Dick Durbin: Burris should resign

With the Illinois Democrats and the President afraid to comment, looks as if Sen Burris will fill out the remainder of the term, plus he seems to Have the backing of Chicago's Mayor Daley.

Will Turbin recommend to Harry Reid that Burris be removed from all senate committees and that the DSCC provide NO reelection money for him should he decide to run? It's more than just telling the press you want him to resign, Dick.

Wow... Burris is UNBELIEVABLE??? But why didn't Durbin ask for a special election when he knew the appointer was corrupt as was anyone associated with this seat?

The Dems will let him ride just for the vote. In 2010 they will dump him and back another candidate. In the meantime Illinois is stuck with another scandal and someone who is there in the Senate for his own personal gain and ego.

Burris is a typical Chicago Democrat, thinks only about himself, cares nothing about the people of Illinois.

It's mostly the newsmedia who has something to sell and politicians who want his seat that keeps the Burris thing going.

When you read a news story about someone do you ask yourself ... Is it bias, and is the media telling all the story, omitting other stories, and/or are they improperly using the communitarian movement pressures to sway their readers opinions? I believe that the press, Henry County State's Attorney Terry Patton, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the Illinois Education Association, the Geneseo School District, and others, are covering up the wrongful dismissal of Cecil Roth as a teacher in the Geneseo IL School System, because it would expose the fact that the ISBE condones subjective evaluation plans to fired teachers that districts don¹t like, but don¹t have valid reasons to dismiss. That fact would reopen many past dismissals and create something the ISBE, and others, do not want - the appearance of bias, expense, etc.! VoteNoParty member Cecil James Roth

Who cares what Durbin thinks! He also thought, at first, Illinois should hold a special election to fill Obama's vacated Senate seat. Then, his 3d grade nephew reminded him a Republican might actually capture that seat and he backtracked and agreed to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's choice, Roland Burris.

Now, the inevitable has happened and Sen. Dick "I'm blowin' in the Wind" Durbin has again changed his mind. That's some leadership from Sen. "I'm Roman Catholic but the Pope's all wet on abortion but Nancy Pelosi's not" Durbin. I don't know who is a bigger liability for Illinois, Sen. Burris or Sen. "What should my opinion be today" Durbin!

I did not vote Republican, so don't go there.

Fight on Senator Burris! You are my Constitutionally appointed Senator, not a whipping boy for the cowardly Democrats who used you for the stimulus vote and then want to throw you under the bus.

At least Durbin did the right thing finally after caving in initially. Time for dingy Harry to make a public stand isn't it and what about something from obammy directly? Oh yea, he be present!!

Durbin and Burris should both be removed if they violate their oath of office and vote for DC representation as such is prohibited by the constitution they both swore to uphold. By simply repealing the Wash. DC Organic Act of 1871, deeding the extra 51+ square miles to MD and VA, then giving each state an extra Rep, the problem is solved. But of course, the issue is political and that's why they're going to pass a sham bill which will get overturned by SCOTUS, leaving DC residents disenfranchised. As for Burris, if I were him, I'd switch to the GOP after being thrown under the bus by the Dems.

So, even though Durbin won't support his re-election bid, and suggests resignation ..., instead of working the ethics committee to get Burris out, he's going to work with him?

well what non white guy will the machine run now.to be our beloved senator

Since when is this US of Durbin or US of Quinn. Granted that Burris was chosen by a very troublesome individual, is there any evidence that Burris himself has done anything that would warrant his position in senate? How ironic that it Durbin protected an individual with a criminal history yet he wants Burris to resign. I suggest that Burris should run for senate and I hope he wins just so that Durbin can shut up already.

Burris has a huge ego, but he's as dumb as a box of rocks. He doesn't get it, and he never will. It's just more garbage for the good people of Illinois.

So let me get this straight, Dick. You think George Ryan should have his sentence commuted and be released from prison after being convicted on very serious federal corruption charges where he clearly cheated millions out of Illinois taxpayers and killed the Willis children, but you think Roland Burris should resign just because he lied a few times even though no actual wrongdoing has been alleged? I agree Burris needs to go, but so do you. You should both resign. Unbelievable!

C'mon ya crooked lil creep-now you CAN say you were a US Senator. Do the right thing and RESIGN!

Amazing, he has lost the last 2-3 times he has run for office, he lied or failed to mention pertinent information during the Blago hearings, no one elected him to be Senator, and just about everyone at the state level have asked him to resign, including the 2nd in command in the US Senate, and somehow Burris doesn't get the message. What world does he live in, no one wants him there, least of all the people of Illinois. Please Burris, resign before you lose the last shred of dignity that you may have left.

