BREAKING NEWS:
Illinois Governor Blagojevich is set to announce his selection to replace Barack Obama in the Senate. This from CNN.
.
(CNN)– Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected Tuesday to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, CNN affiliates the Chicago Tribune and WLS-TV reported, citing sources familiar with the decision.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ignored calls to resign after his arrest on federal corruption charges.
Burris’ appointment would fill President-elect Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. Blagojevich is to announce his choice at a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.
Burris, 71, is African-American. According to the newspaper, he expressed interest in the Senate seat shortly after the November 4 election.
The news comes as Democratic leaders in the Senate warned that they would reject any Senate pick made by Blagojevich, who faces criminal charges.
The Senate Leadership insists they will not seat Burris. Senate Majority Leader Reid is said to be preparing a response that says as much. Many folks are already speculating that this appointment to the Senate is simply posturing by Blagojevich to demonstrate legitimacy. The argument is that recognition of the appointment shows the senate recognizes the legitimacy of the Governor. Burris is a long time Chicago pol. The Chicago Drama will undoubtedly escalate. As expected, the Hawaii branch of Chicago-style politics has yet to respond. How will the WORM turn?
Filed under: Barack Obama, Chicago Tammany Hall, Democratic Party, Politics | Tagged: Blagojevich, Harry Reid, Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, Senate appointment
So maybe, after all, Blago isn’t as dumb as a box of bricks? Sounds like a decent appointment – let’s see how stupid//puffed up the IL lege gets now. Burris looks to be a far better, more experienced public servant than the previous place holder. But we’re not going to hear that reported, no way, no how.
I with I could be a fly on the wall during these decision making times.
I have news too:
BREAKING NEWS!
Damn it—they have found and published Obama’s official birth certificate.
Why now?
Go to http://www.tinyurl.com/9bteo9 to read all about it!
What I want to know is how close Burris and Obambi are …methinks some googling is in order.
Link to money that has supported him at the past:
http://www.ilcampaign.org/oldsite/careerpatrons/candidates/burris.html
Will the Dems actually reject this guy? They’re not known for their backbone. If O wants him will they still say no?
This from another blog:
Burris, who has racked up an impressive record of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor (a humiliating drop-out defeat against Richard Daley) to governor (for which he struck out THREE times at bat –1994, 1998 and 2002, against Blagojevich) and U.S. senator (which he lost VERY badly against challenger Paul Simon), informs us that Obama’s replacement should be able to win a re-election.
And, in spite of Roland’s embarrassing string of primary losses (where he actually has to be ELECTED by the people of Chicago) he’s never lost to a Republican.
Roland Martin is already saying Burris is a legit choice and that the appointment would be welcomed by AA. Says he’s a major vote getter and major pol, and well liked. He thinks if folks are going to go against Burris based on it’s just blago’s choice then it’s going to pit the dem party against the AA’s in the city.
This could get ugly if Harry Reid really rejects a 71 year old black guy. Blago is no dummy.
Seems to me to be a pretty savvy choice. He’s going to set the party against each other rather than united against him.
roland martin thinks anyone black is legit, havent you noticed that lately
Im sure Donna Godzilla would agree, they are all corrupt in chicago ….what a freak show
When Obama hears about this he’s gonna furrow his brow and let loose with a string of uh uh uh ums.
He’s registered as a lobbyist in Washington and Illinois.
Thing is, at 71, Burris isn’t likely to be in Congress for the long haul. But please, whatever happens, don’t let this become another blasted racial deal. “You’re a racist if… Had enough of that this past year to last several lifetimes.
So, why does Burris have so much trouble getting elected in Illinois? Is he honest or something?
Is lobbyist a bad word? It seems I’m constantly in moderation.
Reid says he’s blocking him.
RD: probably because he’s gone for statewide office and the rest of the state hates Chicago
Reid is pathetic. And worse.
obama will probably just stay hidden in honolulu … he’s the only virgin in the whorehouse that IS chicago politics, you know … wouldn’t want to corrupt those virgin ears or lips
Maybe Blago just wanted someone with like initials?
Score one for Blago.
Fox said Burris has agreed to be a ‘caretaker’ for a few years
Betcha Reid blinks before Blago.
CNN should stay on top of this. The Dems have already offically rejected seating Roland Burris. It ain’t gonna happen.
Really – I don’t think even a gifted and creative script writer could come up with this kind of stuff!
I don’t trust anyone that a corrupt politician has placed in power. Why should Blago appoint someone who is NOT corrupt already? Especially when he has shown the disregard he has for our government by putting the senate seat up for the auction.
oops, that post was by me. I didn’t realize my sister’s fiance visited wordpress websites.
Blago’s replacement can reappoint Burris, and then Reid will take him? Is that what they want?
Cinie: i won’t take that bet, but if you find some one that will let me know …
BB, I agree with you Reid will look bad rejecting a 71 year old African American. I think on this one, game to Blago.
The IL sec of state says he will reject paperwork from Blago.
Blago is a damn pit bull, that li’l shit just will not let go.
“Caretaker” for whom?
Dakinikat, from Politico:
“It’s unclear whether Reid has the power to block Burris’ appointment. Senate leaders discussed the impending announcement on a conference call Tuesday afternoon.
John Fortier, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, wrote in a Politico Ideas piece this month that the Senate doesn’t have the power to reject the appointment.”
Toothless saber-rattling.
Reid blinked before he opened his mouth.
this is so interesting … i’d say there’s some karma ripening in the corrupt DNC
and Kim, i gotta say I love it … if this doesn’t just muck up the upcoming coronation for the one ….
ooh, Congressman Rush is saying this is a good decision …
and yup, it has started … AA’s don’t want to give up the one senate seat they had and I don’t blame them … if it goes up to election it could even go to a repub
The Constitution says “Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members …”
I think it would be pretty unprecedented to reject someone, but I would think that if the state secretary of state blocks it, the Senate won’t have to make a decision.
The man has a lot of gaul, but what was Roland supposed to do? Not take the seat? I mean he is sort of between a rock and a hard place.
TheRealKim: That is so true. I’m from IL and I hate him. He took money out of my parents Soc. Sec. Checks and that is how they get by from month to month. Now they lost about $400 cause of him. So he should just stop and not even be on TV.
Rush is saying seperate the appointee from the appointer … and is asking what the people of IL will think of SEC of STATE of he doesn’t certify …
Damn Blago is a pimp! He is playing this amazingly well however this works out. The Rush statement was hilarious.
personally i think the dims are making asses out of themselves. reid and the gang that couldn’t shoot straight in chicago have the cornered the market on stupid. they should seat the guy and thank their lucky stars he gives the appearance of being above the original group of contenders.
can the sec of state not certify?
Well, let’s see if the Democratic Senate rejects him as they stated they would do! If they don’t have a backbone now, they certainly won’t in the next 4 years!
I don’t care how much Obama likes the pick, the Senate needs to stick to its word!
I am absolutely sick and tired of AA’s turing everything into an issue about race. Rush just stated that we need more AA’s in the senate. I disagree. We need the most qualified candidates in the senate whether black or white. We need honest representatives that have very high levels of integrity. Whether that is black or white, I don’t care. I am sick and tired however, of Democrats telling us all that we are racists.
Alice Palmer is both AA *and* a woman. Appointing her would be a twofer. Actually a threefer because Obama stole her state senate seat.
I didn’t even think about her RD. She would be an excellent choice for his replacement, I mean, who knows, maybe she is the one that would have moved on to the state senate seat if he had played fair.
Blago reminds me of a character from the Sopranos, with one exception, before he goes down, I have a feeling he will take everybody with him.
Reject him, Harry, reject him! Piss off the AA. I’ve got a meg of popcorn for this one!
Sadly, politics for me has boiled down to whatever is the most entertaining. There is no justice in it all, so why not go for the entertainment value?
Riverdaughter, yea, but SHE”S A WOMAN, that’s the problem, snark, but I loved the fact that Bobby Rush was there! HA! HA!
