Roland Burris v Senate: Showdown live

Makes as much sense as Rollie in the senate: http://www.overstream.net/view.php?oid=n5atlkneaomo

He should be seated and they should stop playing ploitics with this seat. The gpv is still the gov. so move on. all of these selh appointed goody two shoes are not without sin . burris has done nothing but except an appointment.

I only hope that Mr. Burris will be legally able to serve as senator from Illinois. I had the privilege of working with Mr. Burris and his staff when he was the treasurer for the State of Illinois and found both Mr. Burris and his staff to be very pleasant and competent. My very best to Mr. Burris in his new endeavour.

Who goes to a job that you have not been hired for?
Who pays for your transportation to a job that you have not been highered for?

The situation with Burris has become ridiculous. Blagojevich has legally appointed Burris to the seat vacated by President-Elect Obama. While I deplore the choice, it would seem that we must all live with it. What I'm having the most difficulty with is Burris' stubborn attitude. If he is truly a public servant with the best interests of the people of Illinois at heart, why does he continue to push and protest his way into the Senate? If none of the other Democrats want him there, what good can he really do us? He is making a mockery of his career - is this really how he wants to be remembered?

Does anyone know if Harry Reid was wearing his Klan suit?

It is just as I have always known. The Senate is a bunch of children trying to play grown up! Do they actually know how childish and incompetent they appear? This kind of action really makes a person lose faith in the American political system. Senator Burris has done nothing wrong and should not be treated as if he did. He should be seated as a full fledged Senator and that should be the end of this travisty as far as the Senate is concerned. Let Illinois handle the problem with Blago. Burris had nothing to do with the scandle currently facing the Illinois Governor's office.

Roland Burris' appointment is not legitimate. The people of IL deserve a senator that will actually DO something when in office. He hasn't done a thing, excpet carve his tombstone, since entering politics. Any intelligent person knows that Roland Burris is not the best choice, or the most qualified choice, but the only choice Blago had given the mess he created. If the process was at all legitimate, many more qualified candidates would be considered and dicussed. All Burris is doing is making more of a fool out of himself and making IL more of a laughing stock.

In regards to the Illinois Sec. of State's willful refusal to sign the certificate certifying Mr. Burris to the US Senate, it sounds like a clear and obvious case of insubordination to me. After all, the current sitting Gov. does have every legal right and the authority to appoint the well qualified Mr. Burris to the US Senate. The law makes no provisions to usurp the Gov.'s authority because some one feels that "the appointment is tainted'.

Subject: Roland Burris

What Ever Happened to Humility?

IF Mr. Burris Had Said I Still Would Like to be Considered for The " Senate Seat" but Not Under These Circumstances I Might Have Felt Compelled to See His Point of View....I am a Dissabled Vet and I'm Worried About lossing my Job and I Think America Should Be Focused on This Issue First and Formost....

He shouldn't have been seated. Why does burry persist in this sham? What a disgrace to Illinois and its citizens!

If The Swamp can't or won't monitor it's own blog to post comments in a timely manner and can't or won't use an auto-censor - buh bye.

What's the big deal?

Illinois only had ONE senator representing us the last four years and we still have only one !!!

And the BIG deal about Burris being the only black in the Senate.....what's the difference there?

Black or White or Brown....they're all ego driven crooks!!!

And the one we have has many major flaws.

So again ...what's the big deal?

This entire episode of the American political process is costing us all money at a time when we have less than what we need. People need jobs, Burris doesn't.

He has been subpeoned to the impeachment hearings for tomorrow, let's see if he shows up...let's see how he feels about do process...

And why shouldn't we wonder what Burris paid for this seat?

I am surprised at myself for the emotional reaction I just had at seeing US Senator Burris being turned away from the Senate chambers. If it were not for Roland Burris and other black leaders in history, there would be no Barack Obama in the White House. Maybe my tears were caused by my earliest memories. I watched black people turned away from the polls with fire houses on television. I remember images of black children going into a school with the national guard protecting them. I don't believe Burris was turned away because of his race. I believe it is because the Democratic caucus, like the media, were played like a piano by Patrick Fitzgerald and prematurely stated they would not accept any appointment by our Governor. Now they feel they will lose face if they do a 180 degree turn. I call what White and the Senate are doing, acts of civil disobedience for which they should face consequences. Gloria Maloney, Roscoe, Il.

" their motivation is clearly political, not legal."

This is a sad day for our country!

Will this Congress get anything accomplished during the new session?

I am a Republican and am no fan of Blagojevich or Burris. But isn't Blagojevich still our governor? This was his appointee.

The democrats have no one to blame except themselves for this mess. Mr. Burris is our senator. The governor stated he would sign legislation that changes the method for replacing a senator in Illinois. The democrats decided they wanted a democrat in the seat. Bad move, this seat will go to a republican in 2010!! If the governor did not appoint a person, this would be grounds for removal.

Roland Burris has sold his soul trying to get a position he could not get in an election. He is dispicable for playing the RACE card, he's no more than a pawn in Blagojevich's game. If Senate Democrats sell their vote for the race card they are no better than Blagojevich who sells his favors for money.

This guy is embarrasing himself as well as the state.

Harry Reid is a racist swine and should be expelled from the Senate.

IL politicians.. What an embarrassment.

This is a no win situation for the Democrats.

As I used to say to Fat Albert and the gang, NC--no class.

When I leave Illinois in future I will wear a paper bag over my head.

The embarrassment of it all.

Go home, Roland. You are the political equivalent of a guy who bought a stereo system from a dude in the back of a truck at midnight. How was I supposed to know it was stolen? Go home. You cheapen our democracy with your kabuki theatricals. Go home.

Whether you approve or not, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich continues to go to work every day and conducts day to day business required of the Office of Governor. I don't see how the Senate can pick and choose which duties Rod Blagojevich performs is acceptable and which are not. How can the Senate accept the Governor's approval of "any" bills or his signature on "any" check and not approve his appointment of Rolland Burris who has a spotless record? If they are sincere about the cloud over the Governor's head, then "all" official business the Governor performs should be null & void, including payment of bills.
The decision not to seat Burris is purely "political". Illinois has a black eye for it's political past and the Senate by not seating Burris is blackening the other eye at the expense of the Illinois residents. I think when the Senate is finished embarrassing Illinois, Burris will emerge victorious in being seated as the Junior Senator of Illinois. Act quickly and remove Blagojevich's power, but in the meantime, don't pick & choose what is acceptable and what is not. And don't discredit the integrity of Rolland Burris

this guy is a clown. he hasn't one an election in Il in years. kind of funny watching him being turned away. look at the reporter laughing to his left.

