Blago Names Black Atty To Obama Seat
From Chicago’s local news outlet, WGN-9:
Then Governor-elect Rod Blagojevich introduces his board of advisors, including Roland Burris (to the governor’s left) in November 2002.
Blagojevich to name Burris to Senate
December 30, 2008
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they would not seat anyone appointed by the disgraced governor who faces criminal charges of trying to sell the post, sources familiar with the decision said.
Shortly after Obama’s Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich’s arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor’s support.
Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama’s replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he’s never lost to a Republican…
Blagojevich’s criminal defense attorney Ed Genson had said Blagojevich would not name a Senate successor to Obama. The governor had indicated he agreed with other Illinois politicians that the best option might be a special election to fill Obama’s seat. But state lawmakers have not taken up the necessary legislation.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada previously warned Blagojevich, following the governor’s Dec. 9 arrest, that Senate Democrats would not seat any appointment the two-term Democratic governor made. Reid’s warning was contained in a letter signed by all 50 sitting Democratic senators, including the No. 2 Democrat in Senate leadership, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois…
Burris became the first African-American to win statewide office in 1978, when he won the first of his three terms as comptroller. But Burris repeatedly stalled in his quest for bigger political office. He failed in three consecutive runs for governor–1994, 1998 and 2002, when he ran against Blagojevich–in the Democratic primaries.
Luckily Mr. Blagojevich named a black man to fill Mr. Obama’s (long) vacant seat.
So there might not be any rioting from the “content of his character” crowd.
Well, there was an article a few days (maybe over a week ago) by some black woman in the Washington Times saying it had to be filled by a black person, it was “their” seat. It was kind of a crazy argument because I thought the idea was to put the “best” person in the seat and for the record just for the kos trolls who look at this site I don’t think Princess Caroline is the “best” person to take Hill’s seat either.
Should be intersting to see if he’s seated come when the 111th Congress convenes.
Well, just got one more thing to say: You go Blago!
This guy Blagojevich displays a mafioso-like machismo through this entire episode. He is caught red-handed, then dares anyone to prove it (in the face of federal wiretaps); is told to just surrender immediately, then barricades himselft in the capital building; is told that he can’t make an appointment to O’s seat before going to jail, then he appoints a black man, seemingly saying to the Democrat leadership, “Let’s see you strike down a black senator.”
Two thoughts:
At least we were spared [for now] the agony of having the righteous Jackson clan invade the senate.
The article points out that elder Burris has mostly lost in the primaries for the past 20 years. Is it a problem of lack of street credentials? Did he not go to the right church? Was his “blackness” an issue?
LOL.. this is absolute joy.. ooooh my Blago is getting more fun all the time.. hahaha
I hope everyone has a great New Year. Feel free to drink as much subsidized rum tonite:
It’s gonna be a rough year..
http://www.reuters.com/article.....31?sp=true
Shit.
It’s started. I’ve joked about it, but now it seems plausible. Here comes a whole shitload of NPR-clones.
Oh, and just in case anyone’s wondering: I’m at work, so I’m not out having fun, alas :(
Yikes, Flession what a freakin nightmare! Let’s hope not but Obama needs his goons to do his bidding so the NYT and Washington Compost must be saved!
We lost power due to the massive winds that were blowing through our area yesterday and since hubby had to go to work at 2:30 a.m. and the Aged P’s are staying with us, we all slept through the New Year. Hope you all have a wonderful and prosperous New Year and hope that we’re all able to “gird our loins” for the next 4 years.
Yeah.. its started..
Those nifty fishwrap worthy periodicals finding a reason to beg our money out from under us.
I believe if that happens in any measure it will all be over. If only because we will NEVER again be able to trust editorial policy or reporting. Even though we may not at this point, I believe it crosses a line.