Roland Burris has been a pretty lonely guy since he came to Washington. Maybe some new staffers will help. (Tribune photo at Tuesday's congressional address by Zbigniew Bdzak.)
by James Oliphant
Sen. Roland "What me worry?" Burris is not only ignoring calls for him to resign his seat.
He is staffing up.
Burris Wednesday announced he has hired two senior staff members for his Senate office
One, Brady King, will serve as interim chief of staff. The other, Jim O'Connor, will be Burris' communications director and chief spokesman.
King is a Hill veteran. He has worked for Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX), Rep Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) and Sen. Edward Kennedy. (D-Mass.). O'Conner served as press secretary for U.S. Senate candidate Blair Hull in Illinois.
Burris can use the help--if simply to avoid a repeat of Tuesday's elevator incident.
It was also Burris' turn Wednesday to sit in the Big Chair. He served as the president of the Senate during the floor debate on a bill that would grant representation in the House to the District of Columbia.
Follow James Oliphant on Twitter.
Comments
Hey James, please, I know the Republicans have lost there way in following conservative principles but now Senator Kennedy is listed as (R-Tex). Kick again since we are down.
It is just sickening that Burris can continue to serve. I waited for his state listening tour, downstate, to protest but on advice from his attorney he canceled or something like that. "Advice of my attorney" has a nice guilty ring to it. Resign Mr. Roland, you are unfit to serve as my Senator.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 25, 2009 6:41 PM
Can we start the Mark Kirk campaign now, please? If Durbin and Reid want him gone so much why hasn't he been stripped of his committee assignments?
Posted by: Jeff | February 25, 2009 6:54 PM
The little Emperor doesn't recognize that he has no clothes on, but even when pointed out to him, Roland doesn't care. He already gets to chisel US Senator* on his masoleum. Pariah and constant reminder to ALL that Illinois is the bastion of ethics and patronage. We don't need a special election. Somebody's Daddy is already making certain that their son/daughter gets elected.
Posted by: karl | February 25, 2009 6:56 PM
I hope he stays.
Fundamentally he has not done anything wrong.
If the bloggers want to attack a senator, may I suggest the be-diapered Sen. Vitter?
Posted by: ornery | February 25, 2009 9:02 PM
" Sen. Edward Kennedy. (R-Tex.)." It's STILL there! Could someone please correct Oliphant's obvious incompetence?
Posted by: Jeff | February 26, 2009 1:35 AM
Fundamentally he has not done anything wrong. ornery
Paraphrased:
Jan 5th - I had no contact with Blago or anyone affiliated with him. Jan 8th - oh that's right, I talked to Lon Monk about the position and maybe some of my "friends" (leaves out the friends names). February...new affidavit and at a meeting in Chicago -- he spoke to several people including Blago's brother and lead fund raiser...but I couldn't raise any funds for him so that doesn't count as pay-to-play. I think constantly changing what the "truth" is counts for fundamentally wrong.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | February 26, 2009 7:02 AM
Sen.Burris please do not give up the ship. These people that are calling for you to step down are just part of the good old boy system. And your going against the grain. They don't like the fact that they can't control you, Don't sell your self short, and by all means run again in 2012. Thank you.
Posted by: Paul | February 26, 2009 10:13 AM
Alright, somebody finally corrected gaffe-a-day Oliphant! Paul, you and your pal Burris are more of a joke today than they were yesterday.
Posted by: Jeff | February 26, 2009 1:48 PM
This reminds me of the "pack effect" where mindless people jump on the bandwagon to join the mob and vent their intrinsic venom on their fellow human beings. It's a sad commentary. Is compassion and justice a lost art?
Posted by: Trudy | February 26, 2009 10:25 PM