Blago announces Burris as his pick: 'Don't lynch the appointor'
By David Neiwert Tuesday Dec 30, 2008 1:38pm
Defying U.S. Senate leaders and his own state's lawmakers, Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder, praised the 71-year-old Burris' integrity and asked that the corruption allegations not "taint this good and honest man."
Other than the surprise that Blagojevich is deluded enough to believe he can proceed with filling Barack Obama's Senate seate without permanently tainting anyone he names, the only real surprises in this press conference were Burris' surprise at finding out he'd given $14,000 or so to Blagojevich's re-election campaign, and Blago's screwed-up admonishment at the end:
Feel free to castigate the appointer, but don't lynch the appointor.
I think he meant "appointee." But even more noteworthy was his use of the word "lynch" to describe what refusal of Burris's seating in the Senate might mean in terms of the politics of this mess. Combined with Rep. Bobby Rush's threat at the conference to make it a racial issue if an African-American wasn't named to fill Obama's seat, I think it's clear that Team Blago intends to flourish the race card in this matter.
Now, it's already been pointed out that the Senate cannot refuse to seat a duly elected member on any grounds other than constitutional ones (that is, citizenship qualifications, etc.).
But just before the press conference, MSNBC read a statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid saying that the Senate Democratic Caucus would refuse to seat any member appointed by Blagojevich. Moreover, the Illinois Secretary of State has also announced he will refuse to sign the papers certifying Burris as the nominee.
Worth noting: Only a couple of days ago, the lieutenant governor announced that Blago would be removed before mid-February.
Looks like Blago decided to have a last laugh at their expense. He's throwing a monkey wrench at them, mostly it appears, out of spite.
Login or Register to post comments.
Senate seat. Are we supposed to lynch him?? WTF?
Blago should give up his post as Gov. and Burris should not accept the seat. It's as plain as that. Gov Blago is obviously corrupt, there is no other way to see it: http://tv1.com/playlists/109
"Looks like Blago decided to have a last laugh at their expense. He's throwing a monkey wrench at them, mostly it appears, out of spite."
Had he thrown the doormat on top of his head into the works that would have done even more damage.
I watched that live as it happened and the only way I could describe it was that it was a total dog fu*k. I mean how many things could go wrong? Ever how many could, did. I felt kind of sorry for Burris because he just completely lost control of the questions and in the end had to call up that other guy to speak for him. Then that guy turned the whole thing into a purpose of race.
When the word "lynch" was used, I just stared at my tv. This is most bizarre.
Between my dismay at Blago leaving a large pile behind just to f**k with the party that has abandoned him and my cynical wish for him to succeed in showing (again) how ineffectual Harry Reid is at stopping anything that happens in the U.S. Senate.
OH-o, or re o, oh-o or e o. (wizard of oz) un-fucking believable, now where did I leave my handcuffs?CEO,citizens,eyes,open.
How corrupt is Harry Reid, et al. Blago's just another hack, and an insensitive one at that. But there really isn't any legal reason (that I know of) why the senate, or the state of Illinois, can block Burris' appointment. For now, Blago's the governor, and has not been convicted of anything.
And what does Buriss get out of this? Or is he that dedicated to serving the country? Yet for those govt perks, I might just take the job too, especially for only 2 years. But man, jumping into this mess like that? Buriss is either certifiable, getting some huge benefit, or he's the most dedicated fucking politician since Jefferson himself.
The gift that just keeps giving.
By refusing the appointment to the Senate seat.
... that Burris actively lobbied for the seat, after the stink began.
This is all so fucked up...for some reason I think Blago is gonna beat all the charges!
OK so Illinois State Attorney General said he will not approve the appointment, but I read that Burris would have to be rejected by an overwhelming vote of the senate, which I suppose isn't likely to happen given the race/lynch card.
Where does that leave us?
But to vote no, they (both IL and DC senators) would have to have some compelling evidence of impropriety by Buriss. He's clean, so far.
