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.

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The 28th Amendment to the Constitution

In my post about Roland Burris, I wrote:

"Hopefully this will lead to more states changing their laws and making it so governors cannot appoint replacement U.S. Senators. It is inherently undemocratic. There should be special elections, just like in the U.S. House. At least some progress can be made. Maybe appointments have to have been elected to statewide office before (sorry Caroline). Another possible step is to make it so that there is a special election, but until then there is a temporary appointed placeholder. Either way, this current system blows."

Not much more than a week later and *BAM* here comes Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin:

“The controversies surrounding some of the recent gubernatorial appointments to vacant Senate seats make it painfully clear that such appointments are an anachronism that must end. In 1913, the Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution gave the citizens of this country the power to finally elect their senators. They should have the same power in the case of unexpected mid term vacancies, so that the Senate is as responsive as possible to the will of the people. I plan to introduce a constitutional amendment this week to require special elections when a Senate seat is vacant, as the Constitution mandates for the House, and as my own state of Wisconsin already requires by statute. As the Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee, I will hold a hearing on this important topic soon.”

His proposed constitutional amendment would require special elections in the event of Senate vacancies.

Not only do I support this amendment, but I think it is one of the few times an amendment actually has a possibility of passing. Usually they are just symbolic gestures.

Have a nice day!

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