As the drama winds down with the appointment of Roland Burris by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to President Elect Obama's Senate seat, the Democrats have been put in a no win situation by the embattled Governor.
The appointment of Burris by an allegedly corrupt Governor has caused a furor from both Republicans and Democrats alike. Anyone who is as blatant to not only be caught on tape trying to sell a Senate seat, but to also dare law enforcement to monitor him is clearly delusional, and in Rod Blagojevich's case - The poster child for political corruption.
In a common sense move, Democrats refused to seat Burris to the Senate due to the corruption scandal surrounding Blagojevich. This isn't necessarily an implication on Burris, but on Blagojevich.
I'm of the belief that Blagojevich knew exactly what he was doing by appointing Burris. First, it takes the heat off of him somewhat and spreads it out to Burris as well. Second, if Burris is seated, it gives Blagojevich a sort of legitimacy, because if he is truly guilty, the appearance is that he wouldn't be allowed to appoint someone. Now, remember that President Elect Obama was the only black Senator in the country. By selecting another African-American to replace Barack Obama, it turns the appointment into a race issue - even though it is not one.
The Democrats who originally blocked Burris did so without considering race, but rather, the corruption of the Governor. However, a feeling of being considered racist, in my opinion, is what has caused many Democrats to switch positions. The African-American voting bloc votes roughly ninety percent of the time for Democrats, and is a major reason why the Democrats have been able to win elections in not only 2008, but in years past. To even give the appearance that they are going against someone who would continue to be the only black Senator is a political fear they aren't willing to risk.
This is where the no win situation presents itself. If Democrats take a stand against Burris, they have the possibility of alienating a group of voters who have staunchly supported them. By supporting Burris however, they then associate themselves with the corruption brought on by Governor Blagojevich. Unfortunately in this 24/7 news cycle, keeping a voting bloc happy is more important than taking a stance and sticking with it, because the public will forget the details if you change the subject for long enough.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Anthony Fuller, January 14, 2009
-
- +0
-
-
I'm glad to see you're still blogging, Anthony, not that I ever doubted you would stop. Political bloggers seem to be dropping like flies these days.