Mullings: Secret Decoder Ring for 06/08/11

The Weiner Saga Ends

Rich Galen

Friday June 17, 2011

"� Weiner Presser ... ": Here's the New York Times' coverage of the very strange ending of the very strange Wiener saga yesterday.

"� 17th Amendment ... ": Here's the text of the 17th Amendment

AMENDMENT XVII
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.
Note: Article I, section 3, of the Constitution was modified by the 17th amendment.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

"� Kirsten Gillibrand ... ": Here's the Wikipedia entry for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

"� Why Gillibrand has to run again ... ": The Constitution set up three "classes" of Senators: Class I, Class II, and Class III so that the entire Senate wasn't re-elected on the same year. As states were added, their senators were put into one of two classes - so no state had both Senators up for election in the same year (except for special elections). A senate seat is a Class 1, Class II or Class III seat no matter when the current occupant was elected.

In even numbered years, about a third of the Senate is up for re-election, as opposed to the House where all 435 voting Members who choose to remain in office have to stand for election. In this way the Senate can be, as the Senate Historian once explained to me "a continuing body," unlike the House which begins anew every two years.

Hillary Clinton was elected to a Class I seat - a seat whose term ends on (or about) January 3, 2013. Thus, Gillibrand has to run for re-election next year.

Here's the link to the U.S Senate page showing all the Class I Senators.

"� Weiner's Official Website ... ": Here is the link to Anthony Weiners official website. It may not still be available by the time you read this.

Mullfoto of the Day

Wonder what this means?

Catchy Caption of the Day

Actual Caption:

This photo released Tuesday, June 14, 2011, by HeroBuilders.com, shows a doll in the likeness of Rep. Anthony Weiner being sold by the Oxford, Conn., company.
The online action figure company has jumped on the Weiner sexting scandal with a doll of the U.S. congressman in two versions: censored and uncensored. The 'standard' doll, shown, for $39.95 and the anatomically correct 'for adults only' version for an extra $10.

Is this a great country or what?

(AP Photo/HeroBuilders.com)

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