Feingold: Change Constitution to end Senate appointments

[The Senator]

From CNN:

First it was the uproar over the appointment by Illinois Gov. Roy Blagojevich of former state attorney general Roland Burris to fill President Barack Obama's remaining term in the Senate.

Then, New York Gov. David Paterson appointed Democratic Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to the Senate seat now vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — creating a political circus over why Caroline Kennedy was given the cold shoulder.

Now, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, says, enough is enough.

On Sunday, Feingold, said he plans to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end appointments to the Senate by governors. Feingold, who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, will advocate a special election instead.

“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," he said in a press release.

 

[Darthphere]

Even better, if you have a seat, and run for election for something else, you automatically lose that seat and can't be elected to that seat.

Example, Biden became Obama's running mate, but he still won his Senate seat as well. Under my plan, you can only run as Obama's running mate, and cannot be elected to the Senate. It's my "No Double Dipping" plan. The perfect addendum to Feingold's plan.

 

[rdh007]

So you'd want John McCain out on the street?

 

[Kelly]

Even better, if you have a seat, and run for election for something else, you automatically lose that seat and can't be elected to that seat.

Example, Biden became Obama's running mate, but he still won his Senate seat as well. Under my plan, you can only run as Obama's running mate, and cannot be elected to the Senate. It's my "No Double Dipping" plan. The perfect addendum to Feingold's plan.

His is fine without yours....


I've always thought that these appoints were totally against what our Republic is all about. The people should have this vote, like any other.

 

[redfirebird2008]

So you'd want John McCain out on the street?

With his $100 million wife and 15 houses? Sure.

 

[Kelly]

No, I would not want him out. He will be a strong advocate if we want ANYthing done with both Democrats and Republicans. I'm fine that he is still a Senator. He makes a better Senator than President.

 

[Matt]

I'd be fine with Russ' plan if it included Congressional term limits as well. You know, since appointments are so very much in contradiction to a democracy, aren't politicians who can use their office to ensure continued re-election also agaisnt the nature of a democracy? Of course if that were added, I imagine that would be shot down pretty quickly. Hell, Feingold probably won't even vote for it.

 

[Kelly]

Yeah, that would be nice, but it will never happen.

 

[The Senator]

I'd be fine with Russ' plan if it included Congressional term limits as well. You know, since appointments are so very much in contradiction to a democracy, aren't politicians who can use their office to ensure continued re-election also agaisnt the nature of a democracy? Of course if that were added, I imagine that would be shot down pretty quickly. Hell, Feingold probably won't even vote for it.

I would agree with you if politicians weren't defeated constantly in every single Congressional election.

 

[Matt]

Regardless of recent big named incumbent defeats, it doesn't change the fact that we have over a 90 % retention rate within the US congress on average over the past 30 years.

 

[Kelly]

Regardless of recent big named incumbent defeats, it doesn't change the fact that we have over a 90 % retention rate within the US congress on average over the past 30 years.

It amazes me that the American public in ALL POLLS have the Congress at a 25% or less approval rating, for the past year, but can't figure out that their representative IS part of that legislative body....

 

[The Senator]

Regardless of recent big named incumbent defeats, it doesn't change the fact that we have over a 90 % retention rate within the US congress on average over the past 30 years.

But why does that matter? If the American people want to keep their representatives in office, then they will vote to do so; if not, then they will vote to kick them out. We have seen this happen multiple times in the past few years. Even big name, dynastic politicians such as Gordon Smith, Elizabeth Dole and Lincoln Chafee lost in their bids for re-election. And, if a state leans one way politically, there are often politicians who end up losing their primaries. That happened to Albert Wynn and Wayne Gilchrest in Maryland and Cynthia McKinney in Georgia.

The process works as it is, and I do not see a pressing need to eliminate term limits altogether.

 

[Matt]

With a 90 % retention rate, I respectfully disagree. Are you against presidential term limits Jman?

 

[The Senator]

With a 90 % retention rate, I respectfully disagree. Are you against presidential term limits Jman?

Yes, I am, actually. The reason why we have presidential term limits was politically motivated in the first place, and the American people would ensure that someone who is wildly unpopular wouldn't be in a position to run for a third term to begin with.

 

[Matt]

I disagree again. Bush's approval rating around November 2004 was just north of 40 %. He won re-election. The sheer advantage of already being in the office can at times be too great for an opponent to overcome.

 

[The Senator]

No president has been re-elected with an approval rating below 45%... and I am willing to guarantee that no president would have won his primary, let alone the presidency, with an approval rating lower than 30%...

 

[Metamorpho1977]

Constitutionally, the only office up for voting is the House of Representatives. The Senate seats are supposed to be appointed by the Governor of the state that the senator comes from. But, the Constitution is a dead document, so I don't know where we go from there.

 

[Kelly]

Constitutionally, the only office up for voting is the House of Representatives. The Senate seats are supposed to be appointed by the Governor of the state that the senator comes from. But, the Constitution is a dead document, so I don't know where we go from there.

 

[Handsome Rob]

How about "let's not rush to change the Constitution because of a single incident?" Changes to the Constitution should only be made after extraordinary caution and deliberation are exercised, not on the whim of the latest political scandal. As for Caroline Kennedy, the only reason this is in the light is because of her last name--she should definitely not be used, ya know, as . . . uhhhhh . . . a basis, ya know, for amending the uhhhhh . . . uhhhh . . . uhhhh . . . Constitution.


Ya know?

 

[The Senator]

I believe that the people should decide who gets to fill a senate vacancy. House seats go up for a special election; why shouldn't senate seats?

 

[SuperFerret]

I agree that Senators should be elected, and am somewhat surprised that they're not.

How about "let's not rush to change the Constitution because of a single incident?" Changes to the Constitution should only be made after extraordinary caution and deliberation are exercised, not on the whim of the latest political scandal. As for Caroline Kennedy, the only reason this is in the light is because of her last name--she should definitely not be used, ya know, as . . . uhhhhh . . . a basis, ya know, for amending the uhhhhh . . . uhhhh . . . uhhhh . . . Constitution.


Ya know?

Jeff Goldblum?

 

[hippie_hunter]

I find term limits to be undemocratic. If the people want a specific person to continue serving them, and if the politician wants to continue serving, then there should be no problem. It's undemocratic to restrict a law abiding person from office and it's undemocratic to not follow the desires of the people. After all, isn't democracy about listening to the will of the people?

 

[Marx]

With a 90 % retention rate, I respectfully disagree. Are you against presidential term limits Jman?

*waves hand in front of Matt in jedi mind trick manner*

There is no Jman here...only Senator.

Spoiler

Actually, that reminds me more of Signorney Weaver in Ghostbusters. 'There is no Dana, only Zule'.

 

[Handsome Rob]

Jeff Goldblum?

Well-played!

 

[Marx]

I believe that the people should decide who gets to fill a senate vacancy. House seats go up for a special election; why shouldn't senate seats?

I agree.