Who do we get to ask Durbin to resign?

Is it me or does Senator Durbin always seem to be about two weeks behind everybody else when he finally comes out of the shadows to declare where he stands on a political issue or event? He seems to be quick when it comes to giving a "definite maybe" but when it comes to being a strong leader in speaking out against political improprieties, Dick Durbin is like reading last week's newspaper.

Have you seen his tombstone? He's not leaving even if there's a fire. He's his biggest fan that he knows of.

Roland needs to hang in there. His continuing presence is a reminder of the depth of corruption that permeates the Democratic party at the national, Congressional and state levels, with the possible exception of Gov. Quinn.
Look at the names: Rangel, Reid, Clinton, Dodd, Geithner, Daschel, Richardson, Blagojevich, et al, all of whom have had either their ethics called into question, admitted wrongdoing, or been convicted. Not to mention innumerable aldermen and appointees. Poster boys and girls for what's wrong with government...in addition to running the country into financial ruin.

The Dems will let him ride just for the vote. In 2010 they will dump him and back another candidate. In the meantime Illinois is stuck with another scandal and someone who is there in the Senate for his own personal gain and ego.

Posted by: vla | February 24, 2009 4:01 PM

Nice coment but may I add-
Who will the Illinos Democrats "clean up to" run against Burris ????

Why not appoint Todd Stroger too and let him and Burris fight to the death for the seat? Peraica can referee the fight, and Daley can back the bets. Winner take all, including bragging rights for most corrupt city in the U.S.

Hmm.........so Durbin (Obama) have suggested he resign......but if he doesn't, of course, he will vote the party (Obama) line for the next two years.....(as he did for the Stimulus)...............and then off in a cloud of dust.....but he will have served his masters well.

Does he say "Yassir, yassir" to Dick and BHO.............or just want to keep up the pretense?

What price ethics and a conscience do our IL pols have? Yuck!

Obama needs his vote, so not one thing will change.

Ooooops......but BHO is the candidate of change, right?????

HaHaHa

An empty suit.

BL

Being a senator is a priviledge, not a right.

Illinois politicians don't RESIGN!

I don't know who the bigger liability to Illinois is, Burris or Durbin. Durbin did a 180 on Burris, and in doing so, demonstrated himself to be as corrupt as the rest of the Illinois pols. Unfortunately, Durbin was just re-elected, and we're stuck with him for 6 more years. I, for one, am kicking myself for voting for him. Hey, GOP: Illinois from top to bottom is your game to lose.

I am totally amazed! How can this man believe that he has support from the citizens of Illinois. I live downstate and this man cannot even begin to be the kind of Senator we need in Washington. He is joining the elite group of our ex-governor and the senator who didn't resign after he was caught in the restroom. Senator Burris, please reconsider and put our state first. Apparently you want this seat far too much so I have to wonder why.

Hey NorthSider72, nobody elected the new N.Y. senator either. Should she resign? Nobody elected Quinn as governor, should he resign? Sen. Burris has done nothing wrong and should remain in office and hopefully run for reelection. He has excelled during his short time in office and won over many people with his quiet grace and dignity while everyone around him is losing their head with hysteria.

Democrats are ALL such Losers!

How long does Burris need to stay in the senate to claim his pension check? If there is a minimum time, then we know when he will resign.
Kind of like the woman who took the Cook County President between the strogers

Check your facts Durbin haters. Durbin did ask for a special election...he was the first to suggest it.

Mr. Burris..

Please resign ...you are embarrassing the entire state!!!! We don't want you to
represent our state / our beliefs/ our people!

Can they both go?

Is there ANYONE who supports Burris in keeping the seat that has sordid corruption clouded all over it (besides his warped Blago-like ego)? Each day makes Burris look worse and worse and tars what used to be a solid record.

I don't think he needs to resign. He should retire after this term though.

How about if Burris stays and Durbin resigns? Burris may be dead wrong about his "qualifications" but at least he stands up for what he believes to be true. Senator Durbin, you need to stiffen your spine a little more.

well what non white guy will the machine run now.to be our beloved senator

Posted by: tony Ha Ha | February 24, 2009 4:10 PM

Todd Stogger, President of The Cook County Board. has tremenodus clout,
plus he backed Obama for President.

durbin should resign after he wanted george ryan out of prison. personally, i feel burris
is more qualified and more capable than durbin after some of the nutty things he has come up with.