As John Adams said, we are a nation of laws, not men. Any personal feelings or opinions on this matter are irrelevant. Blagojevich is the governor, Burris has been appointed legally. Unless it can be proved in a court of law that Burris bought this seat, it's his. The democrats are well on their way to outdo Bush&Co in undermining the US constitution and leading us all into a fascist dictatorship.

This most sicking political act I have ever witness.
I blame it on Obama
as Burris wasn't one of his tainted favoriates.
Also hope the Illinos Black Democrat voters remeber this.

@Bryan:
I agree Todd Stroger, Lisa Madigan, are far more qualified than Burris. Appointments approved by Harry Reid are the way to go.
As for the constitution and the law---Forget about it!
We in Illinois don't need no elections, we have politicians bred to make decisions for us.

If Burris had any integrity he would have not accepted Blago's appointment. Unless your motives are collecting accolades, which appears to be the case given his mausoleum.

The circus has begun! Obama hasn't even been inaugurated yet, the new Congress hasn't even been seated yet, but we're already seeing the kinds of "Hope" and "Change" we can expect from the "democrats", that were foretold. Richardson, Panetta, now the Burris meltdown! I suggest that we might now consider an additional descriptive term besides the commonly used "Cluster----", we could also refer to this type of situation now as a "Full Blagojevich!" This is to be expected when qualifications, experience, patriotism, and the best interests of the nation are held in contempt, and only naked politics, cronyism, and self-interest are valued. (By the way, how much did BURRIS pay for the appointment?)

They said they would not seat anyone G-Rod appointed. G-Rod appointed someone. They're not seating him. So what's the controversy exactly?

If they did seat him, people would be complaining how spineless they are.

Roland, Please go back to Chicago and regain whatever dignity you have left by renouncing Blagojevich and his attempts at legitimacy by using your appointment. And shame on those who are attempting to make this a race issue when everyone with any brains or sense of history knows it is not.

I love how people are saying that it is racist to not let him. Can we all put the race card away.

i am glad they did not seat him. and hats off to Jesse White for not giving in and signing. the appointment is tainted.
if a man steals a car and then gives it to you, do you own it?
NO.
the senate seat belongs to the people of illinois and we should decide who sits in it.

While I believe Mr. Burris may be an honorable man, I question his affiliation with our gov.
I am from down state near St. Louis and it seems our opinion does not matter in this. I am embarrassed and quite saddened by a man who thinks it is business as usual. I endorse an election by the people of our state.

Roland Burris' appointment is not legitimate. The people of IL deserve a senator that will actually DO something when in office. He hasn't done a thing, excpet carve his tombstone, since entering politics. Any intelligent person knows that Roland Burris is not the best choice, or the most qualified choice, but the only choice Blago had given the mess he created. If the process was at all legitimate, many more qualified candidates would be considered and dicussed. All Burris is doing is making more of a fool out of himself and making IL more of a laughing stock.

Posted by: Bryan | January 6, 2009 10:57 AM
Roland Burris was an excellant choice, much, much better that the tainteed llist Obama madeup via Rahm Blago.

It's sad to see those in power in the Senate play games with this appointment. Remember Blago is still the Gov and made a legal appointment. The SOS is playing politics by not co-signing the certificate whereas he has no legal reason not to co-sign the appointment.

The US Senate is trying to use their rules to refuse to seat Burris. Their rules are trumped by the US Constitution and the Il state constitution and there is precident for this with the Adam Clayton Powell case.

Yooper

If he had any sort of integrity he would have gracefully temporarily bowed out as everyone is obviously not in agreement with his appointment. In that way, Democrats would surely have moved to appoint him with more legitimacy later on. Now he has made himself look like an opportunist and a desperate one at that...and with the other commentee, I'd also like to know who paid for his costs, etc.

Mr. Burris,
What we have all learned during our tenure in Illinois politics is equally applicable to the U.S.Senate! Give those people in Washington a "compelling" reason to seat you as the senator from Illinois. Remember it is not about the citizens of Illinois. It is all about you and your supporters!
R. Bago

Mr. Burris should take the rejection and accept it. If there's legal action to take, it stays in Illinois as he awaits the decision of the court to determine whether his selection by the governor is valid.

Innocent until proven guilty? Yes, but in the mean time power and authority are placed on hiatus.

Burris never should have approached the senate w/o giving the State of Illinois time to assess the authority of the indicted governor.

If Burris is really interested in the good of the State, he should stay in Washington as a spectator to the Senate, so that if/when the State confirms his selection to the Senate, he can hit the ground running.

Right now, he's just a side show and he needs to exercise restraint and discernment.

Thanks to the Illinois Democrats and their accomplices in the media, Illinois continues to be a national laughingstock.

The Democratic Leadership in the Illinois General Assembly is greatly responsible for this big and embarrassing mess that Illinois finds itself in. They should have passed legislation calling for a Special Election to fill Obama's old Senate Seat. But then they figured out that there was a possibility that they could lose that Seat to the Republicans in a General Election. As long as Blagojevich is still Governor he does have the power to appoint a replacement for Obama. It is unfortunate that this has become Big Political Soap Opera with the race card in play. Illinois looks really stupid to the rest of the country. Even Hollywood could not of come up with such a script.

Whether you approve or not, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich continues to go to work every day and conducts day to day business required of the Office of Governor. I don't see how the Senate can pick and choose which duties Rod Blagojevich performs is acceptable and which are not. How can the Senate accept the Governor's approval of "any" bills or his signature on "any" check and not approve his appointment of Rolland Burris who has a spotless record? If they are sincere about the cloud over the Governor's head, then "all" official business the Governor performs should be null & void, including payment of bills.
The decision not to seat Burris is purely "political". Illinois has a black eye for it's political past and the Senate by not seating Burris is blackening the other eye at the expense of the Illinois residents. I think when the Senate is finished embarrassing Illinois, Burris will emerge victorious in being seated as the Junior Senator of Illinois. Act quickly and remove Blagojevich's power, but in the meantime, don't pick & choose what is acceptable and what is not. And don't discredit the integrity of Rolland Burris

Reed and his lot are no better then the Blagojevich, Burris has been legally been appointed and should be allowed to represent the people of Illinois. No regard for the law, Shame on the President elect, a constitutional law professor?

Reed and Durbin should get to the nations work and get off TV.

I find this whole situation to be very sad. Roland Burris clearly is crying out for attention; perhaps he misses being in the spotlight. If he was truly serious about taking Obama's senate seat, he shouldn't have accepted it from Blago.
He's really making a spectacle out of himself in an already embarrassing situation.

I'm "mad as hell and not going to take this anymore". Il. needs both Senators in Washington...Congress is about to pass out massive dollars...we could lose out on some of the cash!...that they rejected our African-American appointment, who meets the constitutional requirements, is a Democratic quagmire they brought on themselves... we citizens of Il. are victims once more of the Chicago corruption...liberals unite...send your cash to Blago...a national payoff to protect Team Obama and get on with "change we can believe in"...didn't see Al, Jessie, or Bobby standing behind Roland did ya! Gotta love it.

