D'Oh! More Senate Appointment Fiascos?

I wrote before about WI Senator Russ Feingold's proposed Constitutional amendment making it so that all Senate vacancies are filled by special elections and special elections only. It is a great amendment, especially after the Roland Burris and Caroline Kennedy debacles.

Now, there is even more fuel for the fire.

Bill Richardson, New Mexico's Democratic Governor, was Obama's original selection for Commerce Secretary, but he later dropped his name for consideration after a controversy broke out. Now, Obama has selected Republican New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg for the position, which opens up yet another Senate seat. New Hampshire's Governor, John Lynch, is a Democrat, however, so there was speculation that Lynch would appoint a Democrat to fill Gregg's seat. Apparently, however, Gregg made a deal with Obama and Lynch that he wouldn't accept the position unless he was replaced with a Republican. Thus, today, J. Bonnie Newman, a Republican, was selected by Lynch to fill the open Senate seat.

This is not cool. I don't care that she is Republican, but I do care that there was a deal made preventing any Democrats from being considered. I find the whole thing kind of shady and undemocratic. We need Senators who are the result of elections and not the result of backroom deals. Feingold agrees:

“But the apparent behind-the-scenes deal-making that went on to determine who will fill Senator Gregg's vacancy is alarmingly undemocratic. Once again, Americans will be represented in the Senate for nearly two years by someone they had no hand in electing. As the number of Senators appointed to their seats continues to rise, it's increasingly clear that we need to fix this constitutional anachronism. It is time to pass a constitutional amendment to end appointments by governors and the political gamesmanship they encourage.”

I whole-heartedly concur Russ.

On top of this new New Hampshire business, I read a post regarding Florida. Current Republican Senator Mel Martinez is planning on retiring at the end of this term, although there is speculation that he may retire early, and his office isn't really denying it. There is also talk about Charlie Crist, the current Republican Governor of Florida, is thinking about wanting a Senate seat. There is talk that Crist may actually consider appointing himself to the spot, which is unfortunately legal. This wouldn't look too good though, so he may resign as governor when Martinez resigns as senator. Then the Lt. Governor would become Governor and appoint Crist to the Senate seat. While I doubt this will happen, the fact that it could happen really bothers me.

We need this amendment. Have a good day.