DISQUS

Laura · 11 months ago

The man's been inscribing his own tombstone with his lifetime achievements. He ain't going nowhere until they throw him out.

screech · 11 months ago

Yeah, what Laura said. Burris will only leave kicking and screaming.

Older_Wiser · 11 months ago

I disagree because your fundamental objections are not backed by facts. Say what you will about Blago, Burris was legally appointed by a sitting elected governor and should remain in the Senate until the 2010 election. Let the people of IL decide then if they think he's doing a right job of it, or if they want someone different. Why shouldn't they have the same opportunity as, say, the people of NY, who had a senator appointed by an appointed (not elected) governor?

Andrew · 11 months ago

John's point isn't that the appointment wasn't legal, but that it was tainted (e.g., there will always be question of what, if anything Burris gave Blago in exchange for the appointment).

Rest assured, either way we of Illinois will replace him in 2010.

eclecticbrotha · 11 months ago

Its tainted because a bunch of self-indulgent progressives don't like it. Let the man stay where he is. Its a legal appointment.

(You may now respond with the usual tombstone references.)

jcgraham77 · 11 months ago

If Burris wasn't such the egomaniac that he is he would have layed low instead of marching with his thugs up to the senate chamber doors like he did and then cry poor me. He intentionally made a debacle out of the whole thing. Anyone denying that has their blinders on. Any self respecting politician would have accepted the appointment but witheld acceptance until the impeachment was over. Then, more than likely, Lt. Gov would have given him the spot. Instead, he did the pity act on every cable news television, piled more embarassment on top of the whole mess, and put HIS OWN NAME at the center of american politics for self promotion and gain. He and Blago are the stereotype of what is wrong with American politics.

eclecticbrotha · 11 months ago

Nice diatribe. He "intentionally made a debacle?" How, by forcing the Democrats to abide by Illinois Constitutional Law?

jcgraham77 · 11 months ago

No...by adding to the controversy surrounding the appointment. Its like receiving stolen goods in my view.

Gary SF · 10 months ago

Uh, Jesus was a bastard (biological parents not married) and it appears that he did fine. Give it a rest.

Gary SF · 11 months ago

So you were marching in the streets when Bush was elected in 2000 and the election was tainted?

Andrew · 11 months ago

Actually I was working on the legal side in an attempt to fight it (IMO better than standing in a street with a sign), because it was not legal ("taint" was not a legal argument there any more than it is here).

mbm · 11 months ago

While I agree with your sentiment, you just gave the justifiaction for Burris to stay put. If he resigns now, he will indeed be seen as someone just seeking the limelight (albeit temporarily). On the other hand, f he stays and actually bothers to make his own mark (e.g. actually submitting bills and actively pushing for reforms) he can be seen as his own man by the time the 2010 election rolls around.

shell · 11 months ago

Maybe it is because I am a true crime buff, but Blago hasn't even been convicted yet. (Impeached and removed from office, sure -- but remember, Clinton was also impeached. That isn't a court of law -- it is political theater.)

Blago might be as guilty as sin. But maybe he isn't. You must wait until the trial is over -- if there IS a trial. Fitz was so great with the Bush cabal, wasn't he? I am not as enamored of Fitz as many are.

In any case, Burris can't possibly be as bad as half the senators. (100% of the GOPers.)

grandma · 11 months ago

Blago compares himself to Ghandi, Mandela and MLK Jr.

Burris says ..."“If there was no Martin Luther King Jr. and no Roland Burris, there would be no Barack Obama in the White House today"

Wow....with an ego like that I'm sure the thought of resigning never entered his big head.

Andrew · 11 months ago

Never. Gonna. Happen.

The man probably already has "U.S. Senator" engraved on his mausoleum.

Indigo · 11 months ago

TNSTAAUP!
(There's no such thing as a untained politican!)

Same crap, different a-hole · 11 months ago

amen

grandma · 11 months ago

OT:
A Democrat tells ABC News that invited guests at President Obama's White House Super Bowl Party this Sunday include Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., Sen. Bob Casey, D-Penn., Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., and friends of the Obamas from Chicago.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/01...

AdrianBrowne · 11 months ago

How about having him resign with the promise that he'd probably be re-installed by the new governor if he's clean?