I now want Burris seated because the GOP in Illinois will have its best chance of regaining the Senate seat. He's utterly unelectable! His party will be embarrassed beyond words if they fail to support an incumbent, like Topinka and Co. did with Peter Fitzgerald.

Does anyone know if Harry Reid was wearing his Klan suit?

Posted by: joekoz | January 6, 2009 10:52 AM
Think he had his"Real Estate" suit on

Mr. Burris paid good money for the seat. He should be allowed to take office.

"A Nation of Laws, Not Men." Nice phrase, but not in place today.

The same thinking that says better to let a thousand guilty go free than to jail one innocent man applies here too. The principle behind that thinking as well as the former is that laws dictate our conduct, not the whims of men. When the laws do not do what we wish, we change the law(s) not bend to the whims of others.

Burris was duly appointed to the Senate and should be seated. That is the law. I'm ashamed of all who would block his path.

Burris got thrown a bone, albeit a big one, and he cannot resist feeding his own ego.

He has proven his sleaziness by willfully steeping into the muck.

His supporters have joined him.

a lot to do and said about the appointment of Mr Burris, has anyone checked up on any money exchanges between the "new" senator and the governor. just seems like Mr. Burris is fighting hard for something he wants, like give me what I have paid for.

Burris' fight right now is with the Secretary of State. They know that they need that signature, otherwise they wouldn't have gone to the Supreme Court to get it. Why Burris thought he could go to Washington without this being cleared up shows how strange his behavior is. Maybe he thought the Lord would clear His way to the Senate.
Franken is waiting for a signature too, but you don't see him making grandstand gestures.
Two candidates, one acting like an adult and another acting like a spoiled child.

Now what Democratic geniuses? We are about to enter a stage of maximum chaos in Illinois politics. Reid has just signed his political death warrant.

I am from IL and I say "Lets Have A Special Election." This will resolve this issue!!!

It's apparent that most of the comment poster are not from Illinois since you are saying to seat Burris. We are being held hostage here in IL. I have not heard of one person who lives in IL who wants Burris in the Senate. He was not elected. Our Governor will not step down. Our government has gone rogue and there is apparently nothing "legally" that can be done. What a democracy! Thank you to the Senate for stepping in when the "the State" is stepping all over its own people.

Burris got thrown a bone, albeit a big one, and he cannot resist feeding his own ego.

He has proven his sleaziness by willfully stepping into the muck.

His supporters have joined him.

This reminds me of the Bozo show from when I was a kid.
Blago is BOZO and Burris is Cookie his sidekick clown that always got laughed at. He is just Blago's clown and is making us all laugh at his own expense. I just can't see how that seat would be worth the negative attention he is getting. I mean he is really making himself look very ridiculous and desperate. How can he not read the papers and not see these blogs and not see how so many people do NOT want him or any pick of Blago's taking that seat!!! But he is going against everyone and trying to force his way in is just idiocracy!

Wake up BURRIS NOBODY WANTS YOU IN THE SENATE!!!!!!!

I think this whole thing is "ridiculous"!
Mr. Burris is acting like a stubborn child whose toy was just taken away.
Maybe Mr. Burris should be placed on a time out and ask himself "who do I want to represent the people of the state of Illinois or my own personal ego?"
Hmmm, do you think our Governor is made of the same mold?

CORRUPTION !, The final Frontier !,... is it? Well, United States is not the entire universe but we have a lot of things going in this corner of the galaxy,don't you think?

Alright, once more from top. We have Obama, a guy with barely two years in senate and is elected into presidency.Elections that take place with dynamics of EMOTIONS, FRAUD, DECEPTIONS, INTIMIDATION, BRIBE, and 'others goodies',....in adittion, strongly associated and afiliated with corps and individuals with questionable integrity - ( and on this EVERYONE KNOWS THE THING , RIGHT?,...oh! yeah! remember now,... CORPS, FANNIE, FREDDIE, ,...CROOKS AND THIEVES, RAINES JOHNSON, O'NEAL COX, SOROS,....the 'cover-up club', BARNEY FRANK PELOSI,REID,DODD, and others weeds,...others interesting people such as, AYRES,REZKO,WRIGHT,ALINSKY,...and the list still going long,...but that is enough to refresh memory,correct?

Now the adventure continues with Blagojevich,Rolan Burris,Al Franken,, ....great galaxies! it is obvious that from the 'get-go', this 'Obamanization' is not other thing than an 'ABOMINATION' FOR THIS COUNTRY AT THIS TIME IN HISTORY!

Oh! yeah!, 'we made history ' alright, and we have 'CHANGE'. Let's say Bush was bad so the change is from bad to worst!

An inexperinced guy for presidency making a pathetic CUASI-CLINTON-CLONE JOKE CABINET (not much for a 'CHANGE' for is all from 'MORE OF THE SAME' OLD TRASH, with some additions here and there like CIA apointee,- also equal to ZERO IN EXPERIENCE)

So, in other words, a real life sitcom,...he-he-he ,...straight from the every day life to something like Comedy Central galore.I bet Jon Stewart can kiss good bye his presentation now. WE ALL ARE LIVING THE JOKE NOW!

So, you see now? ,...how you bunch of COCOZOIDS, WACKADOOS AND BRAINLESS ZELOIDS DEMOCRATS MESSED-UP?,...voting with the 'Obamanization' inclination you made this country an ABOMINATION! ,....and chances are that this nation is going to be the target-laugh for years to come.

Maybe, just maybe, NOW! THAT YOU SEE WHAT YOU DID,...all these DEMOCRATS AIRHEADS WANT TO HAVE OR WANT TO FIND A TIME MACHINE TO GO BACK IN TIME AND UNDO THEIR PATHETIC MISTAKE.

Hey! you all COCOZOIDS understand that you messed-up BIG TIME! right?,....I do hope you are well aware of this.

But this is only the begining of things really. What do we learned from this? At least one thing, CORRUPTION IS THE CAPABILITY TO BE WITH GOD AND THE DEVIL AT THE SAME TIME,..well, one of the many definitions.

I have to handle it to you guys, you democrats ( the majority, not all of you are WACKADOOS or COCOZOIDS ) are a piece of art. Still, whoever is not a COCOZOID or a WACKADOO is a GOOFBALL.

Sleep well.

sincerely,
Daniel Cabrera
Merrillville, Indiana

This is NOT a shot at Burris as stated in the article. They DO NOT have Jesse Whites signature on the paperwork that is required to seat him. Also if they are in such a hurry to get Blago out then why drag their feet knowing that @ s S clown Blago still has power?!

What a way to end 2008 and start 2009 on a good note.

