by Mark Silva
Apparently, Sen. Roland Burris didn't do as much thinking about his future as the White House suggested he might do over the weekend.
Burris (D-Ill.) plans to return to Washington in time to attend President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night at 9m EST.
Burris was in Chicago today, according to his office, but planned to return to Washington to conduct legislative business and attend Obama's speech to the House and Senate.
The governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn, has called on Burris to resign from the Senate after acknowledging that he tried to help raise campaign money for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him to the seat before impeachment.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill) has not called for Burris to resign, saying he wants to meet with Burris in person before commenting further. A meeting is being scheduled.
Burris holds the seat that Obama forfeited to run and win election as president. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had suggested last week that Burris should 'take some time over the weekend'' to think about his future.
Sen. Roland Burris pictured above at his home in Chicago on Sunday, photo by Paul Beaty / AP. Wire services contributed to this report.
Comments
Well, we know that he is running up lots of travel bills, going back and forth. Spending "our" money in tough times. What a scumbag! It is hard to look at him....makes me furious every time I see him and that grin!
Posted by: jacksplat | February 23, 2009 2:55 PM
That smug smile he wears everywhere he goes is the new fad for politicians. Giving us the 'watcha gonna do about it?' grin makes one want to hurl. I hope this guy is not flatulent, the media will probably report the event. Does anyone in our political system follow the rule of LAW any longer when it comes to alleged misconduct, snubbing Constitutional law, or malfeasance in government? If so, this guy should be sweating out some serious hearings in Illinois(e). He's out taking a stroll in Washington D.C. as if he does not have a care in the world.
Posted by: therockofages | February 23, 2009 3:08 PM
WHY are we paying for this; SOMEONE needs to do something now? What are you waiting for? Illinois is the laughing stock of the COUNTRY.
Posted by: southlooper | February 23, 2009 3:09 PM
Don't forget Sen Burris holds the RACE CARD, just look how quiet the Illinois Democats are, including Obama.
Posted by: Inky | February 23, 2009 3:13 PM
RB No. 2:
Roland Burris is the corrupt legacy of Rod Blagojevich, who successfully played the "race" card and left his filthy imprint.
Posted by: Al Strap | February 23, 2009 3:22 PM
Did anyone think he would do the right thing and resign ? Ole Tombstone egotistical politician, putting himself above the"PEOPLE" sounds a lot like his buddy Blaggo !
Posted by: Tony | February 23, 2009 3:57 PM
Please correct the next to last sentence. Obama didn't forfeit his seat to run for president. He ran for president while being paid to be our senator. So as bad as the liar Burris is, at least he is working harder to be senator then the man he replaced. Maybe the next guy will do the job. Couldn't be worse then these 2 were.
Posted by: Mike Hunt | February 23, 2009 4:08 PM
Leave the man alone. Roland Burris is a 71-year-old man unless you want to give him a stroke or a fatal heart attack.
Posted by: nathan | February 23, 2009 4:13 PM
At least he is working; doing what he was appointed to do!
This is unlike Congressman Mark Kirk and Congressman Peter Roskam both of whom, it was reported on tv, today attended a meeting on food safety for the American people which quickly turned into a meeting on their suggesting that we hold an election to replace Senator Burris.
Incidentally, it was mentioned by a political analyst that each of these congressmen would like to be on that ballot.
I don't know about you; however, I firmly believe that those two men should be concentrating on the jobs they now have instead of doing what might be considered campaigning for their next job on our dime (when there isn't even a scheduled election).
Does that seem honorable to you? To me, the ulterior motives are obvious!
Posted by: Rita Brunn | February 23, 2009 4:19 PM
So Kirk and Roskam are scoundrals for holding a meeting on food safety? Seems as though this issue would be part of their job?
Were you so saddened by Barack Obama campaigning for the presidency for 18 months while he was supposed to be doing his job?
I don't think you were Rita.
Posted by: springfield | February 23, 2009 4:38 PM
The guy should have quit before, what makes anyone think he'll quit now? He's just daring anyone to do anything to him, being a bro and all. What's funny is that we won't. No....sorry, that's very sad, very.
Posted by: jfr | February 23, 2009 4:43 PM
Obama did not "forfieit" this seat to run for president. He resigned the seat after being elected president.
Posted by: Randy | February 23, 2009 4:49 PM
Just another Illinois scumbag.
Posted by: Steve | February 23, 2009 4:51 PM
Springfield, please read my post more carefully!
Posted by: Rita Brunn | February 23, 2009 5:02 PM
"Springfield, please read my post more carefully! "
I did and it still makes no sense.
Posted by: chris | February 23, 2009 5:27 PM
Rita's post is quite clear; what are you guys drinking?
Posted by: Flo | February 23, 2009 6:26 PM
They are dirty for holding a meeting on food safety?
Posted by: Don | February 23, 2009 7:56 PM
This whole thing is ginned up by politicians who want this seat.
Burris hasn't said or done anything any of the other senators hasn't done in the past.
So go pick on a senator who's really done bad things.
Like the one from Louisiana who paid prostitutes to diaper him--Vitter, wasn't it?
Go rail on him awhile and let Burris alone.
Posted by: ornery | February 23, 2009 11:02 PM
Congratulations, Senator! It now looks certain that you will get away with the misrepresentations and evasions you used to get seated in the Senate.
Now, just say you won't run in 2010 to take the heat off, then change your mind later this year and say it's because the country needs you. When you do so, be sure to make some comments about your patriotism and desire to serve, and hint at playing the race card again.
I intend to use this as a lesson to my children in how to get ahead in life: don't tell the truth if it's inconvenient or damaging - look at how well it worked out for Senator Burris. Lie and withhold facts in order to get ahead - look how far you can go!
Posted by: billp | February 24, 2009 1:55 PM