From WND --
The constitutional quandary arises from a clause that forbids members of the Senate from being appointed to civil office, such as the secretary of state, if the "emoluments," or salary and benefits, of the office were increased during the senator's term.
The second clause of Article 1, Section 6, of the Constitution reads, "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office."
During Clinton's current term in the Senate, the salary for Cabinet officers was increased from $186,600 to $191,300. Since the salary is scheduled to again be raised in January 2009, not only Clinton but all sitting Senate members could be considered constitutionally ineligible to serve in Obama's Cabinet. More...
The article notes there are ways to get around this. When Tricky Dick appointed Senator William Saxbe in 1973, Nixon convinced the Senate to reduce Saxbe's salary below the amount it was when he voted to increase it 1969.
This maneuver is not strange to the Clintons - Bush #1 also did it for Bill Clinton by appointing Sen. Lloyd Bentsen to serve as his treasury secretary.
Where the hell is all this "change" from the old politics of D.C. we were promised?!?
Great question, Ralph. Sometimes, you do need an experienced Washington hand to "go along and get along" (paraphrasing an old saying). Still, Obama left the impression he was going to toss the bums out and start with all kinds of outsiders, a la Jimmy Carter.
ReplyDeleteI would never wish another Mr. Peanut on our country but so far barack has instituted no change.
ReplyDeleteHis administration is like "Clinton Lite." Anybody that voted for Obama because they wanted the change he promised - should feel lied too.
What many refused to understand was that Barack was and is a typical politician. His personable style and grass roots background put people at ease and they felt connected to him. This is what enabled him to tap into the averages persons disgust with the status quo in D.C. In their minds he became an mirage of what they want and desire. But we know a mirage is only a temporary vision. And it appears that is what we got.
McCain would have been more of an agent for change than Barack. Barack just wanted to be Prez!