Assuming that the Abramoff scandal leads to resignations & convictions...

[paulthompson]

How would that directly affect the balance of the House and Senate? If a Congressperson has to step down, the governor of that state makes an interim appointment, no? So in how many cases would a Democratic governor be able to replace a Republican with a Democrat, or vise versa?

Perhaps someone politically savvy can figure this out using this list:

http://www.thinkprogress.org/abramoff

Is it possible for the Dems to make major gains on the Reps before the 2006 elections, due to the Abramoff scandal alone? Or, failing that, which of the politicans listed above might be particularly vulnerable to lose their seats in 2006?

[arcos]

1. Only Senators can be appointed by Governors in case of a vacancy...

In case of vacacancies in the House, a special election would probably be called, although it would depend on how close resignations are to the November elections.

[Catrina]

3. What happened to Duke Cunningham's seat

He is going to jail, so did they have a special election or has he been replaced? That might tell us what will happen when, eg, Bob Ney has to step down, or Burns maybe.

[sleipnir]

7. Special Election.

It's coming up soon, I believe...

[Cleita]

2. If it turns out to be a really big wholesale scandal, is there any

provision for holding special elections? It seems that they would be in order if many members needed to be replaced.

[stevedeshazer]

4. I don't think we have enough info to make an informed judgment yet

In the Senate, it would seem that Conrad Burns of Montana is in trouble, and that could be good for the Democrats, as Montana has been trending more Democratic since the election of Gov. Schweitzer. It's hard to be specific beyond that, but surely Tom DeLay is history, regardless how much more far-reaching this may be or not.

As to congressional replacements in lieu of resignation, not all states are the same. That makes things a lot murkier. Some require special elections. Others have their state legislatures choose. Yes, sometimes governors choose. Before one can judge whether it will affect the balance, he must know more particulars.

It's sure an interesting question. I believe only those most heavily involved will have problems legally. I think ALL of those invloved will have problems politically.

That's my short take.

[paulthompson]

6. Thanks

I did not know that.

Another question would be: how many of the Abramoff tainted senators are up for reelection in 2006?

[woodsprite]

5. Would the emergency powers ruling kick in. I'm sure I don't

have the name right, but it's where they passed some kind of ruling that if for some reason a majority of Congress can't make it to their respective places, that they could run with who they have left. Does it specifically rule out scandalous, ridden-out-on-a-rail Congressmen/women as being an emergency - or is the "emergency" up for interpretation?

[Orangepeel]

8. It depends on the state

usually, the governor appoints a replacement for a senator. Representative are replaced by a special election if there is more than a certain amount of time left in the term or the seat is just left empty until the next regular election if there is less than that amount of time.

In Florida, I believe that there is a special election if there is more than a year left in the term.