came the latest surprise when Judd Gregg, a prominent Republican, withdrew his nomination as secretary of Commerce, upsetting the Team of Rivals nature of the Obama cabinet.
The Gregg withdrawal was sudden and surprising. Mr. Gregg apparently just realized that his views were in conlict with those of the administration. What was it about the Democratic platform and Obama's speeches did he not understand? It seems that, as in Casablanca, he was "shocked, shocked" that there were Democratic policies going on in the White House.
There are many calls for the resignation of Roland Burris, the Illinois Senator appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, after his arrest but before his impeachment.
But such a resignation is doubtful. Remember how persistent Burris was when practically everyone opposed his taking the seat in the Senate? He persisted and no one could find a legal way to stop him. So now the Democrats sorely need his vote in the coming months and would do well to keep him there until the 2010 election, which he will probably either skip or lose in the primary.
A new appointment now by the current Illinois Governor would be problematic. I won't comment on opinions that the next Senator there should be black, since when it comes to discussing race I am a coward.
NO DRAMA OBAMA
President Obama, ever sensitive to the needs and wishes of the media and their audiences, has taken steps to avoid political boredom and inject some drama into his administration. It started with the sudden withdrawal of Bill Richardson as candidate for Secretary of Commerce. A pay-for-play problem. Then came Tim Geithner, who became Treasury Secretary despite failure to pay some income taxes when due. Meanwhile, the President was having cocktail and Super Bowl parties and otherwise courting Republicans to support a huge, controversial stimulus bill.
Further drama ensued when former Majority Leader Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for health secretary because of tax problems involving a limousine lifestyle. Then came the latest surprise when Judd Gregg, a prominent Republican, withdrew his nomination as secretary of Commerce, upsetting the Team of Rivals nature of the Obama cabinet.
The Gregg withdrawal was sudden and surprising. Mr. Gregg apparently just realized that his views were in conlict with those of the administration. What was it about the Democratic platform and Obama's speeches did he not understand? It seems that, as in Casablanca, he was "shocked, shocked" that there were Democratic policies going on in the White House.
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