Burris Calm And Gracious In Victory
Roland Burris just held a press conference to mark the acceptance of his appointment by the Senate Democratic leadership, in which he was very much gracious and magnanimous in his victory.
• Burris thanked Harry Reid and Dick Durbin for working with him through this whole process: "It will be my honor to both serve with them and to learn from them."
• He discussed how much he personally likes and respects Sec. of State Jesse White, and urged his own supporters to not hold any grudges against White or others who held up the appointment: "They should not be faulted for doing their best to serve our state in the best way they thought possible."
• And to the people of Illinois who didn't like the appointment and the whole scandal surrounding it, he promised to work hard on their behalf. "It's always the darkest before the dawn," Burris said. "I believe that dawn is here, and brighter days are ahead."
What did he say about playing the race card with Bobby Rush? It's easy to be gracious when you "win"...
January 12, 2009 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is really a commentary on the Democratic leadership. If they had been as politically astute as they want people to think they are, they would have recognized that Burris would eventually have to be seated and would not have raised the fuss they did opposing his legal and proper appointment.
January 13, 2009 8:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
So many better candidates. What a joke. The guy didn't get it, he thought that since he was clean it was fine for him to take the seat. He failed to listen to Illinois who wanted Blago out and no part of his legacy, besides open tolling!, to stick around. He betrayed us. I hope his 2 years runs out fast and he just votes how durbin tells him. His arrogance and pride are despicable.
January 12, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Take the Batman into custody," said Burris, and then, extending his wrists he continued, "I am the Batman."
January 12, 2009 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Burris is an lowlife opportunist of the first order. Anyone who cares about progressive politics wanted Blago out and his more liberal successor to appoint a real progressive senator with a chance at holding the seat in 2010. Now we have this bad joke of a man scamming his way to the front of the line and the repubs happy to get a good chance at taking an Illinois senate seat away from the dems. Thanks Blago. Thanks Burris.
January 12, 2009 7:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
"A lowlife opportunist"
Burris is a politician, what else do you expect?
Somehow people just can't get around the fact that Burris was appointed in accordance with the laws of the land (Illinois and the USA). Not seating him would have been "more of the same" as the Bush Administration in ignoring established laws.
We may not like the laws as they exist, but if so, they should be changed rather than flaunted.
January 13, 2009 8:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eh, I still don't think the dems lose this seat in 2 years. They still have absolutely no talent. Granted, Southern Illinois may go realllly republican as they get that self-righteous tinge and snoot their noses at Chicago...but, Madigan Schanowski Quinn all better than whatever the R's could throw out. Who do they have?
January 12, 2009 7:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
My prediction: People from Illinois will grow to love Burris. To be honest, Burris is a likeable guy.
January 12, 2009 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
He is completely average in every way. Average political career and an average man. An average man that betrayed the people of Illinois.
January 12, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
With a very above average ego (or perhaps more correctly, id).
January 12, 2009 9:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder how this will be engraved on his shrine?
January 12, 2009 8:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Details are for losers.
http://pufferfish.typepad.com/
January 12, 2009 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I want to say one word to Sen. Burris. Just one word.
Cloture.
January 12, 2009 8:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alright, my question is, why do the Dems even PRETEND to have spines? They just fold in the end, always, no matter how much big talk they throw around. Just save yourself the embarrassment and acknowledge you are going to give in from the beginning:
http://www.thepersonalispolitical.com/2009/01/harry-reid-teaches-folding-101.html
January 12, 2009 9:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wrong question in this case.
The question should be: "Why did they oppose Burris when he was appointed in accordance with both Illinois and US laws?"
That shows a total lack of intelligence on the part of the Democratic leadership. They should have recognized Burris' right to be seated and left the Republicans oppose it rather than doing the Republicans job for them.
January 13, 2009 8:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Embarrassing is all I can say. As much as I hate the GOP, I hope the feckin dems lose the seat in '10
January 12, 2009 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Burris loses the seat in a primary, if he runs, and then the Dems kick butt.
No one with an ounce of integrity would have accepted an appointment from Blego.
January 13, 2009 12:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right. Primary day can't come soon enough!
January 13, 2009 3:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Senator Burris has more class than most of the rabid haters on this site.
January 13, 2009 4:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm guessing we might see some fireworks out of him before '10. Every party needs its Jean Schmidt.
January 13, 2009 7:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Burris I remember from not so many years ago was a pretty decent guy. When I watched the press conference in which Blago named him for the Senate, it appeared to me that Burris was showing early signs of senility. This would explain why he did not have the good sense to decline the seat. Also the disclosure about Burris cemetery mausoleum fits right in with that. For the two years he will be in the Senate, I hope he follows the lead of our senior Senator whose heavy burden of work will not be eased by having Burris as the junior Senator. Blago, despite his maniacal personality, legally used the system to thumb his nose at the people of Illinois. As he fades into oblivion, unless Burris becomes some kind of super Senator, we'll be reminded frequently about our soon to be former Governor.
There will undoubtedly be a primary (under Illinois Law candidates must submit petitions by mid-December of 2009) and the Dems have lots of good people who can run. Only if Burris performs exceptionally well will he have a chance to win the primary in the spring of 2010. Illinois's primary system comes much too early but that is how it works. Despite everything I have just said, I do hope Burris can do a good job as Senator.
January 13, 2009 8:18 AM | Reply | Permalink