Let’s assume for the moment Burris has been a completely honorable politician to-date — accepting an appointment by a completely dishonorable person clearly ruins that presumed record.
I love this post!
I’m so sure that Reid will stand up to the Chicago Machine AND the AA’s at the same time. As IF.
Burris is a done deal.
Really Blago has FUC*ED the Dems, some where I’m not to upset about it all.
Obama’s hiding out .
rattler, why, because he’s appointed by someone who has the stink? If my brother killed someone would I have the stink? HA
Any Blago appointment will have a dark cloud hanging over his head. This is a ploy by Blago, pure and simple. Let them fight over this while he gets his ducks in a row and it just might work.
they’re already talking about the business the city through burris’s companies and his son’s law firm and the estimated $14,000+ donations burris had given to the blago campaign … the more the light shines on chicago pols, the more the WORM turns
All I can say is just more Obamadrama and he hasn’t even been sworn in yet. Love that guilt by association. If it taints Burris, it also taint Obama. It’s his state and he knows all the players really well. Couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch of Dems. Soooo very brave of him to sit it out in Hawaii. Those macadamia nut waffles must be delicious. As an Independent I get to sit back and enjoy the show (and of course every once in a while mumble an I told you so or two).
dankinikat, that’s why I said I’m not to upset about it.
PD, I am afraid you would have the stink, guilt by association. People would not blame you, but they sure as shit would whisper behind your back. It is not fair and it is not right, but it is human nature.
Kat – Isn’t it amazing how Obama contrived to be in Hawaii during the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel and the worst economic report in decades and the public political implosion of his closest friends and allies in Chicago?
And no one in the American press is condemning him for it.
“There’s only one President at a time,” his people admonish us, as if we are children who don’t know this simple fact.
God D*MN but I’m tired of being condescended to by a man who isn’t fit to iron my shirt. I’ve had eight f*cking years of Bush, Cheney, Condi and Rummy peeing down my back and telling me it’s rain. Now Axelrove & Co are going to do the same f*cking thing for the next four years.
Can I just take a nap until Bush III leaves the White House?
Burris gave to Obama and Biden, too.
we should start a pool on how long it will take before some one writes a response of obama to this latest development …
Agree, TheRealKim, Not defending, just hoping Blago, lasts long enough to talk. I guess I’m finding everything funny,HA HA, today. I have plenty of guilt by association in my own family. I thought i was being funny, guess I didn’t make that clear.
everytime I see Axelrove on tv i have to go take a shower
Kat – Hoom, Hoom, Let’s Not Be Hasty.
PE Treebeard strikes again.
repost from previous thread. Good grief. 71 years old and a product of the Machine: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-obama-burris-senate,0,2673663.story
ah, good Jadzia’s here … now we can here what the real deal is
I can’t believe nobody else has gotten a chuckle out of this “I’ve never lost to a Republican” thing. Burris is from the South Side of Chicago! When was the last time ANY Democrat lost to a Republican on the S/S of Chicago?
(asks the former resident of…. the South Side of Chicago)
from Jadzia’s link:
Burris has given more than $20,000 to Blagojevich’s campaign fund on his own and through his consulting and law firms, state campaign finance records show. Burris’ consulting company received about $290,000 in state contracts with the Illinois Department of Transportation a few years ago, according to state comptroller records
What? The Senate that refused to let anyone question the man known as Obama’s credentials is now insisting that they will not allow a long time resident, former Illinois Attorney General and African American to take the Senate seat of the mystery man they worked so hard to install in the presidency!
Now THAT’S racist!!!
Dakinikat — I’d love to hear Afrocity’s take. She’s our current resident Chicagoan, right? I last lived in Chicago in the 1990s. (But it sure is interesting how the cast of characters has remained largely the same — only their offices have, in some cases, changed.)
headline: Obama issues statement on gaza conflict but takes no stance …
and another one from treebeard
yeah, I think she is currently there … but Burris has been around awhile yes?
