"They played a little bit of a game with Burris yesterday."

[bigtree]

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White makes a statement after Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich announced former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as his choice (REUTERS/Frank Polich)

from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/07/illinois.senate/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

After his meeting with Burris, Reid said that the Illinois Supreme Court may be able to help clear the way for Burris, a former state attorney general, to fill the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Reid said that he is waiting for a ruling from the Illinois high court on whether Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White needs to sign the certificate of appointment for Burris.

White, however, disputed the claim that his signature was needed on Burris' certificate, saying Wednesday that he was the "fall guy" for politicians who oppose Burris.

"They could have seated him without my signature," White told WGN Radio. "It carries a lot of weight, but my signature is mostly ceremonial rather than being a point of law."

"They played a little bit of a game with Burris yesterday. They have the authority to put the gentleman in place."


Listen to White say his signature is unnecessary » http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/07/illinois.senate/index.html?iref=mpstoryview#cnnSTCVideo

[John Q. Citizen]

1. Where are all the posters who said Burris can't be seated, as a point of law, without the SOS

signature.

I'm hoping they will post and apologize for misleading people.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Good for Mr. White speaking out for Burris.

This has been ridiculous. Seat the man and let's move on to the many many crises facing us, ok?

Yeesh. It's hard to be from Illinois these days.

[redstate_democrat]

3. I wrote the exact same thing yesterday, with proof by posting a provision of the IL constitution

and the relevant statute, and someone posted back to me: "IT'S NOT UP TO YOU IT'S UP TO TEH COURTZ!!11!one"

and someone else asked, "do you really think the Sec of State has veto power over the governor?" and the answer was "yes".

That's like saying the OMB chief would have veto power over the decisions of Obama, but in this case, the Sec. of State's position in IL is DEFINED and LIMITED by that state's constitution. :crazy:

[dflprincess]

4. Sure, Harry sends the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep Burris out

but he can't send him to drag Rove or Meyers in.

That Reid sure knows how to play hardball. :sarcasm:

[malaise]

5. 100% correct n/t

[bevoette]

6. White was on NPR's ATC last week saying he was PURPOSELY not signing it...

yes, he did say that his signature was ceremonial and was not required...but he also very explicitly said he wouldn't sign as a form of protest himself.

sooo...LAST week when everybody was saying 'nuh-uh no way', he was into 'symbolically protesting'.

now he seems to be all "hey, give him his seat!"



i don't think it passes the smell test. White is being opportunistic and playing his own game. pffft.

[Cha]

7. Things really changed in

a week. I'm one of those who didn't want Burris seated but whatever.