Illinois Governor Arrested...

[voluptuary_manque]

This is somewhat related to this thread, so I will post it here:

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/roland-burris-appointed-senator-3

The question arises: What happens now? Harry Reed says the Dems will vote against Burris, and maybe they will. Reed is Majority Leader but does not run the Senate. I don't know how the acceptance or rejection vote will go. If Burris swears he will only finish out the term and not run for election on his own, he might be accepted.

Well, Obama said that the Senate should reject Boggo's choice and Reid says that the Dems will vote against seating him (as the Senate's prerogative) and there aren't enough Republicans to seat the man so I'm guessing that this nomination is dead in the water.

Naturally the fact that Burris is African American will cause a stink in the Al and Jesse show if the Senate does vote against him and maybe that's what Boggo is counting on. Left over '70's politics!

 

[Stella_Omega]

Well, Obama said that the Senate should reject Boggo's choice and Reid says that the Dems will vote against seating him (as the Senate's prerogative) and there aren't enough Republicans to seat the man so I'm guessing that this nomination is dead in the water.

Naturally the fact that Burris is African American will cause a stink in the Al and Jesse show if the Senate does vote against him and maybe that's what Boggo is counting on. Left over '70's politics!

It's kind of like Sarah Palin all over again. "Here, have a black guy, and be appeased."

If Burris has any political smarts, he'll refuse the seat, and run for it later, minus the Blago onus.

 

[Guest]

It's kind of like Sarah Palin all over again. "Here, have a black guy, and be appeased."

If Burris has any political smarts, he'll refuse the seat, and run for it later, minus the Blago onus.

Yes.

That would be very wise.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Well, Obama said that the Senate should reject Boggo's choice and Reid says that the Dems will vote against seating him (as the Senate's prerogative) and there aren't enough Republicans to seat the man so I'm guessing that this nomination is dead in the water.

Naturally the fact that Burris is African American will cause a stink in the Al and Jesse show if the Senate does vote against him and maybe that's what Boggo is counting on. Left over '70's politics!

Maybe. Still, The Reps might vote to confirm just to make some points. They might figure he's no worse than another guy Blago might name. Illinois voters might get pissed off about having only one senator until a special election is held or Blago gets booted and the Lt. Gov. takes over and names somebody.

I don't know how much of a buddy this guy is of Blago. He ran against him in the 2002 election.

 

[Stella_Omega]

...

I don't know how much of a buddy this guy is of Blago. He ran against him in the 2002 election.

I've gotten the impression that this is one reason Blago wants to appoint him-- get him out of the governor's race.

 

[midwestyankee]

Roland Burris is a former Attorney General of Illinois and is widely regarded as one of the most honorable public servants we have had. His integrity is unquestioned.

That said, Roland Burris has been described as a sort of "lovable loser" in Illinois Democratic politics. He has lost three or four statewide primary races for Governor and/or Senator in his career. Blago nominated him for a couple of reasons, it seems. First off, he wanted to piss off the members of his own party who have not come to his aid (that would be all of them but his mob lawyer). Second, by picking Burris he makes it difficult for his critics to criticize the appointment. While Burris was not on Obama's preferred short list, he's definitely an honorable guy and no one has any valid criticisms of his work as a public servant. But...and this is a big but...he isn't very good at winning elections and the Democrats want someone in that seat who will be able to raise money quickly and stomp any potential Republican rivals in the general election in two years.

From what I know about Roland Burris, the only reason that he's willing to stand within a hundred yard of Blago right now is because Governor F-Word is willing to give him a big page in history.

One other thing - and this is to respond to Stella's most recent post: Roland Burris is 71 and has not even hinted that the would be interested in running for Blago's office in two years. Blago has many more powerful potential rivals to contend with.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Yeah. Nominating Roland Burris is a supremely cynical act. Burris is a terribly honorable and competent public servant, but entirely lackluster and without any charisma or star-power. He is, as Midwestyankee says, a lovable loser, and by nominating him, Blago has nominated a kind of black political teddy bear whom no one really wants to dis by blocking his appointment, but whom no one wants to seat because he's really not senatorial material and because he's been appointed by this sleazeball governor in a very shady way.

Blago is basically giving the finger to the state democratic party just for spite, and Burris, who'd been retired and out of politics for some years, is naive and ambitious enough to let himself be sucked into this political cesspool. I don't think there's a soul in Illinois who thinks he'd make an outstanding senator.

 

[SweetPrettyAss]

Yeah. Nominating Roland Burris is a supremely cynical act. Burris is a terribly honorable and competent public servant, but entirely lackluster and without any charisma or star-power. He is, as Midwestyankee says, a lovable loser, and by nominating him, Blago has nominated a kind of black political teddy bear whom no one really wants to dis by blocking his appointment, but whom no one wants to seat because he's really not senatorial material and because he's been appointed by this sleazeball governor in a very shady way.

Blago is basically giving the finger to the state democratic party just for spite, and Burris, who'd been retired and out of politics for some years, is naive and ambitious enough to let himself be sucked into this political cesspool. I don't think there's a soul in Illinois who thinks he'd make an outstanding senator.

Burris may not be all that honorable and competent:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/16981.html