(CNSNews.com) - There is “no legal reason not to seat” Illinois’ Roland Burris to the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, Maryland’s former lieutenant governor, Michael Steele, told CNSNews.com on Monday.
Steele made his comments following a debate at the National Press Club among the six candidates vying for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
Burris was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is under investigation for allegedly trying to “sell” the Senate appointment in exchange for campaign contributions and other favors.
There are no allegations of wrongdoing against Burris who was, nonetheless, not allowed to be sworn into the U.S. Senate because of objections by Democratic leaders.
“The bottom line is the issue’s not with him. It’s with the governor. So, legally and otherwise he’s, you know, it’s good,” said Steele. “Now, the Democrats have got their hands full, because they can seat him or not seat him, and the reality of it for them is there’s no legal reason not to seat him. He’s qualified. He’s dually presented by the sitting governor.”
Steele said that Blagojevich has the upper hand in the conflict.
“There’s only been allegation charges. There’s been no indictment,” said Steele, “so Blagojevich, as I’ve said before, has the upper hand here. He’s outplayed and outmaneuvered them, and now they’ve got to deal with it.
“So, now I know they are trying to get members of the (Congressional) Black Caucus to come out and disparage Attorney General Burris, which I think is wrongheaded, and shame on them if they do. But the reality of it is they have to deal with the man who was legitimately selected,” he added.
Current RNC Chair Mike Duncan, who is running for re-election, said there should be a special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat.
“I think that the people of Illinois should have the opportunity to elect a senator who is not tainted, and I have publicly called for a special election, and I hope that Senator Durbin and others go back and revisit their original statements and join in saying to the people of Illinois that we’ve got to get beyond this and have a special election,” said Duncan.
South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson said whether Burris should be confirmed or not is “going to be a process question.”
“The Illinois Republican Party is doing a very good job of explaining what goes on legitimately there, and I think the process will work,” said Dawson. “Do I think the party needs to get involved in whether he’s seated or not? No. I don’t.
“I think there’s a process in place, and we’ll make sure that the courts and everybody involved will follow the process. And this is a difference in the debate: the Illinois Republican Party is a well-organized machine, and I think you’ll watch them – that is their job and not our national party’s job,” Dawson added.