The laughing continues across the nation at the seemingly endless circus of knuckleheads in the Land of Lincoln- Ryan, Blago, Burris and Barry- Oh my!!

I am so happy that Burris has the balls to stand against Durbin or any of those who would have the nerve to call for him to resign, why don't they resign they have been there forever. They know Burris is not the typical club member, hes not only darker hes independant and they fear anyone they can't control in the good old boys club on the hill. Hang in there Burris allot of smart people know whats going on.

If Roland Burris was looking for a real memorable ending, regardless of whether it was good or bad, to an otherwise unmemorable political career, then he's right on the money (no pun intended).

Isn't it special how the Democrats used Burris when they needed his vote, until the "stimulus" was passed, then suddenly treat him like yesterday's garbage as soon as the bill was signed? And how exactly are Obama and Emanuel any better than Burris?
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Although he now pretends he barely knew him, Obama basically planned Blago's 2004 gubernatorial victory with Emanuel, and campaigned enthusiastically... even though David Axelrod declined to join the effort, citing "concerns" about how Blago operated.
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Obama later bought that nice, big house with financial help from his longtime political patron, slumlord/felon Tony Rezko... and real estate agent Patti Blagojevich. This was only admitted by Obama when the Chicago Sun Times ran an expose on it. Interestingly, Hot Rod's wife was the agent on many of Rezko's real estate transactions that appear to be pay-to-play political payoffs.
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And Blago's staff were obviously talking to someone from Team Obama, as on the FBI tapes they said Obama could provide seats on corporate boards for Patti Blagojevich if Jarrett was appointed to the Senate seat... and that Obama had to "suck it up" for a couple years. Does that mean to he had to temporarily refrain from illegal activities? That's sure what it sounds like.
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And Obama said he never talked to Blago about the senate seat, and has even implied he had no input on who should take his seat for the balance of his term... when 3 news outlets and David Axelrod stated that he met with Blago the day after the election, Nov 5th... and specifically to discuss who would get his seat. Who would possibly believe Obama's far-fetched story?
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The whole thing stinks like trash-truck juice. Barack Obama has more explaining to do than Senator Burris- if the press would just stop kissing his posterior for a freakin minute.
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http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/2008/12/illinois-institute-of-kleptocracy.html

Durbin is a political coward.
Listening to an interview of him played on WLS AM radio, he wouldn't answer the question, "should Burris resign?"

His response was that Durbin told Burris that if it was him (Durbin) he would resign. Way to walk the fence Dick. All stories have two sides, and you are on both of them.

As a former resident of Illinois, I believe the only way to get an uncorrupt politician for this senate seat is to look far beyond its borders. In the same way that Patrick Fitzgerald's services were needed for garbage removal. When the voters look they should get a replacement for Dick ( I wanna pardon by buddy George Ryan) Durbin--the jacka**!

Maybe Burris should resign. Maybe he shouldn't. I would not if I were in his shoes. On the other hand, I think Durbin should resign. Harry Reid should consider it too. Both Durbin and Reid initially said that there is no way that Burris will be allowed into the Senate. Then they crumbled under pressure and changed their minds. Now, they feel the heat once again and think Burris should go. Well, had Durbin and Reid stuck to their beliefs the first time, Burris might not be a senator. It is up to the Senate to kick Burris out, if that's what they really want. The leadership of the Democratic Party in the Senate is severely lacking. And one wonders why nothing is being fixed? Blame it all on Burris.

I wrote to Durbin before Burris was seated to say that he shouldn't seat him. Any reputable candidate would not have accepted under the circumstances.

Durbin replied that seating him was the right thing to do. Interesting how quickly he changed his tune.

Durbin should have resigned when he lied about our troops

there are more than a few political writers who should resign. why don't they?

Burris will not resign because he needs the senate pension, and the security he gets from it in his golden years. Surely he beleives the chance of re-election had left the stable weeks back. He will ride out the media barrage and be able to retire comfortably.

my $.02

Burris is a horses ass. We used to have award that to the brother (fraternity) that had embarassed us in front of our peers. It was not handed out much but burris would surely get the honoe, we most likely would have retired the trophy to him based on his conduct so far. He must be related to the a@@ whole driver on Division today. Two peas in a pod.

Burris held statewide office, what, 4 terms?

Never a credible suggestion of any impropriety.

This just boils down to, he asked some friends if they would put on a fundraiser for Rod B, the answer was "no", and he told the brother that their answer was "no".

Big deal.

He should not resign.

