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McCain: Seat 'Legally Appointed' Burris
January 09, 2009 4:59 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis and Ferdous Al-Faruque report:
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Friday that he would "certainly" seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, adding that he does not see on what grounds he can be denied the U.S. Senate seat previously filled by Barack Obama.
Asked about the ongoing impeachment proceedings in Illinois against Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, McCain said he is not an expert on the Illinois state constitution but added that Burris, whom he has never met, seems to be an individual who was "chosen in a legal manner."
McCain offered his opinion -- that Burris was "legally appointed" and that he should be seated -- during a Friday interview with Neil Cavuto of the Fox News Channel.
Here is an unofficial transcript of the exchange:
Cavuto: "Let me ask you, because you have this side soap opera going with Blagojevich and whether Burris is going to be seated. Do you think it should be resolved quickly so, as Barack Obama seems to be saying, move on with the people's business?"
McCain: "Well, I hope so and it's not my business, either one. But in the case of Sen. Burris, I don't see what grounds you deny him being seated."
Cavuto: "So, you would seat him?"
McCain: "Certainly, because I think he has been legally appointed by a governor who has not been ... "
Cavuto: "But the governor might be impeached, thereby negating his appointments."
McCain: "I don't know if you can negate it that way. I'm not the constitutional scholar of the Illinois state constitution but it seems to me that the individual was chosen in a legal manner, who I have never met, by the way."
January 9, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (6)
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He should be seated but it's nice to see McCain carrying the Democrats water... AGAIN!!! Oh and thanks for that Bob Dole effort on the election too John. Now would you be a true "Maverick" and offically take that R off your affilliation and put the D where it belongs. I'm sorry you'll never live upto your aspirations and be a "true" Kennedy, but hey, at least you can still go out and drink with one and others who think like yourself. You pathetic RINO! Oh, and take Giuliani, Romney, Huckabbe and "Dead Fred" with you, it's time to put Republicans back in the Republican party! (Thanks for expanding big government and fighting a war against a tactic you idiot "Shrub"/Bush) Let's have an opposition party next time, and maybe then we'll see some REAL "Change!"
Posted by: please! | Jan 9, 2009 5:28:48 PM
please!, if you agree that he should be seated (as you state), then why are you complaining about Sen. McCain agreeing with you?
Then you complain about all those "bad" Republicans, and want them replaced with "good" Republicans. Who, in your opinion, would be "good" Republicans?
Posted by: thank you! | Jan 9, 2009 8:10:54 PM
It looks to me like he's taking a shot at Reid and Durbin.
Posted by: RL in Illinois | Jan 10, 2009 12:55:21 AM
although i agree that Burris should be seated. it's a legal appointment and bound to happen. Reid has already indicated as much. McCain comes out late in the day for seating Burris.
it's strange to me that Republicans are fighting so hard for Burris to be seated. it's certainly not out of priniple. they are hoping to have Burris seated, who will be a tainted target in 2010, and have a Republican elected. do right-wing conservatives really share any of Burris's values? will any Republicans support his election in 2010? i doubt it seriously.
McCain is a day late and a dollar short as far as credibililty with this particular issue.
Posted by: Paul Wall | Jan 10, 2009 11:27:38 AM
It's time to put Johnny down for a
nap. He keeps spilling every glass
of warm milk that's handed to him.
Can A.D.D. appear in the 70s?
Posted by: grizzly bare | Jan 10, 2009 9:14:13 PM
I agree with Paul. Burris should be seated so that the Democrats can get back to the business of governing and the Republicans can stop pretending that they like Blagojevich and Burris and start running against them for the 2010 election. Reid might want to drag this out though, so that he can get more Republicans on record in support of Blagojevich and Burris. This will make it harder for them to turn on Burris, as they inevitably will, once he is seated.
Posted by: anthony | Jan 10, 2009 10:54:29 PM
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