Reply #10: I think Reid is over-stepping his Constitutional limits....

[earthlover]

Yes, the Senate can rule on the qualifications of an incoming Senator. But....a big but....the qualifications are the age, residency requirements set forth in the Constitution. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say one of the qualifications for holding the office of Senator is not being appointed by a dingbat governor! In addition, the Supreme Court has specifically ruled that the Senate can only rule on issues relating to constitutional qualifications. And this is as it should be....otherwise, the senate could theoretically reject ANY new senator it didn't like!

I don't know the best solution to this problem, but from a constitutional position, Reid is way off. Sorry.

Burris obviously fulfills the constitutional requirements for the office. It is a pretty lame arguement for the Democrats to say, sure he is qualified, but he can't serve. Whaaaaaaaat?

I don't like Blago at all. I would not shed a tear if he stepped down. But, at the present time, he has the Constitutional power to appoint the new Senator.