More interesting tidbits, to be analyzed by people smarter than me: RB is the former executive director of Operation PUSH, and later was Illinois’ first AA attorney general: http://www.answers.com/topic/roland-burris (don’t know how good a source this is).
PD. not judging, believe me. I have a jailbird in my family and if I had a nickel for everytime someone whispered behind my back, I could afford to help RD out with some new furniture.
I can hear them now, “She’s a nice girl, bless her heart, but that cousin of hers (tsk tsk, while making those rolling eyes expression).”
yes, i read that. he does have connections to JJ Sr.
Dakinikat,
Was Obama wearing the white golfing shirt that showed his man boobs? Did he follow up his nonstatement with “now watch this shot?”
Jadzia, from what I have heard, if they have left, they made sure their kids, cousins, etc have taken their place.
Burris has been in Chicago politics since the late 1960s or early 1970s, IIRC. Active in the civil rights movement in his younger years, later on seems to have gotten along with the Machine very well.
oh dear, not the bless her heart ….
Kim,
That’s how it happens in Boston. And lots of relatives get no-show jobs as toll takers, etc.
Don’t want to get too close to transportation; Valerie Jarrett was head of the Chicago Transit Board for a while and was even mentioned in regards to Secretary of transportation at one time. She also has ties to University of Chicago, the hospital board and other stuff I’m sure Obie doesn’t want probed.
http://www-news.uchicago.edu/releases/06/060613.governance.shtml
Hey all – NEW POST UP!!
Wanna see what a REALLY qualified Senate candidate would look like?
Why am I in moderation?
NEW POST UP!!!
I hope to God Harry Reid does issue a statement rejecting Burris — the reaction will be that Reid is a r@cist — & while I don’t know if that is true (after all, the guy doesn’t like tourists of any color) I will sit back & relish it.
TRK: Ha ha ha. Although sadly the first name that came to my mind when I read your comment was Lisa Madigan. Although we ARE talking about the town that brought us the Daleys, the Jacksons, the Joneses (Emil Jr. and Emil III), etc etc etc…
Headline should read: Blago single handedly reinvigorates economy with attorney reemployment act
There are lawsuits galore out of this. If the Ill. SoS refuses to certify, there’s one. The SoS would lose since the act of certification is a ministerial act and therefore not discretionary.
Then there is the action against Reid and his band of merry senators. Reid and his band shouldn’t make any concert dates since they would lose.
If they seat Burris and then try to eject him with a two-thirds vote, there’s another lawsuit.
Gotta give it to Blago, he’s great theater — he should replace Ripley and have his own, “Believe it or Not.”
and still no word from waffles obama
“There’s only one President at a time.” Really? Well, maybe you should stop jetting off on foreign junkets and toting around all those stupid imitation presidential seals, flags and signs.
This is the sort of sh!t we’re gonna have to put up with for the next four years. BO will only want to play President when he feels like it. It makes one wonder if he’s just gonna collapse with the vapors once he’s actually faced with the reality of the huge job he just got handed.
gxm17 – I feel like he’s going to be on vacation most of the time. He will make Bush look like he loves “hard work.”
anjienc2, I guess that’s what i’ve been trying to convey in my snark, somehow this big pile of sh*t is just funny. We were the first (women) under the bus. I don’t even want “the late to the bottom of the bus “with us. I get some enjoyment of being first. HeHe
Ok is reid vs the Chicago Machine….
Ok I am back on waffles as of the 1st of Jan 2009
I love watching the democrats finally snatching defeat from the jaws of victroy….
Bag-o-chips sing my friend sing!
We in the military would call this a Hoop Snake Operation these guys are going to start at their own tail and basically eat themselves!
Angie Madamab and RD please pass me the kettle corn oh and I think we all deserve real butter and salt on this one….
RD we didnt even have to wait till Jan 20th-Scamalot has desided to run a few weeks early!
Prolix, on December 30th, 2008 at 4:26 pm Said:
——-
Unbelieveable, isn’t it?? Pass the popcorn.
