Senator ? (D-NH)

As is now old news at this point, the President is expected tomorrow to name Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), ranking member of the Budget Committee, as his nominee for Secretary of Commerce. More then adding to the bipartisanship of the Obama cabinet in a critical cabinet post during this economic crisis, this is a move of either political brilliance or just simple math. Either way, I'm surprised it took us this long to come up with the idea. Gregg would obviously vacate his Senate seat, leaving it up to yet another governor to appoint a replacement. (This whole governors-naming-senators thing has been fun...why let it stop?) The governor of New Hampshire, John Lynch, is a Democrat. If Gov. Lynch were to appoint a Democrat (and if the Senate seats Al Franken (D-MN) who has been certified the winner) the Democrats will have 60 votes in the U.S. Senate, also known as a filibuster-proof majority. (Assuming you count Joe Lieberman, and feel free not to count him.) Meaning we could do pretty much whatever we wanted. The Republican party would be utterly obsolete for two years. Granted, that could get very dangerous and end up hurting the party in the long run. But man, those would be a great two years, wouldn't they? Maybe. If we had money to spend and could focus on more of our social and civil rights priorities, but whether it's 59 Democrats or 60, it's still going to be the economy, the economy, the economy, with any time left over going to Iraq. That, and Senator Gregg may have a caveat (according to the Post): he'll only resign if Gov. Lynch appoints a Republican - likely J. Bonnie Newman. I guess we'll see tomorrow.

RFK Jr. for the U.S. Senate

Today, I have begun an online effort to draft Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to run in 2010 against Sen. Kristen Gillibrand for the United States Senate from New York. Senator Gillibrand has a record strongly endorsed by the National Rifle Association. Bobby's stance in support of strong gun control is deeply rooted in his family.

In 2010, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to elect a new United States Senator, and to continue the work begun by Hillary Rodham Clinton, we need a strong, vocal and effective progressive voice representing the Empire State in the Senate.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is the man for our time. He is a courageous attorney, an amazing father, a patriot and a leader. Bobby's dedication to the environment is unparalleled and he would make an excellent United States Senator.

We need our voices to be heard, to let it be known that New Yorkers want and need a true progressive serving them in the United States Senate, to let it be clearly known that we want Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to run for the U.S. Senate.

Show your support for Bobby by joining http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=74893196232&ref=mf
For more information about Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., visit: http://www.robertfkennedyjr.com/about.html

Something to ponder

The Senate took no action to expel then-Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) after he was convicted on 7 felony charges, but would prefer not to seat Roland Burris because he was appointed by a governor who has yet to be indicted. Hmm....

The Circus that is Roland Burris

I am by no means pleased that Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) appointed Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate last week. Blago needed to resign last month and he is putting his party in a very difficult position. That said, regardless of the political implications and appearance of the appointment, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) needs to remember that the law trumps the desires of the caucus. Impotent and a joke he may be, but Rod Blagojevich is still the governor of Illinois, and under Illinois law he gets to appoint qualified persons to fill unexpired terms in the U.S. Senate. Roland Burris is clearly missing a few screws, but he has done nothing illegal or improper. His appointment to the Senate is valid, regardless of whether or not Jesse White, the secretary of state in Illinois and a black Democrat, will sign off on it. The Senate has no choice but to seat Roland Burris, and Reid would be wise to avoid a further spectacle, not to mention the accusations of racism, and allow Mr. Burris to enter the chamber to which he was lawfully appointed.