Who Pulls Roland’s Strings?

What intelligent or politically astute politician would agree to be Blago’s nominee? An appointment by Blagojevich will always be tainted, will any of his colleagues trust him? Look at the circus that has developed around this whole sorry interlude.

If he is so altruistic why did he not announce that he would only accept the seat on an interim basis, and not seek election in two years? That would have been the admirable thing to do. That just might have signaled that he is doing it out of a concern to serve the electorate and shield them from any more drama. It might have actually calmed the waters.

After two years, he would have established a track record, and could then, if he wished stand for election. Instead, by announcing now that he will stand for election in two years, it just seems as if his primary motivation is his own career advancement. (Think of the retirement plan he would be eligible for as a former U.S. Senator, probably beats anything he would receive from the state.)

What significant harm can come to the Democratic party or the people of Illinois if no Democrat would accept an appointment from Blagojevich. It will all still have to be resolved, either by Blagojevich ceding the appointment authority, or it being taken away from him, and an appointment made by a successor or no appointment but a special election.

This all seems to be driven by short term tactical strategy by Blagojevich, and a short term career move by a politician, Burris, who would most likely never have gone any further in his political life.

At their best politicians work to serve their constituents, but far too often they lose sight of their original ideals and focus almost entirely in retaining their seat (the source of their income and their comfort).

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There is something about the Senate

This campaign has been all about the senators. Not many Senators have ascended to the presidency. And now the rout of outsiders is complete and a senator will be elected President in 2008, and perhaps Vice President. The AP and MSNBC confirmed that Senator Joe Biden will be Senator Obama’s running mate.

We are not surprised, but that is OK. All the signs pointed in Biden’s direction — the trip to Georgia, his silence yesterday (it is very hard for him to be quiet), flowers and family arriving at his home, etc. Operating only from memory (I’ll confirm much more through research later), here are a few initial reflections.

It is a good thing. Biden is a smart choice. Biden will do just fine. He has wanted to be president for a long time, and he will be happy to be Vice President. He will offer wise counsel, foreign relations gravitas, and honest feedback. He will provide good leadership that will not require the “lawyering-up” of a Cheney/Bush.

Joe Biden has the seasoning of difficult life experiences, intellect, courage and honesty, and a very fine record as a working senator and leader. He lost his beloved first wife and child many years ago. He rebuilt his life and found love again. He has weathered serious health problems. He has ridden the train back and forth from Delaware to Washington for years and years. So, he knows the value of “chilling.” And he has a bit of healthy vanity, having had his male pattern baldness repaired, in front of all of us, many years ago.

No more an elitist than Senator Obama is, he comes from a working class background. These two intelligent Democratic nominees can govern well together. If it had been about garnering votes Senator Obama would have chosen Senator Clinton. But governance would have been a nightmare.

About getting elected, however, Senator Biden will know how to fiercely oppose Senator McCain. He has known the Arizonan since he came into the senate. I have no doubt that he will be able to make the case that McCain and our current president (OCP) are “one and the same.” I remember many times when Biden was standing before MSNBC’s cameras roundly criticizing OCP for his latest misstep without holding much of anything back. He can serve the traditional Vice Presidential role of attack dog quite adequately. But he will do it with class.

(Cross-posted at South by Southwest.)

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Earmarks? Senate loves them..votes against ending them.

Those wonderful folks that represent us in the Senate that give lipservice to how horrible earmarks are..well..they really don’t want them to end. By a vote of 71-29 a bill to end earmarks for a year, went down in flames. Interestingly enough, I can’t find a single major Media outlet reporting on this when I google it. But alas, my dear reader..I did find a writeup about it in the Contra Costa Times:

Efforts by Sens. John McCain, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama to place a moratorium on earmarked pork-barrel spending additions to the budget were soundly defeated on a 71-29 vote in the Senate.

More than half of the GOP senators voted against the effort to rein in out-of-control earmarks, a process in which lawmakers’ pet projects are attached to legislation without any debate. Only three Democrats joined their party’s presidential candidates in opposing earmarks.

Bastards..its all business as usual. See how your Senator voted here.

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