Obama Will Resign from Senate on Sunday

[Avalon6]

I'm curious as to why he is resigning so early. The Democrats could use an extra vote in the Senate during the lame-duck session.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/11/obama-will-resi.html

"President-elect Barack Obama said today he will step down from his Senate seat effective this Sunday.

The decision adds to the pressure on Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Democrat, who under state law has the sole responsibility for naming a successor to Obama, the only African-American in the Senate.

“It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate," Obama said in a statement today.

"In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future," Obama said. "It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President."

[AtomicKitten]

1. Moving forward, he has his hands full.

[glowing]

2. My guess is that the good Gov. is going to have some problems himself soon.

AND in order to get his choice in the seat, they'd prefer to do it now, rather than later.. Also, it keeps Obama from having to take a partisan voice on issues going forth. Smart move I'd say.

[SoxFan]

3. Seniority

If Obama resigns and Blago quickly appoints a new senator, that individual would have about a month's seniority over any other new member with comparable political service.

Here in NH, Democrat John Durkin resigned early to allow Warren Rudman to take office early back in 1980.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Bingo!

[Lucky 13]

11. Genuis!

It seems there is a reason they do everything... I just normally can't figure it out on my own. Thanks.

[WI_DEM]

4. for one thing so that a new dem can be appointed who will have seniority over the upcoming senators,

I would guess.

[Max_powers94]

5. I should be his replacement

[liberal N proud]

6. It allows the Governor of Illinois to start the process to replace him.

[Bicoastal]

7. He's resigning early for 2 reasons, I think:

1) To get a handle on all of the Foreign and Domestic affairs he needs to address the DAY after the inauguration, as well as the team that will help him solve these problems. There will be no honeymoon period for President Barack Obama--his burden is simply too great and his expectations are too high. So he needs to get working on this stuff now, not later.

2) To spend a little bit of quality time with his wife, kids, family, and friends before all of their lives are turned upside down by 4-8 years living and working in the White House, when every single little thing any of them says or does will be under even a greater microscope than the one that's tracking them now.

So it'll be half preparation, and half vacation. I think it's a smart move.

[onenote]

8. several reasons

As mentioned above, there is a seniority consideration; there is the fact that he has other things to deal with; and finally, he is no longer one among equals when it comes to the Senate and his participation would be subjected to a different level of scrutiny than that of any other senator. He's best off keeping his powder dry duirng this transitional period.

[Alter Ego]

10. Oh no! Obama's leaving the Senate?!

Oh, wait...