The Saxbe Fix for Hillary?

[Anonymous]

This article made me laugh out loud this morning - particularly Robert Byrd's quotation.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/11/19/hillary_clintons_fix.html

BTW, I don't think this (HRC to Sec State position which pays a wee bit more) is the situation the founding fathers were trying to prevent, but it could be a thorny issue.

[Anonymous]

So will Obama get around that the same way Nixon did? Reduce the Sec. State's salary?

[Anonymous]

The point here lies not in whether or not questionable means can be implemented to circumvent the Constitution, for that most certainly will be done. The point of this whole matter is the oath of office that Hillary Rodham Clinton took when sworn into the Senate and the oath Obama will take when sworn in as president. They have sworn to "Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States of America". That Constitution has an emoluments clause (Article 1, Section 6) which they will be overlooking, in violation of their sworn oath. That leaves the door open for impeachment and resignation. What a note to start the new administration on. She should live up to her oath of office and refuse the nomination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The point here lies not in whether or not questionable means can be implemented to circumvent the Constitution, for that most certainly will be done. The point of this whole matter is the oath of office that Hillary Rodham Clinton took when sworn into the Senate and the oath Obama will take when sworn in as president. They have sworn to "Protect and Defend the Constitution of the United States of America". That Constitution has an emoluments clause (Article 1, Section 6) which they will be overlooking, in violation of their sworn oath. That leaves the door open for impeachment and resignation. What a note to start the new administration on. She should live up to her oath of office and refuse the nomination.

If the salary is lowered back down to the previous amount, then what is the dilemma for you? Do you not believe that the purpose of this clause is to prevent Congressmen from enriching themselves by raising salaries? And isn't this fixed by lowering the salary? I mean, it's great that you feel you already have your impeachment case ready. But seriously, do you think you have a prayer? Even among the most conservative Republicans?

[Anonymous]

Lloyd Bentsen faced the same issue when he went from the Senate to Treasury. It's not a big deal. I hardly think Obama and HRC are causing harm to the Constitution. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Conservative Republican here - I would rather have HRC than most any other of the Democrat options. Change the pay rate and let's move on... HRC certainly doesn't need the extra 20K or so a year.