The circus has begun! Obama hasn't even been inaugurated yet, the new Congress hasn't even been seated yet, but we're already seeing the kinds of "Hope" and "Change" we can expect from the "democrats", that were foretold. Richardson, Panetta, now the Burris meltdown! I suggest that we might now consider an additional descriptive term besides the commonly used "Cluster----", we could also refer to this type of situation now as a "Full Blagojevich!" This is to be expected when qualifications, experience, patriotism, and the best interests of the nation are held in contempt, and only naked politics, cronyism, and self-interest are valued. (By the way, how much did BURRIS pay for the appointment?)

"quietly accepting the refusal of his credentials "
I almost laughed out loud at this. What drugs are you taking?

Quietly? Playing the race card and saying the senate is full of white men who want to lynch him is "quietly"?

And you wonder why journalists aren't trusted or believed anymore.

"This provides senators with the procedural grounds on which to deny Burris access -- though their motivation is clearly political, not legal."

I guess this article is not meant to be an objective news article? Whether or not this move is "clearly" political or legal is up for discussion and dispute. I wish that all readers would be able to see this clear subjective statement in the above article but unfortunately, i don't have that much faith in your readers. Now I don't have very much faith in your paper as a source of objective news reporting

Seat Burris. He is an honorable man with no blots on his name. He is able and was duly appointed by a sitting governor. Get on to the business of the senate.Let Illinois take care of the concerns about their governor.

We the people of Illinois deserve a chance to select our own Senator to replace BHO. Any Blago appoitment is tainted and the last thing this state needs is more scandal in D.C. Let the people decide and quit treating all of us as if we were sheep!!

Now please go home, Burris! Haven't you and Blago embarassed this state enough?

This was a great test for Mr. Burris and I think he flubbed it. He could have worked with the Dems behind the scenes to "figure this thing out" quietly while deferring to the current regime. He's going to have to learn how to do this if he intends to succeed later on. Instead he "parachutes" into Washington, makes a spectacle of himself and the Senate. Not very politically savvy if you ask me...

All this sure takes the spotlight off Rod, doesn't it?

We're just handing this senate seat to the Republicans during the next election. THANKS AGAIN ROD!

Governor Blo has succeeded! He has taken the spotlight off of himself and his corruption and placed it on a 71-year-old fool who has allowed himself to be sucked in to Blo's game. The game: when you don't have the facts on your side, use smoke and mirrors. Blo is a master, my friends.

To all the people posting that we should just live with "Senator" Burris, please go away. He's NOT a senator and the senate was right to tell him to go home. Blago could have allowed Quinn or (shock!) the people to pick their representative in the senate since he TRIED TO SELL THE SAME SEAT but that wouldn't have allowed him and Burris to grandstand. This sham senator will NEVER be accepted by the voters of Illinois. Look at the Tribune's poll. More than 70% of the people are against him being seated. You won't win this one so "just move on."

Harry Reid and his white Democrat colleagues in the Senate have joined Democrats George Wallace, Orval Faubus and Bull Connor in keeping blacks out of situations for which they were or are qualified. Wallace and Faubus stood at the school house door. Reid, by proxy, stands at the Senate door to keep Roland Burris outside. There are only three criteria for serving in the Senate: Resident of the state, age 30 or over, and meeting election or appointment standards. Burris meets them all. Read them, they're in the Constitution.

Whether you like or dislike the appointment of Roland Burris is a moot point. Whether he will do a good job or a bad job is a moot point. The fact of the matter is that he was legally appointed by the governor as prescribed in our laws and was subsequently refused to be seated because the powers that be didn't like the way he was selected.

This is not only a very dangerous precendent, it is also a slap in the face to a representative form of government. We are supposed to be able to choose who represents us - and in this case we deffered that choice to Blagoevich through our Constitution so anyone who wants to argue this point can stop right now. So, given that Burris is our choice, when the Senate refuses to seat him, they are telling us that we don't have the right to choose who represents us. That is called tyranny my friends and cannot be tolerated. If the Senate continues to refuse to seat our representative, then we should be allowed to secede from the Union.

SECCESSION NOW!!!!!!

Could Roland"the highest bidder" Burris just be a jury tainting pawn?
Why would anyone in their right mind accept anything from this Gov. ?
How many of the bills the Gov. is putting his name on will have to be overturned ?
And finally how far back will laws have to be challenged?

As much as I don't like it, I have to say that there is no way that Jesse White is correct here....no way he has the legal right to veto a choice by the sitting governor.

I think this appointment is tained, not by Burris though. I can't see why he would want to muddy himself with this, after many years of honorable service to IL. Being a former state attorney general, I don't see how he thought this would work without the paperwork from Jesse White, who I think did the right thing.

"Do they actually know how childish and incompetent they appear?" You are referring to Burris and Blago, right? I only saw one non-elected clown defiantly screaming "I am the senator" on my TV. I've seen better behavior out of four-year-olds.

But when will we learn to spell? That seems the true travesty. Politicians will come and go, but poor spelling, alas, remains.

He should have been denied. Mr. Burris should have been wise enough to stay clear of this mess, how dare he allowed himself to be used as tool. It is embarrassing.

Did anyone else notice that for the first time on Mr. Burris' face that there was no smile. Ever since he was annointed to the spot, he's always had this smile on his face from ear to ear. I'm not sure what was always so funny or how he could think that we the people of Illinois could think that any of this news was funny but yet he always had this smile on his face as if he was better than any of us. I voted for Mr. Burris years ago but sir you've lost my respect and any potential vote. Let the people of Illinois decide who will represent them as their Senator.

Blago's little pet puppet goes to Washington & is rejected. What a surprise!! Blago was warned that ANYONE he appointed would not be accepted. Blago himself, I thought, agreed that he wouldn't appoint anyone, but then that was another lie (surprise surprise) as he went back on his statement & appointed this washed up old hack. Burris is a selfish old fool for even accepting this in the first place. If he had any stones he would have told Blago to stick the appointment somewhere personal and further, should have told Blago that the people of this state don't want him to do anything but resign and that we want to select our own senator by exercising our voice via an election. But NO, Burris, selfish & foolish, KNOWS the people don't want HIM & he wasn't going to risk HIS butt in an election. And then these circus freaks pull out the Race card!!! This was NEVER about race, Blago was warned that ANYBODY he appointed wouldn't be accepted.

I have (had) great respect for Mr. Burris. He was an honest public servant and worked hard for Illinois. However, I believe that these recent actions of his make a mockery of our country's system. Additionally, he is making Illinois, and the people of Illinois look like a joke. I am personally insulted by his actions, and he needs to abide by the wishes of the Illinois Senate and various committees. With this recent defiance, he puts himself in the same category as Blogo. What a shame for him to tarnish his own reputation.

