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Burris Predicts "Major Outcry" From People Of Illinois If He's Not Seated
You really do have to wonder what planet Roland Burris is living on right now.
In an appearance just now on MSNBC, Burris was asked about the possibility of the Senate refusing to seat him. "Well, I think you will see a major outcry from the people of Illinois," Burris said, "based on the fact that the governor has appointed me."
You read that correctly: Burris says the people will have a major outcry to a Blagojevich-appointed Senator not being seated.
Burris also said he would legally challenge any decision by the Senate not to seat him. He probably has a better shot there.
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Burris is a pathetic old man clutching for one last chance at political glory. Blago has an 8% approval rating and Obama says he should not be seated. If he thinks the people of Illinois will cry out for him to be seated in light of that, he's also mentally ill.
December 30, 2008 6:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've read that Burris has a reputation for being honest and above most of the corruption found in Illinois politics. But I'm finding that harder and harder to believe, given the increasing evidence that Burris is a raging egomaniac living in La-La-Land. Is it possible to be an ethical delusional solipsist?
December 31, 2008 2:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah . . . Name THREE (3) . . .
1. Burris
2. Blagolevich
3. (Enter silence and the sound of crickets . . . )
December 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watching MSNBC, it looks like Pat Buchanan would be upset, but I don't think he lives in Illinois.
December 30, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Buchannan wants Burris because he knows he will be tainted and doesn't have a chance of being re-elected in 2010. Burris = Republican Senator from IL in 2010.
December 31, 2008 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Planet Blago is a strange, strange place.
I've heard that the Cubs even win championships there.
(sorry for the cheap shot any Cubs fans, Cardinals fan here)
December 30, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Die Cardinals fan! Die!
I don't get the Blagojevich strategy here. What does he gain from doing this? Seems like he just pisses off everybody he needs to gain favor with even further.
December 31, 2008 9:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
There will be NO outcry. Obama has spoken and gave it a thumbs down.
December 30, 2008 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sitting here in California, I don't feel like I have much of a clear idea how the people of Illinois are going to react. Was any pre-Burris polling done on whether Blago should appoint anyone? Are there any Illinois democratic blogs, like the equivalent of a Calitics or a Burnt Orange Report or something, that could be used maybe to gauge local reaction?
December 30, 2008 6:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Children -- they're all acting like spoiled children and bullies, the whole bunch of them: Blago, Burris, Bobby Rush, Mitch McConnell, Coleman, Chip Saltsman.
We desperately need grown-ups now before this country implodes.
December 30, 2008 6:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Via Campaign Diaries:
"What happens if Burris drags the Senate to court for refusing to seat him (a suit he should win based on precedent) but the Illinois state legislature impeaches Blagojevich and elevates Pat Quinn as Governor before the court renders its decision? Could Pat Quinn cancel Blagojevich's decision and appoint a new Senator since Burris would not yet be seated?
Would that depend on whether Jesse White has certified the appointment? Even if White has no legal right not to sign the document, he could potentially delay legal proceedings long enough for the legislature to impeach Blagojevich."
December 30, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe there's a precedent where an outgoing and incoming governor appointed different Senate candidates and the Senate was given jurisdiction over which to pick, wasn't there?
December 30, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was First Read is thinking that the Senate Dems are trying to have happen thus they are stalling and buying for time so this happens.
December 30, 2008 9:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Emily Latella: Didn't Burris shoot himself in the leg a few weeks ago?
Oh. This game isn't football? Never mind.
December 30, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
What court is Burris going to appeal to? The Constitution is pretty clear in giving each house of Congress sole authority on who is seated. I doubt any court would even take the case since they have no means of enforcing any judgment. They'd just wind up looking like chumps.
December 30, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, the contrast between Obama and these guys and Obama is just amazingly stark.
I feel kind of bad for Burris, though. He seems nice enough, and obviously just decided to go for one last chance. I'm not sure he won't get it. Contrary to what some people are saying, the Senate doesn't explicitly have the ability to reject appointments just elections and qualifications (like citizenship, age, etc)
Also, Reid's latest statement was that Burris wouldn't be seated in the Democratic Caucus. In other words, unlike Joe Lieberman Burris wouldn't be able to caucus with the Dems, but he would still be able to vote as an independent. Obviously we'll have to see how it plays out.
December 30, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink