Posted on 06/24/2011 6:53:04 PM PDT by Paul Kib
(CNN) -- In the months since the shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, reports about her condition have been sparse. We have learned of a follow-up surgery to repair her skull and that she was recently released from a rehabilitation hospital... ...Being a member of Congress, however, is also a job. More than that, it is a job that lies at the heart of our democracy. Although we all wish Giffords a swift and full recovery, we also wish the nearly 650,000 residents of her district to be represented in Congress. While her staff may still be in place, being assisted no doubt by other members of Congress, the staff cannot vote.
...Should the media and the public be so reluctant to demand more information? The Arizona Democrat is not just a private citizen; she is a sitting member of Congress. Do Giffords' responsibilities demand a more searching inquiry into her health? No one is asking this question because it seems moot...
...In reality, the congresswoman is not carrying out any of these responsibilities. Even from the limited information that has been made available, we know that for the near term Giffords cannot carry out her committee assignments, debate on the floor of the House, and, most importantly cast a vote. The result is that for all intents and purposes, the gunman's bullet that so severely injured Giffords also silenced the people of Arizona's 8th Congressional District. Isn't the obvious solution for her to resign and allow Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to call a special election to fill her seat?...
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
To tell the truth, I expected the Dems to arrange to have her vote whatever way they wanted in absentia. Evidently that isn’t working out for some reason.
I looked up the writer, and he appears to be a liberal.
Here’s his web page at Youngstown:
http://class.ysu.edu/~polisci/sracic.html
Like Scott Brown (RINO that he is) taking “Ted Kennedy’s”seat?
Remember that she’s a democrat and doing whatever Nanny Pelosi tells you to do does not require much so if she stays, nobody will notice.
Who cares about her district anyway, the important part is that the seat stays democrat, right?
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Exactly, she can't vote anyway, so let her keep the seat.
DId you nod off when Giffords was shot? There was a full week (or more) of media and political blather about the “contentious dialogue” in the country being the cause of the shooting.
Palin’s name was brought up more than once.
Oh, that’s just cruel and heartless. I mean, Patsy Mink served in the House while dead. Ted Kennedy served while he was nearly dead. And Robert Byrd? Might have been out of it long before the end came.
To say a Democrat can’t serve with a hole in their head is just mean-spirited and hateful. I mean, some Democrats actually do better when near death than they do when they’re functional.
Giffords is in the HOUSE. Palin would have to move to the 8th District which is Tucson. Sheesh!! (Do some research before you post.)
:-)
Doesn't work that way. Congressman can't vote by proxy, they have to be there in person, no matter what condition they are in. Senator Claire Eagle of California was terminally ill with brain cancer and couldn't speak hen he was wheeled from the hospital to appear in the Senate chamber and cast a tie-breaking vote for closure on the 1964 civil rights act.
Forgive me, I forgot Tim Johnson of North Dakota who was re-elected despite a stroke than left him nearly brain-dead. Of course, Johnson is a Democrat.
vaudine
Did I really need to include the /SARC tag?
Of course she should be allowed to "serve" out her term,especially if no American citizen of good sense is available or likely to run.
What, if anything, does the Constitution say regarding the inability of a member of Congress to fulfill their sworn obligations due to incapacitation?
The media has built this woman and her husband to the level of sainthood.
I never understood what was up from day 1 when her Dad declared the shooter must have been a Tea party member. The MSM hung on to that and had daily updates on her progress, completely ignoring the others killed or hurt during the melee.
I think they can also agree to pair off with a Republican. But as you say, if necessary, they can wheel someone in and pretend to cast their vote.
Giffords is in the HOUSE. Palin would have to move to the 8th District which is Tucson. Sheesh!! (Do some research before you post.)” ====
So? That’s no step for a stepper. Sheesh!
Giffords will run for and win the next U.S. Senate seat.
Geezus.
Give the girl a chance.
I’m rooting for you Gabby!
You go Girl!
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