Of course, Burris would never do this voluntarily.

katiec · 11 months ago

I disagree. Although Burris was selected on less than ideal circumstances, he is an honorable man. And, someone who has not been part of the inept, unproductive politicians we have in Springfield. They are ridiculous.
It saves our state the cost of a special election, which we can ill afford, and the problem of who could be elected.
Give him a chance.

drlee · 11 months ago

Fitz is always opening cans of worms and then not following thru. He should have kept it shut until he could indict Blago. Now you have Chi Pols settling old scores with impeachment which is a repug trick. I think they may have misunderestimated Blago as he could take their railroading to court and they really had mostly hearsay. And losing bush and blago renders our cartoons less humorous. Have to go comb my hair.

tigergrrldc · 11 months ago

Until some evidence is produced showing that this appointment was "tainted," Burris shouldn't resign. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Jeez!

Limpballs/Bible Spice 2012!

Jenny · 11 months ago

It's amazing how many people OUTside of Illinois view Burris as 'tainted' and 'illegitimate'.
He was legally picked by the sitting Governor and rightfully took his seat. If the Dems. in Congress hadn't decided to make asses of themselves he wouldn't have looked so 'tainted'.
Don't like the process? Then change the legislation.

RE:Blagojevich, let's not pretend that he was the only one to do such things as 'pay to play'. Those Senators who convicted him yesterday, who Blago stared down as he was speaking, at least the majority, have hands that are just as dirty as his. He knows it and they know and they're are gutless.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1405213,b...

pdxprobert · 11 months ago

I agree with your observation.. horse trading happens all the time.. its how the senate and house works.. hell, didnt the republicans just take advantage of the President and literally make him add items to the stimulus bill as a form of payback and for political gain?... I don't know much about Blago and his style certainly isn't dignified, but look at the heavy hand we saw Palin and her husband had when going after their opposition.. its all dirty...

Change the law...

stoic · 11 months ago

Bush and Cheney should confess to all their crimes, too, but that's another thing that's not going to happen. From what I hear, Burris has failed in his last four runs for office and this is a man who really, really likes to be in public office.

jj · 11 months ago

Burris didn't "fail" per se. He came in second in contested primaries running against the Machine candidates, but he has never lost to a Republican in his career. He was the first African American elected state wide (AG) and repeated the feat running for another office.(Comptroler). He's never had a whiff of scandal attached to him in 30 years of public life..

Ann · 11 months ago

Burris is a super-scary egomaniac. I hope he is booted out.

PatogTX · 11 months ago

I disagree.

Burris should stay. Regardless of the glaring problems with his appointment it was legal. I believe he will however become an inadvertant poster child for getting an amendment passed to not allow Governors to do these appointments.

Like it or not it was legal.

Karma · 11 months ago

I also disagree. Burris in his appearances struck me as genuinely wanting to step up to represent the people by not having the state lose representation for so long because of this mess. I don't like the idea of guilt by association and in fact I suspect Blago swung hard the other way after he was sniffed out in order to cover himself. Therefore, I think Burris is probably an honest sincere person who might just actually deserve to have been elected senator and may prove to be the most uncorrupted one in terms of values that is currently sitting in the senate (karma loves irony). Anyway, I think the congress treated him badly by shunning him at first and I never like it when people with lots of power use it to exclude others for personal motives or convenience.

earthworx · 11 months ago

I agree with this post. It seemed to me that Burris stepped up because the way things were going, Illinois may not have had a second senator for the forseeable future. He is seen in Illinois as someone with a squeaky clean image after 30+ years in public office, maybe one of the only Illinois politicians who can make that claim.

master baiter · 11 months ago

Funny - as an Illinoisan, i have heard NONE of this sentiment from inside of our own state. It's a 2-year appointment: We need to move onto more pressing matters. John, come on, grow up and get with the program. The last thing we need now is more political theatre revolving around ANYTHING that Blago has been involved in. Let it be - "MOVE ON".

earthworx · 11 months ago

Aravosis and others need to get a grip. We are tired of this "guilt by association" crap. Unless you can show Burris has done something untoward to gain this seat LET IT GO! If the people of Illinois accept him then accept their judgement, he is afterall their senator. The country has too many pressing problems to spend another minute flogging this dead horse.

Savage8862 · 11 months ago

I don't agree with you John. Blago was the legal governor at the time and had every right to appoint Burris. It is time you move on from this issue.

Steve_in_CNJ · 11 months ago

for the record, there's nothing in john's statement that suggests the appointment was not legal. i suspect john's point of view would be more popular if the impeached governor had appointed a blue dog conservative (white) democrat. so are we talking principle or expediency?

Earl Scheib · 11 months ago

Disagree. And I predict he will be elected in 2010. Unlike The Villagers, most voters don't buy into "guilt by association." Burris is a skilled, tenacious politician, exactly what any state should look for in a Senator.