Thanks for the clarification on the need for impropriety. I guess the guy that brought up the notion that no one would go on record to deny a black nominee really was un necessary.
So its done. He's in! Woo Hoo!
The law really doesn't count with these people. The law is for keeping US in line.
All this stuff changed since I was in high school and college.
considerably longer than I've been out of college, let alone HS...
Ah, this is all hysterical. I grew up in Chicago and have a properly blase attitude towards corruption, but this guy's starting to look like Madame Mao. The audacity and arrogance are superb!
Anyway, on the legal front, I'm not sure I agree the Senate has to seat him. This isn't spot on the Adam Clayton Powell case. First, Powell was elected, not appointed. More importantly, an exclusion here has nothing to do with Burris' qualifications, the Senate would be saying, Powell can't possibly mean we have to seat someone who was appointed because someone paid the governor. In other words, the appointment itself is the product of a felony.
So, I think the Senate has reason to distinguish Powell and, race card not withstanding, I think they've been pretty clear on what they plan to do. So, they refuse to seat him and say, effectively, get a judge to tell us we have to. Now, I think it would be up to Burris to sue personally to be seated. I don't think the Governor would have standing to sue. The Ill Atty General certainly won't sue on behalf of Illinois. So, poor Roland Burris is left clanking around the courts and, when Blagejovich is impeached and a new gov appoints someone else, how long is Burris going to pursue this? I think the Senate can exclude him, and I think they will.
Why would the Senate exclude him? Is this guy "Burris" un-qualified? Thanks
Congressman Bobby Rush: ‘This is a matter of national importance. There are no African Americans in the Senate, and I don’t think that anyone, any U.S. senator who’s sitting in the Senate right now, wanna go on record to DENY one African American from being seated in the U.S. Senate. I don’t think they want to go on record doing that’
Nice race card but he does have a point on no AA’s in the Senate.
Blago is showing Reid what spine looks like.
...a dirty fucking racist dog. If you consider race baiting having a "spine" you really must have a perverted value system.
Maybe I misunderstood but didn't Bobby Rush also use the terms "hang" and "lynch" when talking about Burris. Didn't he say, don't hang of lynch the appointee?
Bobby Rush(another machine ass licker) simply is playing the political game to position himself for the seat later....Burris is a temp and a WIILING pawn...this is a scheme.
You would surely know more about this than I do. Do you think Burris is being used by Blago or does he really realize what is happening.
How is this scheme going to work? Burris gets the seat and then in two years Rush runs to take it away from him or maybe Burris retires and doesn't run again?
....but if Blago was on the up and up he would have picked a complete(and qualified) outsider(or not selected anyone), regardless of race, not connected to any of his bullshit. Our Governor has already proven that he's unworthy of anyone's trust. And Rush should have disassociated himself from any decision the Governor made.
Looks like, step by step:
1. Elected officials (Reid + Illinois Sec. of State) will refuse to sign the papers to seat Burris. Gotta stick to what they said.
2. So Blago/Burris go to court to force the issue, and court will have to grant an order in their favor.
3. OMG, what a choice ... but it happens, and Burris becomes pre-tainted Senator for Illinois.
4. Big stink, lots of anger all around.
5. Blago gets last smirk before heading to country-club "jail." Maybe.
Is Burris an ass? I don't understand the fuss, but for Blago's allegations. Is the main problem, two years from now? Help me out here. Thanks :-)
...Obama supporters. After Blagojevich's arrest, he had a group of black pastors come to his house to pray for him. Blago then hired a top black Chicago lawyer to represent him. Now he appoints an old time machine loyalist(who happens to be black) to replaced a popular black man. Coincidence? Bullshit!
Blagojevich is actually play the race card bandwaggoning and attempting to circumvent the rollover support for Obama here just to save his sorry ass.
I'm so glad that I don't live in Illinois. Oh, and that race card shit is real old.