The circus has begun! Obama hasn't even been inaugurated yet, the new Congress hasn't even been seated yet, but we're already seeing the kinds of "Hope" and "Change" we can expect from the "democrats", that were foretold. Richardson, Panetta, now the Burris meltdown! I suggest that we might now consider an additional descriptive term besides the commonly used "Cluster----", we could also refer to this type of situation now as a "Full Blagojevich!" This is to be expected when qualifications, experience, patriotism, and the best interests of the nation are held in contempt, and only naked politics, cronyism, and self-interest are valued. (By the way, how much did BURRIS pay for the appointment?)

You wrote:
Burris, "whom Senate leaders refused to seat because of the 'cloud' surrounding the Illinois governor who appointed him."

Not strictly true.
Burris was denied entry to the Senate chamber because his credentials were not accepted by the Clerk of the Senate.

The Clerk of the Senate did not accept the credentials because they did not conform to Senate rules. The credentials did not conform because the credentials were not countersigned by the secretary of state for the State of Illinois.

This was why Burris was not allowed into the Senate today.

Because of this, Senate leaders didn't have to act on their stated intention to block Burris' seating because of the "cloud" over Blagojevich.

It is interesting, in this blow-by-blow account, you don't mention, or at least I don't think you did, the Clerk's actual reasons for denying Burris' credentials.

Yes, the reasons are technical in nature, but the entire controversy is about the rules, and whether they are being followed. So that detail is important.

So, the whether Burris will sue the Senate is an interesting question. But how about this one:

WHY ISN'T BURRIS, WHO SHOULD KNOW THE LAW AND PROCEDURE, TALKING ABOUT SUING THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF ILLINOIS?

Burris should be embarassed. He's a has-been that was a lame duck politican for a short time and is obviously hungry for the limelight, not for serving the state.
And for Rush to declare his right to the seat becasue he is black is as racist a statement as I ever heard.

Who paid for his trip ?

I think it's problematic to say the appointment is "not legitimate". Blago is the legally elected governor, performing one of the duties he is charged with as governor. He has not been indicted or indeed removed from office. I don't believe there's any legitimate reason to say Burris is unqualified or unable to perform. True, he is playing the clown here, but maybe he honestly feels he can best serve the constituency.

Mr. Burris should know that the governor's approach to making this appointment was to do what was best for himself, not the state of Illinois. There is no reason to believe that this is any different now. The governor is no longer in a position to make an objective determination of the best person to replace Obama, and anyone who would accept such an appointment would be doing so knowing this.

Does anyone realize how nuts Blago is? This is all a theater of the absurd.

I believe that the Governor has the law on his side.

The FBI / Federal Attorney filed a complaint, but asked for an extension of the normal time period before they arraign him. So, there is a complaint but no formal charges.

Also, the Illinois Constitiution, as I understand it, allows the Governor to retain office until he is sentenced. Not just until he is charged, or even convicted, but until he is sentenced.

While I believe accepting the appointment was not in the best interest of the citizens, I also believe Mr. Burris may have done so to put light on the subject. Perhaps he wishes to have the law changed. Perhaps he wishes to give the Illinois Attorney General a 'stage' on which to perform.

It's too bad Burris allowed his ego to overrule his common sense. Everyone in and out of politics knew Blago's appointment would be viewed as illegitimate - even if it was legal. Burris has needlessly tarnished his image by allowing himself to be drawn in to this circus. Why would he do this?

earth to LAB, you did not work with Burris when he was Treasurer because he never WAS treasurer.

Burris was rejected for governor and Senator so he has little chance of winning reelection.

He should've refused this appointment but his ego clouded his judgement.

Politicians, everywhere should be ashamed of themselves and their brethren. The 'taking my ball and going home' attitude is childish, immature and certainly no example of the statesmanship of politicians of years past. I can only imagine that Paul Simon or Everett McKinley Dirksen are rolling over in their graves at this sheer nonsense being bandied about in our state and the Nation's capital.

Let's remove the emotion, politics, conjecture, etc. out of the Burris nomination and look at the actual facts....

Governor Blagojevich is a sitting Governor, duly elected by the people of Illinois and, while accused of crimes, has NOT BEEN FOUND GUILTY of the alleged crimes. Likewise, HE HAS NOT BEEN IMPEACHED and therefore is an actual sitting governor who enjoys the power and privilege of that position.

Under the terms of the Constitution, the sitting governor has the authority to appoint the Senate replacement and has done so, period. Regardless of the politics, the current Governor's legal issues, etc. he has acted within the letter of the law. I may not like it, you may not like it, it may not be a good choice of candidate, but the Senate has absolutely no business preventing Burris from taking the seat because the process was followed directly and as it was written. The other conditions simply aren't relevant to the case at hand, regardless of how anyone feels about or otherwise interprets the situation. Facts are facts.

It's easy and convenient to blame the Governor for this situation with Burris, but the fact is that it is the fault of the 'process.' It is irrelevant that the Governor utilized the 'process' to what appears to be his advantage and as a last ditch effort to utilize the power of his office that he will probably soon vacate against his will. Unfortunately, the process allows this situation to happen because it has not accounted for the specific conditions that the Senate is trying to utilize to prevent the seat from being appointed.

The Senate should sit Burris and then develop the legislation appropriate to prevent the situation from happening again, if possible. Again, 'if possible' is the key here. A Governor who allegedly commits a crime while in office and is later found innocent would be considered 'acceptable' under the eyes of the law of the land, regardless of the court of public opinion. Does that situation truly differ from what we have now? The only court that has actually ruled on the issue is the one that counts the least.

I will be happy to help our Senate craft the correct language regarding this issue.

It should read like this:

"The US Senate, while deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Roland Burris to the open Illinois Senate seat vacated by the President-Elect, nevertheless respects and is governed by the law of the land and the process in which Mr. Burris was brought to this forum and therefore welcomes Mr. Burris as the Junior Senator from Illinois and duly bestows upon him the rights and responsibilities of that office. It is our hope and expectation that Senator Burris will work to not only distance himself from the circumstances of his appointment but also represent the citizens of the State of Illinois in a lawful, respectful, honest and fair manner. His direct work and voting record will determine how history will be written in the future."

That is the way we will restore some honor, integrity and decency to our respective government institutions. I hope, for the sake of sanity that the Senate takes some responsibility, comes to this same conclusion and stops this circus.

Maybe Burris would be a "do nothing" senator. He could never show up or if he did he could fight for earmarks for Blago and vote present at the same time. Guess he needs another pension and another 18 months of government lollygagging would give him that at the taxpayers expense.

Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? The Illinois Governor is still officially serving as a Governor and he made this appointment. Why is it not certified by the Secretart of State of Illinois? Please deal with Rod Blagojevich for his alleged crimes separately and not deprve a fine man of his rights to be the Senator.

