Coons Enters Delaware Senate Race, will "surprise the devil out of" election watchers.

By GottaLaff

The Democrats have a candidate for Vice President Biden's old Senate seat:

The Wilmington News Journal reports Chris Coons (D) "made it official today: He's challenging Congressman Mike Castle for the open U.S. Senate seat long held by Vice President Joe Biden."

According to Politico, Biden yesterday predicted Coons will "surprise the devil out of" election watchers.

Let's hope it's a pleasant surprise or the devil will win.

Scott Brown Could Take Seat Tomorrow

By GottaLaff

Some things do get done quickly. Now how about health care reform:

Sources tell NBC News that Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R-MA) "could be installed as Massachusetts' junior senator as early as tomorrow afternoon. Previously, Brown was expected to take the oath one week later, on Feb. 11."

Senate Rejects Amendment to Cede D.C. to Maryland

By GottaLaff

Rejected:

The Senate today rejected an amendment to cede most of the District back to Maryland, a measure aimed at largely replacing a bill that would give the nation's capital its first seat ever in the House of Representatives.

The amendment was one of several offered so far that could dramatically change the legislation, or complicate its chances of becoming law. Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev) hopes to bring the D.C. voting rights bill to a crucial vote tonight, but it is unclear whether the Senate will move that rapidly. [...]

“Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) argued that the amendment tried to alter Maryland’s boundaries without even seeking the input of its political leadership.

As for Maryland’s inhabitants, “they believe residents of the District of Columbia should have a voting representative in the House of Representatives,” he said. “That’s what they want, and we agree with that.” He further suggested that the District should have two U.S. senators.

The measure failed by a 67-30 vote.”

Result: Amendment Rejected

Note to Roland Burris: Shhhh.

By GottaLaff

When you're in a hole, stop digging:

Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) "trying to save his sinking Senate career, delivered a brief statement Monday morning where he argued he answered questions about the contacts he had with former Gov. Blagojevich team leading up to his appointment," Lynn Sweet reports.

Unlike the fiasco yesterday, Burris did not take any questions.

First Read says the new Burris revelations may be enough to: "(1) Seriously hurt Burris' chances of surviving primary challenges from strong Democratic challengers like Lisa Madigan, Jan Schakowsky, Jesse Jackson Jr. or others, and (2) Embolden those Democrats and give them prime oppo ammo."

Republicans hope the controversy allows them to win the Senate seat in 2010.

Yesterday, Jeff Toobin said that Burris hurt himself politically, but not legally. Whatever his problems, I still appreciated his smackdown of the press.

VIDEO: Roland Burris' warning to press was prophetic

By GottaLaff


An unedited video of the entire presser can be found here. My original post is here, which describes Senator Burris laying into the press, warning them that their sloppy reporting would result in a field day for Republicans out for blood (see video above). Guess what:

Politico notes Illinois Republicans "are calling on Burris to resign; he's facing a possible perjury investigation in his home state; and his Senate colleagues may face new pressure to launch an Ethics Committee probe to determine whether he should be expelled from the body."

Burris called it.

Roland Burris rips into the press

By GottaLaff

Following up this post:

Roland Burris was very combative at his press conference, and just swatted the reporters hard. He told them this is a non-story, and if they'd done their job correctly they'd see that. He then said that because of their reporting, the GOP could run with it, go to "some grand jury", when in fact, this is the end of the story, not the beginning.

Jeffrey Toobin: Burris has a political problem, not a legal one. His statement wasn't false, but voters may think he was downplaying his connections to Rod Blagojevich come election day. He was smart to come out and answer questions, and he meandered some, but he had to answer the accusations. His political viability may be in question. However, prosecution is a very, very remote possibility.

Senator Roland Burris facing perjury probe

By GottaLaff

Burris is going to do a Q and A at 3:30 pm CST:

U.S. Senator Roland W. Burris will make a statement and answer questions today regarding his supplemental affidavit to the Illinois House Impeachment Committee.

Why? Because of this:

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother solicited Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) "for up to $10,000 in campaign cash before Blagojevich named Burris to the coveted post -- something Burris initially failed to disclose under oath before an Illinois House impeachment panel," the Chicago Sun Times reports.

Burris "acknowledges being hit up for the money in a new affidavit he has sent to the head of the House committee that recommended Blagojevich be removed from office."

However, in the affidavit, Burris said he refused to contribute to Blagojevich or to assist in fundraising for him.

What, this just came to him? This story will never go away, will it? We're all stuck in Blago-Burris Hell.

GOP dead set against Senator Al Franken

By GottaLaff

Hey! What do Republicans have against comedians? As a former comedy performer myself, I am hurt to the quick. Rejection's not easy, you know... sniffle snurfle:

Having just seen what President Barack Obama can do with 58 Democrats in the Senate, Republicans are more determined than ever to keep him from getting a 59th.

Especially if the 59th is Al Franken.

As we all know, the Coleman-Franken legal battle feels longer than a Sarah Palin run-on sentence. Well, maybe not that long, but I digress:

Which is exactly how Senate Republicans want it. The National Republican Senatorial Committee held a ritzy fundraiser for Coleman in Washington this week, helping him raise the money he needs to keep his legal challenges alive through a trial and then a lengthy legal process if he loses. [...]

The Democrats know how important the seat is — and they accuse the GOP of prolonging Coleman’s legal fight just to keep it empty. [...]

If Franken becomes the 59th senator to caucus with the Democrats, the GOP knows that Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will be able to railroad legislation through the Senate by picking off a single Republican moderate.

And that would be the best punch line ever.

AP Exclusive: Caroline Kennedy Talks Senate Seat

I'm with Matt and Kos, Jerry Nadler would be fantastic for this seat. More here-

ALBANY--Caroline Kennedy sat for an interview with the Associated Press.

Details out later, but the AP moved a brief in which Kennedy, who is seeking appointment to a U.S. Senate seat, called herself "an unconventional choice" and said she knows she'll have to work hard to prove herself because of her famous name.

The fact that making herself available for formal interviews should mean the end of theme that Kennedy is the Sarah Palin of New York, based on how she's dealt with the media. But the "unconventional" claim could well end up as the punchline of a whole new line of gags from her critics.

Blago ReportTo Be Released: 4:30pm Eastern, 12/23/08

I'm sure someone will try and conspiracy theory this.

The Obama Transition team will release the review of their investigation into staff contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office over President-elect Obama's vacated Illinois Senate seat at 4:30pm Eastern time Tuesday.

An Obama transition aide advises that the time was made upon agreement with the US attorney's office so that it doesn't impede their investigation.

Alaska Senator Murkowski Warns Palin

By GottaLaff

Murkowski is telling Palin to keep her hands off her seat. Well, now, that's getting a little personal, isn't it? What's that? Ohhh, her Senate seat. My bad:

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) sent a sharp message to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), according to the Politico: "If you want to make a run at the White House, keep your hands off my Senate seat."

Said Murkowski: "I can guarantee it would be a very tough election... If she wants to be president, I don't think the way to the presidency is a short stop in the United States Senate."

That's okay. Gov. Diva can always run in Georgia. They love her there.