It's nice to hear that the race card shit is old :)
IMFHO I would have appointed what's her name, Duckworth? the chopper pilot that lost her legs in Iraq. Would have been fun to watch Reid stop that one (and to see Cleland throw a shit fit if he tried.)
I kinda feel like Burris is being used by Blago. For that reason, today I felt sorry for him because he stepped up there to the mic unprepared for what the press was about to throw at him.
Burress "has not one iota of taint" on him.
Classic.
My next band will be called Iota of Taint. Also makes a great fragrance.
flashy:/home/joe>whois IotaOfTaint.com
Whois Server Version 2.0
Domain names in the .com and .net domains can now be registered
with many different competing registrars. Go to http://www.internic.net
for detailed information.
No match for "IOTAOFTAINT.COM".
by Blago.
Why would the guy accept knowing in would not only doom his chances for getting the senate seat but would tarnish him, effectively ending any chance of a political career in the future?
He's 71 years old and I just don't think he realized the scope of all this and how it would make him look. Like I said before, I think he is being used in the worst sort of way and he just doesn't realize it.
...of the web they're weaving. These are the Chicago politics Obama refused to play...it's nasty.
He just seemed so surprised and confused when the press brought up the campaign contributions he had made to Blago's campaign. Wouldn't he have been prepared for that question ahead of time if he really understood the plan?
I didn't mean to suggest that Burris(who is a very decent man) is part of some conspiracy. Burris does know the something for something game played here, but he wouldn't take part in an unlawful act. I'm sorry for giving that impression...this is Blagojevich doing anything, using anyone to save his ass.
That's the way it looked to me. Blagojevich doesn't care what happens to the people he is using now, it's just all about him.
Yet he was an Illinois politician? I'm confused here. How did Obama survive in a system where almost all were crooks, but he was a saint?
It just kills you(and Hannity) that Obama rose above this shit without a single mark. Lol.
Why would it bother me? I just find it odd that anybody would be successful politically, in a state popular for political hijinks without getting a little dirty themselves. But whatever. Your Republican tactics are sure to impress.
...in Illinois is a crook? Sounds a little simple to me.
But successful politicians usually are for a reason. I envy your optimism. I don't have any left when it comes to politicians.
... as a sweet old guy, and that's a nice persona to have in politics. But he's been around the block many times by now -- I think he knows what he's doing. And I think he'll actually get that Senate seat and hang onto it.
He's piker criminally compared to Bush, Cheney, et al.
And he's purely a product of the political culture of Illinois.
I say, save your ammunition for worthier targets...of which there are many.
Whenever the media says...Look up here! ...always do a 180!
This is all way too funny...It has to be some kind of a diversion.
go to the Superdome.
....while Cheney and Bush and their fascist buds gather up whatever's left of our democracy on their way our of Dodge. If they get off scot-free for the crimes they've committed, who cares if Blago tried to get a little cash for a favor in Chicago-land??
n/t
With all the good will he has yet in reserve, and with the economy in the tank, with thousands losing their jobs each week, and with the Middle East in flames, why wouldn't Obama use just a bit of his capital and say: "Enough is enough. This is a distraction. A political sideshow. Seat Burris and let's get on with the business of this country."
If anybody thinks middle America gives one sh*t about this as much as the MSM thinks it does, then they need their head examined.
I've always felt this Blago story was meant as garnish for political junkies, while the very serious crooks Bush and Cheney are being ignored, and protected, by the compliant corporate media.
That's the question for me. If he hasn't the power to corral the Illinois and national Democratic parties into line at this point, when will he ever have any authority on anything?
Also, can you imagine where we'd be if the media had given one-tenth the attention to eight years of Bush-Cheney crimes as they have to Blago's alleged crimes?
he does have only a few weeks to hone his golf swing! I haven't seen any video of him taking a swipe at a golf ball, but if I could, that would tell me a lot about him (as in my past life I was a PGA golf professional).