Bobby Rush claims this is about race--so why did Rush support a white guy when Obama ran for U.S. Senate? Hmmmm?

Democratic senators warned in advance they would reject an appointment by Blagojevich so this has nothing to do with race (a rather absurd claim when the Democrats just put the first African-American into the White House.

Rush is just being a hypocrite and a fool.

Roland Burris is a legitimate appointment by Blago, Blago is doing his job. No one else is. In the current mess Burris should consider changing
his name to Uncle Tom Burris I am sure that would get him seated by the distinguished Democratic Senate MAJORITY leader.

why would you be where you are not wanted and continue to make a ass of yourself and the state
burris during his entire career has tried to use racism in every election when he ran for mayor it was the worst
now he is allowing a gov who is off the deep end to use him to disrupt the obama take over
blgo could care less about burris he did this just to be a ass
The race card is getting old illinois has elected 2 black senators more than any other state How is a state a racist if they have a record of voting in two black senators
there is a reason that burris is no longer in gov mabye because the people spoke 5 differant times on him

Burris is more qualified to Senator than the illegal Obama is to be President. At least we know where Burris was born!

(Still, whoever is not a COCOZOID or a WACKADOO is a GOOFBALL.)

Speaking of which...this long, disjointed diatribe proves conclusively that some Americans are disturbed. But thanks, Tribune, for posting this nonsense...it's entertainment, after a fashion, and there is no doubt it will bring many clicks to your website.

Back to the subject...Burris went to the Senate knowing he would be turned away. He was playing for public support and pity. Unfortunately, in doing so, he put the Democrats in Washington, D.C., into a no-win situation. Reject him, and you're hard-hearted and/or racist. Accept him, and you're a part of a corrupt system.

Mr. Burris proceeded with this political stunt solely for his own benefit. He was not thinking of his party, or his country. For this reason alone, he does not deserve the senate seat. My hope is that Illinois has a special election to fill it.

The Senate has acted like a vigilante mob--taking action on their own--not content to wait for a court's or a jury's decision. This does not look good for the rule of law in America--makes one a bit afraid to live in America.

Curiouser and Curiouser.

Whom would Quinn appoint?

I don't believe he has said, has he?

It would be nice if he would so we could at least know what the alternative might be.

I doubt Quinn could find anyone more qualified or more honest than Roland Burris.

It's quite amazing that it took him to travel all the way to Washington to be declined for the seat. I wonder where the funds came from?!

Burris has been a fool - he should have declined to take the nomination until Blago had been sorted. If Blago is convicted, it's likely Burris will be a tainted man.

There's a real simple test:
How many of you thought " I wonder how much Burris paid for the appointment?"
The very notion should disqualify him!
What reasonable citizen would want a Senator under those circumstances?

Harry Reid is a coward and shows no leadership in seating Roland Burris. Please read my commentary at this link: http://www.marymacelveen.com/blog/_archives/2009/1/6/4048212.html

Sincerely,
Mary MacElveen

It's quite amazing that it took him to travel all the way to Washington to be declined for the seat. I wonder where the funds came from?!

Burris has been a fool - he should have declined to take the nomination until Blago had been sorted. If Blago is convicted, it's likely Burris will be a tainted man.

Until someone can come up with a law that states if the Gov of Illinois indicted he can no longer do his duty, Burris should be seated. Simple as A B C!!

Legally Burris will prevail in time, that much is certain. In the meantime he is being a spectacle, exactly what Blago wished to happen. Blago and his stooge Burris are defraying attention from Blago himself to making Illinois and the democratic Senate caucus and leadership look bad and having to acknowledge Blago. What drama by bad news Blago who just won't go away quietly but has to make a big stink.

HAVE NONE OF THESE MORONS EVER READ THE CONSTITUTION??

As plain as can be: The guv appoints. And this guv - criminal though I believe him to be - IS STILL GOVERNOR. Hasn't even been indicted yet!

THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION FOLKS!

As a Democrat, I will not vote for Burris if he chooses to run for re-election for US Senate. I hope the Democratic Party backs someone else or I will vote Republican. We will not accept anyone, regardless how spotless Burris' record is, he was appointed by a governor soon to be impeached and convicted.

Had he and other not played the race card, I might have given him a chance, not now. I has nothing to do with race.

I voted Obama because I think he'll do a bettre job than Bush or McCain, not because he was black.

Want more Blacks in the Senate, run for senator. If you win great, if not, oh well, this isn't 1960.

Reid and Durbin can retire their pinstripe suits and don what they are most comfortable in .....their hoods and white bedsheets

I don't believe this is, or should be, a racial issue. It is an ethical issue. Based upon Governor Blagojevich's recent attempts to sell the senate seat, Mr. Burris should NOT be seated. This is not about Mr. Burris. It is about Mr. Blagojevich. I applaud the individuals in the senate and the state of Illinois who are standing up for what is right in the face of opposition, and endeavoring to do what is best for our country as well as the citizens of Illinois.

Well duh, didn't they tell you that you would be before you burned all those Fossil Fuels while flying to DC! Can someone get Al Gore in here to reprimand this man for unecessarily contributing to global warming!!

Now what Democratic geniuses? We are about to enter a stage of maximum chaos in Illinois politics. Reid has just signed his political death warrant.

Posted by: Marty | January 6, 2009 12:15 PM
Throw Durbin in for good measure.

He needs to be seated as senator. Who the heck is Reid. And what does White have against Roland. Rod is still the governor and unfortunately all the the democrats who do not want Roland is because they did not get paid for there pick.

It is not a legal appointmment till the BLACK sec of the state of Ilinios certifies it. Sorry but I don't see how this is racist at all . This victim mentallity has got to go ! Move forward

Curious to know if blago's idea to fill obama's seat was hatched with the help of the pastors who met with him at his house shortly after his arrest? Weeks later, Burris appears triumphantly before a jubliant southside church

No Blago appointee will or should be taken seriously. The Governor who appointed him is about to be indicted for selling the seat Burris has been "appointed" to. It is a tainted appointment and Burris will be ineffective- the people of Illinois deserve more!

Enough is enough. Gimme a break. We have so many more important things to be concerned with. We have our first "Black" Present about to take office. Whether Gov B. is innocent or guilty, he is still the Governor of this State and he has every right to appoint whom he feels is the right person for the job. Personally, I agree with someone who stated that had the Governor not ran his mouth off and incriminated himself, Roland Burris would not have stood a chance getting the Senate position. No sooner than the FBI arrested Gov B. and Roland Burris found out the information was damaging for the Gov and the other Dem's vying for the position........then and only then did Roland throw his hat in the ring. Hmmm, I smell something fishy and it's not fish. Hopefully, all of this nonsense will be resolved soon.

