I didn't really think I'd ever say it, but I agree with Senator Diane Feinstein today... twice!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/06/burris/index.html

Outgoing Senate Rules Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein said Tuesday she disagrees with her Democratic leadership's move to block Roland Burris from being seated in the U.S. Senate.

"The question is really one, in my view, of law," Feinstein told reporters in a Capitol hallway.

"Does the governor have the power, under law, to make the appointment? And the answer is yes. Is the governor discredited? The answer is yes. Does that affect his appointment power? The answer is no, until certain things happen" she said.

That seems true, mostly. My understanding is that Burris presented his credentials that had the signature of the governor of Illinois, but not the signature of the Secretary of State. In that case I don't think the Senate can accept the credentials... but it would seem that the Secretary of State has improperly withheld his signature.

I agree that it would seem that Governor Blagojevich should not appoint a senator--and in the interest of Illinois and the U.S. Senate, Blagojevich should have refrained. At the same time, however, I'm not aware of any Illinois law that would prevent Blagojevich from appointing a senator.

It seems that Burris' lawyer should probably sue the Secretary of State of Illinois to compel him to sign Burris' credentials. And the U.S. Senate would then be required by law to seat Burris.

And then there was: http://www.upi.com/news/issueoftheday/2009/01/06/Obamas_Panetta_pick_bodes_ill_for_CIA/UPI-97421231256244/

Obama has outraged powerful Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., by picking Panetta. Feinstein has already warned she is angry that she was not consulted about the selection and believes Panetta lacks the experience to do the job.

As I commented yesterday, Panetta's lack of experience does seem to make him an odd pick to lead the CIA.

So there you have it... I agree with Feinstein twice today. Should I be worried??

Next-Day Update on 1/7/2009: It was, of course, too much. Feinsten has now backpedaled on her resistance to Panetta as director of the CIA . Oh well. I agreed with Feinstein twice in a day... for one day.