He does have a pretty decent jump shot, though.
a Pres who doesn't give a sh*t about golf. Yeah, yeah, I know all about the "real decisions are made on the links" mentality, and most is probably true. But I would really enjoy seeing a President who takes Sarkozy, Chavez, whoever--to a game of one-on-one, or maybe backgammon...
of Burris background, certainly shows why they'd want him as a senator. He's about as big a corporatist as you can get. Perfect man to represent the, ahem, people.
I guess the price for the Senate seat went down.
At least Blogo can say he got something for the seat. Hell if he was going to give that thing away for free!
It's a recession sale.
who's going to win most of his fights because he's a tough-nosed motherfucker.
We can trash him. It's easy.
The real evil fucks are sitting up in the box seats making the money.
The "evil f*cks" as you call them include all the Senate Democrats and Obama folk who are dutifully dancing to the tune played for them by the MSM and the Republicans.
One of these days Democrats are going to realize that in leaders, most Americans value strength over clean hands. Obama seems to me the kind of guy who doesn't like to get dirty. It's a bad sign.
I was thinking he was Elvis reincarnated...!
Blago did precisely what every other politico in his position has done in the past except with no finesse. That's perhaps what makes him so likeable now. He's more like you and me than we're ready to admit.
...I think he's a sick dude trying to act like Elvis.
lazy, p*ssy f*cks we have, sitting on their hands and tongues than it does about Blago, in my eyes. Don't worry, we'll be back to our lazy, corporate b*tches that piss us off with their do-nothing attitudes soon enough. Meanwhile, enjoy the Midwest sideshow folks.
Blago is a force unto himself. I find it rather amusing (non-American here). I mean, they're all lying crooks anyway. He doesn't even care to try to "act respectable," he just forges ahead. It's refreshing in an odd way. Better than these phony, indignant, self-righteous, Xian, GOP assholes.
[edit] Bush pretended he was a sober, god-fearing-and-talking-to-(and-god-talked-back) man. He even tried to pretend he cared.
This is exactly the way that Bush has behaved throughout his abominable reign.
It is the same crap.
And it seems to work.
Look what the disgustingly weak pinhead democrats have let Bush and Cheney get away with.
A bunch of words that when put together say absolutely nothing. And this reminds me to turn on the "Report as Spam" all incoming from the Obama camp.
Burris raised money for Blago.
Burris subsequently received State contracts.
That qualifies him to be a Senator, I'm sure.
"A fine public servant' sayeth The One.
Is it just me,
But with that dead critter on Blagojevich's head
And an sort of Massachusetts sounding speech pattern
He's trying to be Kennedyesque?
Please allow me to interrupt the flow of testosterone for just one minute. The Attorney General of Illinois, Lisa Madigan, is a woman.
And now back to our regularly scheduled flow of testosterone.
...to imagine a Republican in Blago's shoes. Rush, and wingnut bloggers would be talking of how there was not enough evidence b/c money never changed hands. Any stories on that case would be tainted as liberal media bias.
But the media is all over Blago. Liberal blogs are giving him the shit too. Guess that's the difference between liberals and conservaturds: We wipe the Blago from our shoes before entering the house.
the adult version of one of bill cosby's cartoon characters...mush mouth
rush should be the next to go, as he must be deeply in bed with blago
He is a fucking race baiter though.
Shades of Clarence Thomas.
One less Senate Seat and a VOTE for Democrats probably for months to come.
I'm not so sure Fitzgerald is as Politically neutral as many believe.
Fitzgerald rushed for an indictment against Blago and started a News Frenzy; now he is looking for an extension from the courts to further investigate the matter. Because of the News Frenzy Dems refuse to seat any Blago appointee.
Republicans have essentially blocked and will continue to control the Senate until Dems seat their majority.
Obama and Dems may have to kiss their first 100 days project goodbye?
Login or Register to post comments.