Should Gabrielle Giffords resign her Congressional seat?

[The Brain]

No, she should be given every chance and as much time as possible to recover.

I think it's important to a democratic system that every opportunity to thwart the ambitions of an assassin should be taken;

Including voodoo?

[Malthus]

Yes - she can't represent her constituents and in all likelihood, won't be able to in the near future.

[Admiral Yi]

Yes - she can't represent her constituents and in all likelihood, won't be able to in the near future.

If she can understand what she's voting on and she can push a button she can represent her constituents.

[Malthus]

Yes - she can't represent her constituents and in all likelihood, won't be able to in the near future.

If she can understand what she's voting on and she can push a button she can represent her constituents.

I don't agree. There is more to a congresscritter's job than pushing a "yes" or "no" button to voting on bills. In this case, she can't communicate with her constituents, can't negotiate, can't debate over legislation, in fact can't communicate at all with any but her intimates,  so her constituents are being short-changed.

[Strix]

Yes - she can't represent her constituents and in all likelihood, won't be able to in the near future.

If she can understand what she's voting on and she can push a button she can represent her constituents.

I don't agree. There is more to a congresscritter's job than pushing a "yes" or "no" button to voting on bills. In this case, she can't communicate with her constituents, can't negotiate, can't debate over legislation, in fact can't communicate at all with any but her intimates,  so her constituents are being short-changed.

They let Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms stay under those same parameters. 

[dps]

Yes - she can't represent her constituents and in all likelihood, won't be able to in the near future.

If she can understand what she's voting on and she can push a button she can represent her constituents.

I don't agree. There is more to a congresscritter's job than pushing a "yes" or "no" button to voting on bills. In this case, she can't communicate with her constituents, can't negotiate, can't debate over legislation, in fact can't communicate at all with any but her intimates,  so her constituents are being short-changed.

I can't really disagree with that, and i also think that DGuller is correct that there would be more pressure on her to resign if it weren't for the way her injuries occurred.

We have a Constitutional procedure whereby if the President is alive but incapacitated, the Vice-President can become Acting President, but nothing that covers the incapacitation of a member of Congress.  There's not way to appoint an "Acting Representative" for her district.

While I would say that it would probably be best for her to resign, I wouldn't be prepared to tell her that myself, so I can't expect anyone else, like members of her staff, to do it.

[CountDeMoney]

Her words are back more and more now, but she's still using facial expressions as a way to express. Pointing. Gesturing. Add it all together, and she's able to express the basics of what she wants or needs. But, when it comes to a bigger and more complex thought that requires words, that's where she's had the trouble."

Not unlike most Teabagging GOP House members.  So I don't see what the problem is.

[Weijun]

Charles Sumner left his senate seat vacant for three years, so there is precedent in not resigning.  That said, Giffords does not particularly symbolize any causes, so the Dems would probably be better off with someone who casts votes.

Tucson is fairly liberal, as far as Arizona goes.  Even when they elect a Republican, he tends to be moderate (e.g. Gifford's predecessor, Jim Kolbe).

[Razgovory]

I think Arizona law requires a special election to replace a vacancy.  By the time they get that set up, it'll almost be time to have the ordinary election.  Probably not worth the effort.

[The Brain]

Aren't all Arizona elections special?

[DGuller]

Aren't all Arizona elections special?

[Octavian]

No, she should be given every chance and as much time as possible to recover.

I think it's important to a democratic system that every opportunity to thwart the ambitions of an assassin should be taken;

Including voodoo?

Now go do... that voodoo... that YOU do... SOOOO WELLLLLL!

[garbon]

No, she should be given every chance and as much time as possible to recover.

I think it's important to a democratic system that every opportunity to thwart the ambitions of an assassin should be taken;

Including voodoo?

Now go do... that voodoo... that YOU do... SOOOO WELLLLLL!

You have the ability to remember song lyrics. Congratulations.

[Iormlund]

We have a Constitutional procedure whereby if the President is alive but incapacitated, the Vice-President can become Acting President, but nothing that covers the incapacitation of a member of Congress.  There's not way to appoint an "Acting Representative" for her district.

Wouldn't this be a good moment to provide such a way?

[Razgovory]

We have a Constitutional procedure whereby if the President is alive but incapacitated, the Vice-President can become Acting President, but nothing that covers the incapacitation of a member of Congress.  There's not way to appoint an "Acting Representative" for her district.

Wouldn't this be a good moment to provide such a way?

You mean change the Constitution?  That's kind of expensive and it takes a long time.  Not to mention it isn't easy (you'd probably have some kind of bizarre GOP conspiracy theory about how this is somehow a plot to take away guns or set up death panels or have the UN take over).