Fodder For Feingold?
Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) today used the dealmaking between Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Granite State Gov. John Lynch to renew his call for a constitutional amendment ending gubernatorial appointments to fill Senate seats.
Gregg and Lynch appear to have forged an agreement allowing Gregg to vacate his seat to lead the Commerce Department without changing the power balance in the Senate. Lynch, a Democrat, has indicated that he will appoint a placeholder to the seat -- former Gregg chief of staff J. Bonnie Newman is the likely successor -- who will not seek re-election. The job is up for grabs in 2010, and several state Democrats, including Reps. Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter, are already in pursuit.
Feingold is certainly backed by some powerful facts. Messy or tainted appointments have taken place this cycle in IL, NY, DE and now NH.
Here's Feingold's react to the informal Gregg/Lynch contract:
"I congratulate Senator Gregg on his nomination to be the next Secretary of Commerce. I served with Senator Gregg on the Budget Committee for many years and worked together with him to advocate several budget reforms. Moreover, his service for several years as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and State has given him a solid grounding in Commerce Department programs. He is well qualified for this position."But the apparent behind-the-scenes deal-making that went on to determine who will fill Senator Gregg's vacancy is alarmingly undemocratic. Once again, Americans will be represented in the Senate for nearly two years by someone they had no hand in electing. 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."
On the one hand, Lynch is cooperating with the wishes of the Democratic Obama administration -- so he's doing what was asked of him by his party's leader. But the backdoor negotiations with Gregg were, of course, done without voter input. And that's the crux of Feingold's point.
Feingold's amendment has been introduced in the Senate Judiciary Committee; the senator is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and is expected to hold a hearing soon on the amendment. The proposal is co-sponsored by Sens. Mark Begich (D-AK) and John McCain (R-AZ).
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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