Feingold: ‘Deal-making’ to replace Sen. Gregg ‘alarmingly undemocratic’
by Ron Brynaert
A top Democratic senator who is planning to introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would prevent governors from filling US Senate vacancies – after the controversy surrounding Gov. Blogojevich who was indicted for allegedly offering President Obama’s former seat to the highest bidder – had strong words to say about the latest open seat situation Tuesday.
In a statement congratulating Republican Senator Judd Gregg who was tapped by Obama to become his Secretary of Commerce, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) said that he was “well qualified” since “his service for several years as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State has given him a solid grounding on Commerce Department programs.”
“But the apparent behind-the-scenes deal-making that went on to determine who will fill Senator Gregg’s vacancy is alarmingly undemocratic,” Feingold said. “Once again, Americans will be represented in the Senate for nearly two years by someone they had no hand in electing.”
Feingold continued, “As the number of Senators appointed to their seats continues to rise, it’s increasingly clear that we need to fix this constitutional anachronism. It is time to pass a constitutional amendment to end appointments by governors and the political gamesmanship they encourage.”
Feingold’s amendment would “require special elections when a Senate seat is vacant, as the Constitution mandates for the House, and as my own state of Wisconsin already requires by statute.”
According to the latest Associated Press report, “Two sources involved in discussions about replacing New Hampshire GOP Sen. Judd Gregg say Gov. John Lynch will appoint Republican Bonnie Newman to replace Gregg.”
“The sources asked not to be identified because neither was authorized to speak before Lynch’s announcement,” the AP report continues. “President Obama is to nominate Gregg to be U.S. commerce secretary, but Gregg has said he would leave the Senate only if the balance of power there is maintained.”
