Constitutional Crisis: Crisis Averted?

Drat. A smarty pants from UNLV (take that Reno) UNLVStud (which I assume refers to a state of matriculation rather than arousal) went over to the House of Representatives site and found Gibbons' bio which states that he resigned on Dec. 31, 2006, and was not, in fact a member of Congress during at least some of his swearings in.

So, although there are lots of reasons for not thinking so, Jim Gibbons appears to be the legal Governor of Nevada--assuming that letter of resignation really does exist.

However, if the Munro dis-appointment goofiness weren't moot at this point, the question of when the Gibster's resignation actually took place could be pertinent to that. You see, Gibbons started his first swearing in before midnight of January 1st. If he was still a member of Congress up until Midnight, he wouldn't have been able to beat the Midnight deadline at which Munro's appointment went into effect.

Well, it was fun while it lasted. I suggest we

1. all study up on recall procedures,
2. work to scare up a really good candidate and the money for a really good campaign to beat Gibbons in 2010,
3. or, sit back and watch the self-emasculation of the GIbbons' Gubernatorial reign.

Frankly, if you agree that Gibbons is America's Worst Governor, I'd think real hard on number 2 cuz an incumbent Gube is going to be really hard to beat. Remember, Sig's still out there, like a shark, waiting for his next election/meal.

Excellent catch, UNLVStud.

[UPDATE: Gibbons resignation letter:

             RESIGNATION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following 
resignation from the House of Representatives:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, December 4, 2006.
     Hon. Dennis Hastert,
     Speaker, House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Speaker: On November 7, 2006, I received the great 
     privilege of being elected Governor of the State of Nevada. 
     Although Dean Heller was elected and will succeed me as the 
     representative of the Second Congressional District of 
     Nevada, under Nevada law I must formally resign my 
     Congressional office prior to taking office as Governor. I 
     have advised the current Governor of the State of Nevada of 
     such resignation and hereby inform you of my formal 
     resignation as the representative of the Second Congressional 
     District of Nevada to be effective at the close of business 
     on December 31, 2006.
       It has been an honor and pleasure representing the Great 
     State of Nevada in Congress over the past 10 years, and I 
     look forward to continuing that service as Governor.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Jim gibbons,
     Member of Congress.
                                  ____

                                                 December 4, 2006.
     Hon. Kenny Guinn,
     Governor, State of Nevada,
     Carson, City, NV.
       Dear Governor Guinn: On November 7, 2006, I received the 
     great privilege of being

[[Page H9082]]

     elected Governor of the State of Nevada. As you may be aware, 
     under Nevada law I must formally resign my Congressional 
     office prior to taking office as Governor. I have advised the 
     Speaker of the House of such resignation and hereby inform 
     you of my formal resignation as the representative of the 2nd 
     Congressional District of Nevada to be effective at the close 
     of business on December 31, 2006.
       It has been an honor and pleasure representing the Great 
     State of Nevada in Congress over the past 10 years, and I 
     look forward to continuing that service as Governor.
           Sincerely,
     Jim Gibbons.

Double Drat.

For the record, Gleaner spotted it first, but typepad's giving him problems. Why it's working for me, dunno.

Comments

[What?!]

Good catch UNLVStud! Now will you contact Berkely's office and get a copy of his resignation letter, that heretofore has apparently never been reported?

Trust but verify.

[texex]

Well it was great fun while it lasted! So on to the next caper now.

[pokerprof]

That 'next caper' will be the FBI investagation of Jimbo I would presume.

Let the wild speculation begin :-)

[Not Bob]

The crisis is all to real; check out today's Washington Wire in the WSJ (sub req).

[texex]

YESSS! Come, Watson, there's crime afoot!

[texex]

New gibber caper reported over on the gleaner. FBI this time,

[upnorth]

Isn't it dated after he was sworn in?

[What?!]

Is there a parlamentarian out there? Gibbons resigned effective th "close of business of December 31, 2006" after the House adjourned sine die on December 8, 2006....can this be?