An_American_Karol · 11 months ago

Personally, I think we should let Burris stay. I didn't think so at first, but it's done. Now we should keep our eyes on how Burris behaves in the Senate. Burris is not a Blue Dog Democrat, and god knows we don't need another one of those in the Senate.
In two years the good people of Ill. will make a correction if one is needed.

Same crap, different a-hole · 11 months ago

If Burris is the egomaniac monster that everyone is saying, then he just might be prepared for Washington. What successful politician doesn't love to hear his own name?

sullivan · 11 months ago

I disagree, let him stay. It is time to move on.

catty · 11 months ago

Burris has a sense of entitlement,and he's an opportunist.The people of his state said no ,when he wanted the seat and they will again when the election comes.It sickens me that he slithered into this seat.

Same crap, different a-hole · 11 months ago

"Burris has a sense of entitlement,and he's an opportunist."

You have never spoken to a politician have you? Outside of local government, that is a prerequisite.

jerroy · 11 months ago

NO NO NO..... As an outsider from Ill. (NWInd) most of my news is from Chicago. He seems to be a good man and said he would not run in 2010. If he does the " FIP's" can removed him.

James McConnell · 11 months ago

A. He ain't tainted. Blag put up the most sqeaky clean guy in the state to ensure it would go through. Only in your mind is he a stooge. Would you turn down a Senate seat? Come on now, be real.
B. He ain't going anywhere. Roland has been around a long time, including a stint as AG. Consequently, he knows where ALL the bodies are buried, and he has done a LOT of favors over the years, such as coming into possession of, uh, delicate information on Democratic politicians and using his 'judgement call' to not prosecute for lack of sufficient evidence. LOTS of favors. If he retires he'll write his "memoirs", and a lot of rats are going to go down with that ship. That's why there was the big flip flop by the Democratic party leadership.

aquarius2 · 11 months ago

Wrong! John, would YOU resign if you were in Burris's position? I think it is just childish to state he put ego and loyalty ahead of his state and country, you don't know that, you have no idea what Burris thought unless Burris confided in you. It could be the man wanted to be a Senator and being appointed was an opportunity not to be passed up, not many would.

Burris will have to run for re-election. Let him, let the people decide if he should stay or go.

texasbob · 11 months ago

Give it a rest. Burris has done nothing wrong here, and the appearance of a vendetta is unseemly. Besides, if everyone in government who is "tainted" were to resign, there'd be no one left. Why are you not calling for Holder to step down, or Geithner? Or Robert Byrd? Or McCain? Or Teddy Kennedy? Or ........

Gary SF · 11 months ago

Is John just posting idiotic stuff like this and the 'poor me' crap to generate more hits to Americablog? I may as well be listening to Rush.

example · 11 months ago

What is your problem with Burris? No one else cares. There's no reason for him not to keep the seat.

mamazboy · 11 months ago

Well, aren't his kids named Rolanda Burris, Rolandetta Burris, Rolandorama Burris, etc.? The guy's an egomaniac.

earthworx · 11 months ago

Big deal. Lawrence Eagleberger named all his sons Lawrence, and George Forman named all his sons George.

mamazboy · 11 months ago

Well, they were idiots, too. Any parent that saddles their kid with their i(the parent's) identity is pretty sick. Also, if you've seen Burris' graveyard monument (pix readily available on the net), you'd think he was Alexander the Great.

That doesn't believe I think he shouldn't maintain his Senate seat; sure - why not? But it does mean he's an egomaniac.

EmGD · 11 months ago

If the man had any tact he wouldn't have accepted the slot in the first place. He clearly doesn't have enough tact to give it up now. Especially not when the engraver's already been called for the Burris Monument. You ever try uncarving "US Senator" out of granite?

http://thesebastards.blogspot.com/

elizabethcostello · 11 months ago

Why do you care about his Burris Monument? Are you paying for it? Is it coming out of your tax dollars? He didn't rob or loot this country and countless investors like the Madoffs, Dreiers, and so on out there. He didn't lead this country into a war based on lies, resulting in more than 4,000 dead US troops and more than 100,000 dead Iraqis. He didn't allow an entire city and region to drown, then steal government resources in the aftermath while Americans down there continued to suffer. And on and on--so what if he has his Monument? That's his right. He's paying for it. George Bush, like his rich, incompetent daddy, will get a HUGE multi-million dollar LIBRARY paid for by your federal tax dollars. He is getting secret service protection, paid for by your tax dollars. He is still helping his cronies like KARL ROVE, evade prosecution, paid for by your tax dollars. So focus your anger or rage or whatever it is on these ongoing problems. Burris's Monument is none of your concern.

