Durbin says 'fluid' situation led to policy changes
The day Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on charges of allegedly trying to sell an appointment to the Senate for personal gain, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin called for a special election to fill the seat.
"No appointment by this Governor could produce a credible replacement," the Springfield Democrat said at the time.
The next day, he backed off calls for a special election and penned a letter to the governor saying any future appointee would be rejected.
When Blagojevich defiantly appointed Roland Burris on Dec. 30, Durbin then said the former statewide officeholder wouldn't be seated.
"Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus," Durbin and other Senate Democrats wrote in a letter at the time.
And over the ensuing weeks, the flip flops have only continued.
Last week, Senate leaders appeared ready to accept Burris until Friday, when a state Supreme Court ruled that Secretary of State Jesse White's signature was not required on certification documents. In a news conference following the ruling, Durbin said Burris still shouldn't be seated. Then, on Sunday, he reversed course,saying it might be possible after all.
Monday came, and Durbin was in favor of seating Burris, though little had changed to change the legitimacy of Blagojevich's pick.
The back and forth has left the public confused about where Durbin and other Democrats stand on the controversial appointment. It has also left the door open for criticism from Republicans hoping to gain an edge after years out of power in the state.
"I think his leadership has been a terrible disappointment," said Illinois Republican Chairman Andy McKenna of Durbin.
But Durbin defends his evolving positions by pointing out how fluid and unprecedented the Burris appointment has been at a time of significant challenges for lawmakers - the nation is said to be teetering on the brink of economic collapse - and as the nation readies for the presidency of Barack Obama.
"It has been one of the most frustrating things I have been through," Durbin said Monday after conceding Burris would be seated. "None of us want to give credence to any action by Gov. Blagojevich concerning this vacancy."
Durbin said at first he was steadfastly opposed to an appointment, but once Burris was named, the debate became about the appointee and not Blagojevich.
"I felt duty bound to be fair to Burris," Durbin said.
That left the appointment up to procedural points - such as the White signature - and whether Burris and Blagojevich where involved in any quid-pro-quo, Durbin said.
Burris testified last week before House lawmakers that he made no deals with the governor. And Burris obtained a signature from White that authenticates Blagojevich's signature on the appointment letter.
White still refuses to sign the actual appointment letter.
Durbin said Monday the appointment decision he made was not about the governor, but about Burris.
"People said, 'Don't you have to judge this man on his own merits?' " Durbin said. "Obviously they were right."