Challenge, can anyone prove this wrong?:–
1. Constitution Article II requires USA President to be “natural born citizen”.
2. BHO’s website admits his dad was Kenyan/British, not American, citizen when BHO was born.
3. BHO is therefore not a “natural born citizen” (irrespective of Hawaiian birth or whether he may be a 14th Amendment “citizen” of USA) — as confirmed in the Senate’s own McCain qualification resolution agreed to by BHO.
4. Supreme Court has already docketed two upcoming conferences, 1/9/09 and 1/16/09 — between dates Congress counts electoral votes (1/8/09) and Presidential inauguration (1/20/09) — to address Berg Case and fashion relief on BHO’s eligibility to be President.
5. Since no facts are in dispute, Supreme Court rules on Summary Judgment to enjoin BHO’s inauguration as President.
6. Therefore, BHO is not inaugurated as President.
7. Vice President Elect Biden is inaugurated Acting President under the 20th Amendment to serve until new President is determined — the procedure for which determination to be set out by Congress and/or the Supreme Court so long as in conformance with the Constitution.
The Ill. Sec. of State was on NPR and stated he would not certify Burris but it didn’t matter, his signature wasn’t necessary for the Burris appointment to pass on to the U.S. Senate. Of course the media will neglect to report this fact.
Blago is scum no doubt about it, but he is innocent until proven guilty and he IS governor until and IF the Ill. State Legislature impeaches him.
How the hell can Reid and other senators say they won’t confirm Burris? For what reason? Burris is experienced and qualified. The Gov. is serving legitimately.
PEBO stated today the Senate shouldn’t confirm Burris…does Obama think HE should choose his replacement?
Blago is accused of attempting to sell O’s senate seat however do we know as yet if Obama or his team made a winning bid??
Recently, governor Rod Blagojevich was accused of selling the seat of Barack Obama to the “highest bidder.” This seat was given to Ronald Burris, who is of course, implicated in the very wrongdoing that the governor has been accused of. This dramatic media hype has been blown completely out of proportion, as the accusations are based only on hearsay and gossip. It is becoming increasingly clearer that this country operates under the assumption that one is always guilty until proven innocent. If the governor is guilty of any nefarious activities such as the one mentioned above, then there would be solid evidence against him. If there is no solid evidence to present in a court of law, then there is no evidence against him, thus reducing the accusations to false accusations.
Why does our country always operate in this manner? It seems that even the president-elect Barack Obama has fallen into this trap of casting blame on the accused governor, and told him that he should step down from his position of power as governor, based only on gossip or accusations in rumor. This decision was based on little information. This is not how our country should operate, and I refuse it to continue to operate as such. Why is our country so dumb? Aren’t we smarter than this?
Roland Burris stands defiant, because he does not associate himself with the decisions of the governor. As long as the governor is still in power, Roland Burris has every right to be the appointee, until the governor has been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Basically, until that day comes, the appointment of Roland Burris should not be “tainted,” rather, it should be allowed. It may not pass the Senates approval, because the Senate operates under the assumption of the issue stated above… they base all of their opinions on very little evidence. They see these things as an accusation equaling guilt. This is the same thing as guilty until proven innocent. This is the same thing as innocent until indicted, which is anything other than innocent until proven guilty. This is not how our country should continue to operate. The Senate is defiant in stating that “it will block” any appointments made by the accused governor. This is not right. He has been accused, with no evidence. This is guilt before evidence. I do not get it.
The Governor is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or until the Ill. State Legislature removes him.
Constitutional scholar (??) Obama publicly stated yesterday the Senate should not seat Burris.
A constitutional scholar on NPR this AM said Blago legally can appoint Burris and the Ill. Sec. of State can’t prevent this from happening. The U.S. Senate cannot refuse to seat Burris without legitimate cause. What the senators can do, is delay the process.
This scholar further stated this issue has already been settled by the Supreme Court. Do you suppose lauded consitutional scholar Obama wasn’t aware of this fact?
Or are Obama and his team continuing to b.s. the American public as they have since first coming on the national scene?