by Frank James
When we heard White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs talking during his media briefing yesterday about how Sen. Roland Burris, aka, "The Real Roland," should spend his weekend, a few of us reporters heard what we thought sounded like an ominous warning:
And I think it might be important for Senator Burris to take some time this weekend to either correct what has been said and certainly think of what lays in his future.
That sounded like one of those "messages" you never want to get from the Chicago Mob.
Clearly, the White House would like to see the Burris story go away, embarrassing distraction that it is.
So was this the White House's way of saying to Burris, "Nice mausoleum you got there; sure would hate to see anything happen to it?"
Or did it portend that he might be receiving a dead fish, like what reportedly happened to a pollster who once got on the wrong side of Rahm Emanuel, now White House chief of staff?
It all reminded us of that famous scene from the Godfather where the Hollywood mogul wakes up in bed next to a horse's head. Not good.
Burris doesn't seem to be taking advice from the Tribune these days. After all, the Chicago Tribune editorial just advised him to resign and he hasn't... yet.
But he might want to sleep with one eye open.
Comments
If Roland Burris continues his story telling, he will qualify as nothing more than a dark shade of Rod Blagojevich. The Real Roland should step up, bow out and retire. Unfortunately, he chose a very inappropriate way to climb the political ladder. He will go out in shame if he doesn't resign.
Posted by: JK | February 21, 2009 2:27 PM
They are going about this Roland Burris issue all wrong.
Senator Burris is not motivated by threats but is motivated by a very large ego. If Senator Burris steps down we should be willing to rename State Street " Roland Burris Avenue". A true monument befitting his stature in Illinois Politics.
Posted by: Bushwacker | February 21, 2009 3:34 PM
stay strong, Roland - you haven't done anything the rest of them don't do - barter for campaign contributions!!
Posted by: Jane | February 21, 2009 5:37 PM
Burris is our best bet. There all tainted.
Posted by: John Olson | February 21, 2009 5:49 PM
The above story reminds me of that scene in "Casino" when a mafia don not-so-subtly suggests that "maybe [Robert DeNiro] should get out of Vegas." The don's emissary (played by Alan King) then tells DeNiro, "This is like a papal bull. When [the don] says that 'maybe' you should get out, you should RUN."
Posted by: MarkJ | February 21, 2009 6:07 PM
Keep at him Frank, your bloodhound instincts and journalism are boasting the hearts and minds of most Il. voters. I will go out to the barn and check on my horses.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 21, 2009 7:19 PM
Axelrod should have Obama nominate Burris for Commerce Secretary. Once the Senate has confirmed Burris (as a professional courtesy), he will resign and Quinn can appoint Lisa Madigan to fill Obama's old seat. Then, Quinn can run for re-election without serious opposition. Every(Democratic)body wins!
Posted by: Kneave Riggall | February 21, 2009 9:19 PM
I could care LESS about the soap box opera that is the blago burris kerfuffle.
OBAMA SAID HE WAS THE PEACE CANDIDATE. AND HE'S GOING DOWN THE SAME ROAD LBJ DID.
"HEY! HEY! LBJ! HOW MANY KIDS DID YOU KILL TODAY?"
HEY! HEY! OBAMA! HOW DO YOU SAY 'HE'S DEAD' TO HIS MAMA!
Posted by: WTF!!!--VOTE GREEN!!!! instand runoff 2nd choice ballot for a real CHANGE. | February 21, 2009 10:24 PM
It was reported last night that Burris spent quite some time talking to the Feds yesterday. Any infor from that meeting?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | February 22, 2009 6:46 AM
When you read a news story, like this one, 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? It is my opinion that the local press is bias in my Henry County Illinois Case No. 08-TR-8934, and that the Kewanee IL Star Courier newspaper (800-397-7827) falsely reported to the Kewanee Police Department on October 21, 2008 that I was stepping out into traffic when I was information picketing against State's Attorney Terry Patton re-election by their building. Their complaint led to my arrest on November 2, 2008 for obstructing traffic while information picketing again by their building. On Friday, February 20, 2009, I showed the Star Courier Publisher Dee Evans the Police Report that they reported me and she said that she would investigate. Will the Star Courier ever write an Editorial apologizing for falsely reporting me while exercising my rights to free speech by their building? The Court in Cambridge IL will hear my compel motion on Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 10 A.M. I believe the local press has improperly abused me by falsely reporting that I was obstructing traffic and then not covering the case and my belief that I am being charged because I campaigned against Henry County State¹s Attorney Terry Patton¹s Nov. 4th re-election. I believe Mr. Patton uses improper tactics to get his way, the way of his friends, and/or to add expenses to defendants who do not cooperate with him. When will the media begin to present both sides of a story fairly? What do we need to do to require that of the media? VoteNoParty member Cecil James Roth
Posted by: Cecil Roth | February 23, 2009 11:27 AM
How can all these crooks be so judgemental of each other. We need to start over.
Posted by: Jerry | February 23, 2009 3:17 PM