Ney stays on?

[SHRED]

Can someone explain why he is allowed to stay?
I know the rules but what about the Repubs claiming, "party of responsibility"?

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"After learning that Mr. Ney would not step down immediately and would continue to draw his $165,200-a-year salary, Speaker J. Dennis Hastert and other Republican leaders said they would move to expel him as soon as Congress returns next month for a postelection session."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/14/us/politics/14ney.html?_r=1&hp&ex=1160798400&en=ab5f8c8551fb1197&ei=5094&partner=homepage&oref=slogin

[electron_blue]

1. If he is expelled, do they get to keep the seat Republican and choose the

successor, thus avoid an election?

[SHRED]

2. that is what appears...good question

[rodeodance]

6. drats , this article does not address your burning question!

..... Mark H. Tuohey, a lawyer for Mr. Ney, said during the hearing, at the Federal District Court in Washington, that the congressman would resign “in the next few weeks” but wanted to remain for now “to make sure his staff is taken care of” and to deal with constituent issues.

Congressional rules do not require the immediate departure of a member convicted of a crime. So unless his House colleagues act to expel him, Mr. Ney, who announced in August that he would not seek re-election, could choose to serve until his term ends in early January.

[SHRED]

7. yes but...

...won't the elections sort this out.

For some reason I had a brain fart about that.

[electron_blue]

12. I didn't know if he was up for reelection or not, duh

[charlyvi]

4. Doesn't the governor choose the replacement?

If so, Strickland (a Democrat) is ahead in the polls. Way ahead.

[ISUGRADIA]

11. No, governors may or may not appoint Senators under state

law. House seats are always filled by election. In this case, if he resigns or is expelled in November the seat wil be filled by the winner of the November General election.

[cmd]

14. Not quite true

We would have to have a special election to fill the vacancy. The winner of the November election will not take office until January.

[ISUGRADIA]

16. It's up to the governor to decide to call a special

election or not, he has the option. Let's say Ney resigns now. It's too late legally to have this election added to the November ballot. A special election would have to be called. It's VERY unlikely for Taft to call an election (costing $500,000) for someone who would serve maybe a month and likely never during an active session of Congress.

An example: Menendezs seat in NJ has been vacant since January (which I do not understand but is apparently legal).

[SHRED]

5. on second thought

The election happens no matter what.
He said he won't seek re-election.

I can't imagine a Repub winning in that District this time around.

[bluedogyellowdog]

9. If he's expelled, there will still be an election this November

Expulsion or not, House races are always every 2 years, and Ney is retiring.
http://www.politics1.com/oh.htm

Democrat Zachary Space is running ahead in the polls to replace Ney. Ney's refusing to step down only makes it more likely the seat will go Dem - it ensures voters will be casting a referendum on Ney even though he's retiring. Plus it puts the repugs on the spot if he insists on staying on during the lame duck session from the election 'til the new Congress is sworn in. They'll be forced to expel him and have egg on their face - or not expel him, and have egg on their face. I'm laughing in their faces either way. The hits just keep on coming. Ney, Foley, DeLay, Cunningham, Allen, Kolbe...

I am enjoying this. I'd enjoy it even more if Bush and Cheney were prosecuted, but all these congressmen going down is good stuff anyhow. Crime does not pay. Repugs need to learn this, the hard way.

[ISUGRADIA]

10. No, the seat is vacant until filled by election

which in this case will be in November.

[annabanana]

3. He says he needs his paycheck...

(don't we all?)

[seafan]

8. Heard on Al Franken show yesterday that Ney was trying to

acquire new (highly paid and wonderful) job placements for his staff before he leaves his position.

(But, why would anyone want to have a recommendation for a job from a felon? The logic of this escapes me.)

[cmd]

13. In Ohio the Governor is supposed to call a special election

which will cost about 500,000 dollars to fill the seat until January. If the vacancy is close to the end of a term, he may choose to leave the seat vacant. We just paid 500,000 to put a replacement candidate of the ballot. We're three weeks away from the general election. I don't relish the thought of gearing up for another special election even though I will be without representation for two months. When I think about it, I've been without representation the entire time Ney was in office. It won't make a bit of difference to me if he is not replaced.

No matter what happens, the people will pay. We will be paying Ney until he resigns or is kicked out. Then we will have to pay his retirement. We may also have to foot the bill for another election. Let Ney stay around until after the election. He makes great target practice. Then get him out and leave the office vacant until January when Zack Space will take over.

[AtomicKitten]

15. I've seen news crawlers declaring the Rs intend to

oust Ney when Congress convenes. Whatevah.