Harry Reid is demanding that someone, anyone, make an appointment to Obama’s so-to-be-empty seat.
The momentum for a special election to replace President-elect Barack Obama ran into a major hurdle late this afternoon in the form of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) who penned a letter today to scandal-tarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich making clear he would prefer the incumbent step aside and let Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn make the appointment.
“It is within the authority of the Illinois legislature to remove your power to make this appointment by providing for a special election,” wrote Reid in a letter obtained by The Fix. “But a decision by you to resign or to step aside under Article V of the Illinois Constitution would be the most expeditious way for a new Senator to be chosen and seated in a manner that would earn the confidence of the people of Illinois and all Americans.”
Reid adds that his preference for an appointment by Blagojevich’s successor rather than a special election is driven by his belief that it is “imperative” that a new senator from Illinois be seated as soon as possible.
Yes, because it wouldn’t have anything to do with the possibility that Harry is afraid that with this scandal involving multiple Democrats is still unfolding and that there is a moderate possibility a Republican could win the seat.
No. Not at all.
Obama and Reid were scared by the Chambliss win and are trying to get Snowe out of the Senate so that they can hand Minnesota over to Franken and get their 60th seat, and this throws a wrench into that plan.
Funny that Democrats are afraid of democracy.