PEACHES

I hear everyone talking about the legality of the appointment, but no one talking about what a sleazeball Burris is. Burris is a disgusting, self important little worm who cant win an election the old fashioned way, so he cozies up to a corrupt Governor and accepts an appointment that no self respecting person would ever accept.

Fine, let the little weasel have the seat so he can feel important. I guess legally he cant be stopped. But he shoule be ignored and marginalized in the chamber, ridiculed and mocked in the media, and shunned and outcast in his home state. I want to see him heckled like Bernie Madoff whenever he pokes his head outside. Obviously this guy doesnt care about the constituency, the democrat party, or the USA; he cares about getting his fingers in the pie, if only for 2 years. Is everyone so scared of being called a racist that they cant comment on the obvious? Burris is a failed political hack who was rejected by the voters of Illinois, and who is now willing to screw the country and ruin whats left of his reputation in order to get himself into the senate, which doesnt want him either. This is typical of the current political class in America.

Anyone with a shred of decency and respect for the people of Illiinois would not have eagerly accepted Blago's nomination because of the cloud of taint hanging over the selection. Burris ego, though not as big is Blago's, got in the way. He should have said 'thanks but no thanks' and then asked to be considered when all the stink had blown over. The only problem is that he knows that he wouldn't have been the best person for the position if he had to run against others. Greed and self servitude raises its ugly head again.

Contrary to what the country believes from the national reporting. Obama is not a machine politition and he is not from the "black" power bases in Chicago. Thats is why Rush didnt support him. He was made into these things by the media

TO: Daniel Cabrera of Merrillville, Indiana

Who asked for your opinion anyway, STAY IN INDIANA WHERE YOU BELONG. Merrillville, yea ok, a hot bed of highly educated, free thinking people. Hell, you probably are already campaigning for Jeb Bush now that Daddy says he'd be a good president! Sure he would, just like the other two Bushies! Oh and Daniel, have you forgotten about another one of your Republican's RICHARD NIXON! A fine piece of work.

Lastly, let's see, Republican administration the last 8 years - yep, let's see, economy is in the toilet, we're still looking for the WMD's over their in Iraq, we've tortured innocent people, we're billions and billions in debt - answer me this - NAME ONE THING BUSH HAS DONE THAT WAS WELL DONE, SOMETHING THAT REALLY MATTERED IN THE COUNTRY - NAME JUST ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And please stay in Indiana, it's really none of your business what we're doing in Illinois is it?

"Burris, too, was without a home this morning."

Seriously? Is this supposed to read like a bad novel? Because it does.

Get over yourself, Swamp, and just report the news. Illinois politics needs no schmaltzy embellishment; it's plenty embarrassing on its own.

Why is it that IL produces so many slimy politicians? The governor is an embarrassment to the State and his latest antics are also a disgrace to the entire Nation.

The attempt at appointing Burris or anyone else is only going to cast a cloud over the Obama inauguration in the view of world politics. Blagaovich should have considered the big picture once he was busted, instead of just being concerned with just his own backside.

Refused a Seat? He should return with a goat and put a curse on that darn Senate!

What a surprise, Is Bobby Rush going to say the entire country is racist now? As far as i can see, finally a group of politicians werent afraid of a racially infused Rush Bomb! Rush.....your more insignificant now than Burris! Maybe now you can go down south and live your last years peacefully because HE is watching! You are a racist noboby now and tis proves it. Even the African Americans can see through your aged games!

Curiouser and Curiouser.

Whom would Quinn appoint?

I don't believe he has said, has he?

It would be nice if he would so we could at least know what the alternative might be.

I doubt Quinn could find anyone more qualified or more honest than Roland Burris.

The state of Illinois has given a vote of No Confidence, which in Canada would have ended his time in offfice. His scurrilous actions, finally caught on tape, will finally be his undoing. Burris was picked by a defective governor, and his appointment will be made null and void. A special election would be his best bet to get into office. He has seemed a valid contender, though today's circus makes me wonder. His appointment was never approved by the state, so why would he presume to go to Washington? An honorable man would have declined the post, until the election.

Dear Mr. Burris,
Taxpayers in Chicago do not want a senator that is clueless enough to actually accept an appointment from Rod Blagojevich. What were you thinking? If you had respectfully declined you might have had a chance at eventually being appointed to the seat in a legitimate manner. The fact that you are considering further legal action is sad and pathetic.
signed, a concerned citizen of Illinois.

Burris should never have accepted the appointment. Blago may still legally be Governor, but the citizens of Illinois no longer have any approval, trust or faith in him, and that should have meant something to our Governor. He should have accepted and repected that, but he could have cared less. Therefore, despite what his qualifications or skin color my be, Burris is still the hasty selection and counter-strike recommendation from a highly disreputable man. The timing of the appointment was entirely self-serving, and completely disrespected the citizen majority who distrust or even fear his irrational, destructive actions at present. He is no longer capable of acting on my behalf any longer.

If a man were found standing in front of a dead body and holding a smoking gun, he may indeed be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law... but they still take his gun away -- RIGHT AWAY--, just to play it safe. Blago continues to disregard and insult us as Illinois citizens, and is wounding himself and those citizens in the process. He should have stepped down immediately and initiated efforts to explain, re-assure and regain the trust of the people, if even possible.

Burris knew who was going to be denied. Yet, he went ahead and wasted taxpayers dollars by flying to Washington anyway. How is that people are becoming more and more stupid and wasteful?

Sounds like the 1950's all over again.

They will not let the Black man "sit down".

We need another Rosa Parks to get us out of this mess in Illinois.

His being turned away has nothing to do with the color of his skin. And as far as "living with it", as some posters suggested, we've sat back and "lived with it" through the last eight years. It's about TIME someone stands up for what's right! ANYONE that Blago. appointed would have been turned away, and I think that is the right thing to do.

Everyone says that the Dems haven't done enough - well, when they do something, they're ridiculed. Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

OK, what state has the most insane voters? The nominees are Illinois (Blago, Ryan, etc.), Minnesota (Ventura, Franken) or Massachusetts (Kennedy, Franks). I realize that a lot more states could easily qualify but I'm trying to save space.

I doubt Quinn could find anyone more qualified or more honest than Roland Burris.

Posted by: ornery | January 6, 2009 4:32 PM

My hamster is more qualified than Burris. Probably smarter, too. He hasn't been rejected three times in elections by the people of Illinois.

The point of allowing Quinn to make the pick is not who he eventually chooses (he'd be hardpressed to pick someone worse than Burris) it's that a governor who CHOSE to sell the seat to the highest bidder wouldn't be further disgracing his office and the entire state of Illinois.