caphillprof · 11 months ago

Burris should stay. This is ridiculous.

scottinsf · 11 months ago

Unless Burris starts to incessantly whine about the cost of living in Washington I say he should stay.

lpeggy · 11 months ago

Exactly what did Burris do, except accept an appointment from a legally elected Governor? This guilt by association stuff sounds like Rethug talking points.

johnosahon · 11 months ago

speak for yourself john, burris is less tainted than "Senator" bird (KKK member), "congress" barney frank (prostitute teenage bride), "senator" vitter and craig (perverts), randel (thief), and many others, when they resign then burris should resign.

vegasbaby · 11 months ago

Burris was appointed under the law. He has a right to stay for the remainder of his term.

devon · 11 months ago

I disagree. Burris should stay and try to do a good job for the people of Chicago. He is not involved in any of the dirty politics. I do not see any reason why he shouldn't serve out the term. Who knows, he may turn out to be one of the best senators ever.

erykah · 11 months ago

Please. Let Burris alone. He will face reelction in 2010. Move on. This fiasco is over.

tropicgirl · 11 months ago

Stop chirping like a bunch of mockingbirds. Blago won't be convicted of anything. The Chicago legislators are totally crooked (landfills, Bank of amerika, horseracing stables, big pharma) load of filth. Burris is less tainted than any of them and he's a real democrat, not a neo-lib shill like Pelosi et al..

What if they did this to Obama? You are no better than Bushrepubs.

jlassen · 11 months ago

He is an African American senator -- the only one. And he's an old democratic party hack. He's likely to fall in line with the leadership, and be a good party man. Which is what Obama needs. Get rid of him and you will likely end up with some blue dog who opposes stimulus spending, etc. As far as being forever tainted... please. whatever.

elizabethcostello · 11 months ago

YOU will always judge Burris by this "original sin," which is a ridiculous term under the circumstances, since his appointment was constitutional and fair. Many Illinoisans have gotten over this. Why don't you worry about your district getting its fair representation in Congress. Has that happened? Where are DC's senators and representative?

Press for that, and let the people of Illinois decide whether Burris stays or goes when his time is up in 2010. He's already given Obama a needed voted, and he'll keep doing so until he leaves office!

DAB · 11 months ago

I would be interested to know what Gov. Pat Quinn thinks Burris should do. I'm sure someone by now has asked him. Has anyone heard? If he thinks Burris should remain in the seat, that would seem to make this a moot issue.

larry · 11 months ago

Why?
What a silly idea. Let him serve. A great reminder of the mediocrity that exist in politics in this country and the poster child for special elections and the ending of Governors like Blago and the idiot Patterson in NY stupid moves. Burris will not be reelected ..he know that. He is raising money but he knows, Illinois knows he will not get past a primary and will divert the campaign money to his temple-like mausoleum. He want get a bunch, he will likely vote as told, he will get some TV face time like the fool likes, and will be a constant reminder that special elections are a must, not just a good idea.

I · 11 months ago

Please. Get over it already. And get over yourself while you're at it. Sometimes you sound like a whiny-ass-titty-boy, as Duncan would say....

mymouth · 11 months ago

Those bastards are all tainted. He is no more corrupt than the rest of those men who have sold us down the river and bankrupted us.
He is right at home in the Senate.

Chicagoguy · 11 months ago

I think he should step down, but there's no way he'll do it. If he weren't a narcissist, he never would have taken the position. So there's no way he'll ever let go. But there's also no way in hell that I, as an Illinois voter, will ever vote for him. I will work for and donate to whomever in the Democratic Party looks the strongest to beat him in 2010

RitornaVincitor · 11 months ago

I think you're right. Let's just hope he doesn't mess things up for the Dems in your state, and that his replacement in 2010 is a Dem.

JayR · 11 months ago

He's polling just fine against the GOP front-runners and as he has his own history unrelated to Blago he's not viewed as a stooge around these parts.

Jimbo62 · 11 months ago

I think Roland should stay, partly because the damn people of Illinois should have gotten rid of the clown a long time ago, before he ever had a chance to pick Obama's replacement. The guy has been investigated for a long time and they had plenty of other stuff on him, they didn't need the Obama seat fiasco to get rid of him. He was legally the governor at the time and had the right to appoint someone and no one is claiming that Burris bought it.....so how can you blame Roland Burris. And of course, the senate embraced him all of a sudden and the secretary of state in Illinois signed the papers.......they could have stalled until Blago was gone and then had the new gov pick someone.

teammarty · 10 months ago

I see the Burris appointment, other than being politacally savvy for Blogo, as a gold watch for years of service as he nears retirement