Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Good News, Bad News

There's good news and bad news from the U.S. Senate today. Both concern personnel decisions.

The good news is that the Senate finally confirmed Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor. Solis' nomination was being held up by a few Republicans, as Greg Sargent notes:

The GOPers on the Senate Labor Committee had previously been slowing Solis’ nomination, apparently because of questions about her position on labor’s priority, the Employee Free Choice Act. Yesterday, things got worse, with the committee canceling a session to consider Solis after the news broke about some tax troubles afflicting her husband.


Labor’s Opening Shot: Andy Stern Video Blasts GOP For Blocking Solis


Among other things, the EFCA would make it easier for workers to organize in their workplaces without intimidation or obstruction from their employers. So, congratulations, Secretary Solis.

In the bad news department, we have Senator Roland "What Shall I Write On My Giant Tombstone" Burris (D-IL). Apparently, even his fellow Illinois Senator has had enough:

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) just told reporters that he asked Roland Burris (in a very polite manner) to resign. And Burris said no.

"If I were in your shoes, I would consider resigning," Durbin said, reciting what he told Burris.

Durbin Asks Burris To Resign

I suspect a lot of things would be different if Dick Durbin were in Roland Burris' shoes, but it might be better not to go there. The bad news is, of course, that Burris has not yet decided to resign. I believe I remarked earlier that trying to shame Burris would be a waste of time. Yes, I did.

Meanwhile, it just gets better. Believe it or not, Sen. David "Huggies" Vitter (R-LA) has the same advice for Burris:

Senator David Vitter (R-LA), whose career became mired in controversy back in 2007 when he became implicated in the D.C. Madam prostitution ring, is now calling upon Roland Burris to resign.

Burris Told To Resign By...David Vitter

Vitter nearly earned himself a Hypocritical Wanker of the Day Award for his efforts, but on reflection I realized that his hypocrisy pales in comparison to the sheer, naked, polished hypocrisy that earned Rahm Emanuel his award. Emanuel, of course, proved his mettle by failing upwards into the White House. You're just going to have to work harder to run with the big dogs, Senator. But you do have potential.


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