They should seat Burris. I heard Jesse White last night on WVON radio finally admitting that it is personal for him. Admitting Blago didn't give him something he wanted. So you have a Secretary of State lying to the public about why he really won't sign. I which someone could get the recording from Cliff Kelleys show last night. The governor is the legal governor (sorry dems you screwed yourselves). He made legal appt. So Burris is the legal Senator. Harry Reid sat there while Ted Stevens sat in the senate even though he was on trial and Reid said nothing. So Reid is wrong also. Federal law doesn't reguire the signature of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State is breaking the law.

The poor guy. Cant even shove his way into the senate where he has no business legally being to begin with. Perhaps he should call Farakhan(sp) or Sharpton or Jackson to help get him some attention.

Roland Burris is the appointed senator and should be allowed to serve as senator. He should be allowed in the House of Senate. It was very wrong to deny him his rightful position today. OK, he was appointed by a 'tainted' govenor BUT HE IS STILL GOVENOR and therefore Burris is legally the senator. Burris has been a faithful public servant with an outstanding record and deserves the greatest amount of respect by acknowledging him as the rightful senator. This is so wrong of Reid & Jesse White to deny him. I am hoping in the days to come that they reconsider.

I think that Roland Burris should have declined the senate seat just because of all the turmoil going on in my state. But he excepted the seat with zeal. The way he is acting its like he's owed this.
To me it looks so very corrupt.
If Roland Burris is truly looking to help Illinois then he should have waited for the people of Illinois to vote for him or let Pat Quinn pick the new senator. I think that the perks of being a senator should be changed so that if you are a fist time senator and only in one term than you do not get a pention or anything else.

This is indicative, I think, of how the Dems plan to run things. They're not even in there yet and they're fighting amongst themselves. Stupid.

Hamsters notwithstanding,

Burris was elected to state wide office 4 times.

The only AA politician who has done better in Illinois is about to move into the White House.

In all those years as Comptroller and Attorney General there was never any credible allegation of dishonesty or unethical conduct.

I don't think your hamster can equal that.

They have been trying to bring legal action against Blago and he was told no one he selected would be seated. Burris knew this. The seat is tainted and I am not sure why any black person would even care about this - so what if he is black. He took an appointment from a man when both of them had been told it would not be honored. Blago should have gracefully stepped down. Also trying to act like Obama is connected with this in anyway is ridiculous. He had nothing to do with this. Burris should have not gotten involved - if he truly had Illinois best interest at heart and waited for all of this to have settled.

Doesn't it bother people that the leaders of the U.S. Senate by barring Burris are thumbing their nose at the law? Don't these guys take an oath to uphold the law?

There's no legal basis for not seating Burris and they know it. There actions show they are more interested in political expediency than they are in upholding the law.

I'm certainly no fan of Burris or Blago. I never voted for either. But I am a fan of law and the law is on Blago and Burris' side in this instance.

Doesn't it bother people that the leaders of the U.S. Senate by barring Burris are thumbing their nose at the law? Don't these guys take an oath to uphold the law?

There's no legal basis for not seating Burris and they know it. There actions show they are more interested in political expediency than they are in upholding the law.

I'm certainly no fan of Burris or Blago. I never voted for either. But I am a fan of law and the law is on Blago and Burris' side in this instance.

so what i'd like to know is where is jesse jackson? doesn't anyone think that if this in someway didn't involve his own son and there wasa self interest, he would have been all over it? a black man, the only black senator is being blocked by the senate. lol...this just goes to show Jesse Jackson and his croniess hypocrisy.

so what i'd like to know is where is jesse jackson? doesn't anyone think that if this in someway didn't involve his own son and there wasa self interest, he would have been all over it? a black man, the only black senator is being blocked by the senate. lol...this just goes to show Jesse Jackson and his croniess hypocrisy.

It's unfortunate that so many people are howling about race on this appointment. If Mr. Burris had chosen to RUN for this Senate seat, I would have thought that his experience would qualify him for the position.

Taking the job based on an appointment from someone who is very likely going to jail at some point for such shenanigans as SELLING that seat tells us that no matter what the job experience is, the man has no integrity. If he can't earn his place in the Senate, he has no business being there.

It's the equivalent to sleeping with the boss to get a job that HIS boss had already hired you for. Stupid.

so what i'd like to know is where is jesse jackson? doesn't anyone think that if this in someway didn't involve his own son and there was a self interest, he would have been all over it? a black man, the only black senator is being blocked by the senate. lol...this just goes to show Jesse Jackson and his croniess hypocrisy.

"...because the secretary of state of Illinois, Jesse White, has refused to certify the governor's appointment..."

When the Supreme Court rules against him, how popular would Jesse White become if he resigned rather than sign? Popular enough to be the next Gov, come election time?

Please just seat the man so my state has the Senator we need! It is legal, it was done correctly, and the Unisted States Senate is making our nation look like lawless children!!!!

“I don't believe this is, or should be, a racial issue. It is an ethical issue.”
* * * * *
Posted by: DJS | January 6, 2009 3:14 PM
.
It is neither a racial nor an ethical issue. It is a legal issue. Burris is entitled to the Senate Seat because he was appointed by the Governor of Illinois. Since Blagojevich has yet to be removed from office, the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Constitution and Illinois laws gave Blagojevich the power and duty to appoint Obama’s successor in the Senate. He exercised that power, thereby conferring upon Burris the legal right to that Senate seat. Those same constitutions and laws also impose upon Jesse White, as Illinois Secretary of State, a clear, present and non-discretionary duty to certify Blagojevich’s appointment of Burris to the Senate.
.
Burris has filed a complaint for mandamus in the Illinois Supreme Court seeking to compel White to perform his constitutional and statutory duty. Hopefully, the Court will act swiftly to issue mandamus. When it does, that will be the end of the matter. The Senate will then have no grounds to refuse Burris his seat/
.
No one wins if laws and constitutions are not followed as written. As much as you dislike Blagojevich, disregard for the political procedures spelled out in the law and constitutions would be a disaster. If Burris can get kicked to the curb without remedy, then no elected officials is secure in office if other politicians in high places dislike their politics. That’s not a precedent I think anyone should care to endure for very long.

Reid and the Democrats are CORRECT to use their Article I authority to block the swearing in of Burris. Burris understood fully the taint of his seeking and then acceptance of the Blogojovich appointment. He has abused the process for his own amused self-aggrandizement.

What Reid needs to do now is begin an investigative process to determine the integrity of the Blogojovich appointment, including soliciting the resources of US Attorney Fitzgerald. ONLY if Burris has been formally cleared of ANY wrongdoing in his collaboration with Blogojovich, should he be freed to be sworn in. (of course, Reid has no cojones and so will cowardly back down)

The continuous debacles in Washington are going to push us over the cliff. Fat, over paid, self serving, out of touch inadequate fools.

Despicable, what Mr. Burris had to endure, including being left to his own devices out in the rain and cold. Utterly heanous.