Let this guy keep his job till 2010, and let's hope he runs... the negative publicity for the Democrats is priceless. What's especially sweet about this, is the fact he'll be voting on national issues...in the Messiahs' old seat to boot. He will be the proverbial "pinata" for Republicans, the press, talk radio and tv, editorials, and maybe we might even hear from the " Grey Lady" at some point. He's the gift that will keep on giving, and lend no credence to the Dems.' and the multitude of socialist bills that will inevitably come down the pike. Let us on the other side remember, when the Dems.' are digging a deep, wide hole for themselves, we must make sure their shovel is sharp and wide.

Morganstern : You left out Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Malloy, Mr. Murtha, Ms. Franks, and the Biden family, surely part of your et.al. One can only imagine the bucket of "crap" Blago. will bring with him when he goes to trial, 21 hours with that little rascal Rahm...should be very interesting ladies and gentlemen.

Burris has NO shame!

Roland Burris running for Senate in 2010?

You gotta be kidding. Maybe if the voting was limited to south side of Chicago, then he'd stand a snowball's chance. But then, only because he's entitled as a black man.

The rest of the state is not so stupid or racist or narrow-minded.

Burris has done much more damage to the psyche of Illinois residents than he is willing to admit.

The lack of trust in our leaders here in Illinois is very frightful and does not inspire the confidence we need to help us get out of this downward spiral

Burris needs to go.

omg I DON'T CARE!!!!
WE'RE KILLING PEOPLE WHO DID NOTHING TO US IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN AND IT'S COSTING US A FREAKING FORTUNE!
IT'S NOT THE 'BAD MORTGAGES!
IT'S THE STUCK ON STUPID WAR FOR THE OIL COMPANIES.
IT DOESN'T MAKE US SAFER.
IT MAKES US LESS ENEMIES!!!!

Burris should stay on as a Senator. I would rather have him then that spineless money gabbing Dick Durbon.

Why did you guys vote for that guy.

Why why why

The bottom line is very simple.

Roland Burris should resign now.

He can continue to steadfastly refuse to do so, but all he will do is end up being the most ineffective, least influential Senator serving in office right now.

Any opinions he may have will be ignored. Any proposals he makes will be denied on the spot. Any bills he attempts to submit will be shelved. His vote on any issue will be counted as being worthless. Any support he may need will be no where to be seen. He will be alone.

His term will most likely be a term served in shadows, until he eventually sees things as they are and either resigns or expect to be voted out in 2010.

Regardless of how he perceives things, as of right now and until he either leaves or is forced out of office, Roland Burris is a Senator in name only.

And that is all he will ever be.

Did Buriss perjure himself or not? If so, why isn't he charged and tried?

Martha Stewart spent 6 months in the can for lying to investigators under oath. Just because he's in the Senate should not make him any more immune to jail than MS. If he did not perjure himself, let him alone. If he did, try him and if he's convicted put him in jail just like her.

As usual, Dick Durbin nails it. Blago managed to appoint someone just as sleazy and self-serving has he is, as his parting shot. Senator Durbin is one of the best senators in the U.S. senate, and I am proud to be represented by him. I would like to have another senator I can be proud of, and Roland Burris ain't it.

What a fine conundrum for the Dems. Rodland is gonna kick sand in the faces of Rochard Durbin and all the rest of the Illinois hot shots. Hope he runs in 2010....all the Repubs have to do is groom an unknown precinct commiteeman from downstate and they'll win going away.

Meanwhile we will again suffer the malfesance of Burris inconsistent and obviously unexplainable inability to even tell a lie correctly. He is an unelected, unqualified, unwanted representative who has usurped our rights to representation in the Senate. In spite of all his tired prostestations, there is not an honest or honorable bone in his body.

The only way for things to change in Illinois is if we can get enough people to send in letters of disapproval with how this state is run. The more letters, the more effective.

I don't get how anybody can say Burris did not do anything wrong. He flip floped on not wanting the governor appointing anyone to the senate seat until he was named. He played the race card (should of played the midget card). Showed up at the ILL. Senate to testify truthfully about pay to play for his senate seat and failed to tell anyone that he tried to raise funds for the gov at the same time he was actively soliciting the senate seat. Also: Hey Durbin what do you think your encore next week will be for the people of Ill. ask the president to give a pass to both Ryan and Blogo maybe you can pass a law... Bad politicians get rewarded (double pensions) for bad behavior.

" his fellow senators shook his hand as they encountered him, but few walked up to greet him."

He should be treated as the pariah he is.

Durbin should just shut up.

He had his 15 minutes.

Now he wants an hour.