Burris: Out of the Rain, Into the Senate

With what is effectively an endorsement from President-elect Barack Obama, Roland Burris went to the Capitol this morning to arrange for his seating in the US Senate.

And, make no mistake, the Illinois appointee is now all but certain to be seated.

By wandering around in the rain for an hour on Tuesday, Burris grabbed all the media attention that was going to be afforded to the day when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid should have been outlining the agenda of the new Democratic majority in the chamber.

In so doing, Burris beat Reid.

The majority leader, who had said that he would not seat an appointee of scandal-plagued Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, was left with no alternative but to fold. And fold he did after meeting with a smiling Burris on Wednesday morning.

Reid hailed praised the Illinoisan's intellect and hailed Burris as "candid" and "forthright." Then the majority leader laid out a face-saving strategy -- not for Burris but for himself.

He said that the appointee could be seated once legal wrangling in Illinois about whether Burris can be seated without Secretary of State Jesse White's signature on a certification of his appointment. This matter is now being considered by the Illinois Supreme Court, although it could be resolved even more quickly if White decides to sign the document, as statements made by the Secretary of State on Tuesday seemed to suggest was a possibility.

Reid also said that Burris would need to appear before the Illinois state legislature -- which is currently in the process of impeaching Blagojevich -- to answer questions about his ties to the governor and the appointment process.

Burris is set to do just that on Thursday.

Reid says that once the Illinois hoops are jumped through, "we will be in a different position."

The majority leader would like to be in that different position roughly now.

There is no question that Reid is getting some powerful prodding on this front.

Obama did not publicly call for Reid to seat Burris. But no one could misread the President-elect's answer this morning to a question about the former Illinois attorney general who Blagojevich has named to fill Obama's vacant seat: "I think he's a fine public servant. If he gets seated then I'm going to work with Roland Burris just like I work with all the other senators to make sure that the people of Illinois and the people of the country are served."

Translation: Seat the guy.

Obama and his aides do not want the Burris story dominating another news cycle, as the controversy bleeds out of Illinois, out of the Senate chamber and across official Washington.

And if Reid -- who says he plans to lead the Senate until at least 2015 -- does not clean the mess up quick, California Senator Dianne Feinstein will be glad to do so.

Feinstein, who has been making lots of big-elbow moves in recent days, led the charge for seating the Illinoisan.

"If you don't seat Mr. Burris, it has ramifications for gubernatorial appointments all over America," the California Democrat said. "Mr. Burris is a senior, experienced politician. He has been attorney general, he has been controller, and he is very well-respected. I am hopeful that this will be settled."

Translation: If Harry Reid can't lead, I will.

Comments (58)

1. Right, let's dump Harry Reid, and while we're at it, Nancy Pelosi as well. It's not that they're short on leadership abilities; it's that they're short on wisdom.

   Posted by barnesgene at 01/07/2009 @ 11:40am

2. This is a clear indication that the Whtie House (aka OBama) will be running the show...not Congress. Which can be very good or very bad. I think good.

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 11:58am

3. "If" he's seated. What a characteristic and utterly gutless way to deal with these circunstances. Flummoxed by Blagojevich and unwilling to accept that at first, our dear savior held his finger to the wind and once the hopelessness of the situation revealed itself, took the easy way out: The ambiguous, have it both ways endorsement. What a coward this clown is and we're in for just tons of this kind of courage over the next four years. The honest and courageous thing to have done was to have accepted the Burris appointment from the outset.

   Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:00pm

4. Good move by Obama. Feinstein's motives are obvious and tawdry, but she has made the right call. Burris is playing his cards perfectly. Reid is going to fold.

   Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:02pm

5. The honest and courageous thing to have done was to have accepted the Burris appointment from the outset.

   Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:00pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   Too bad BO has to smell trouble and do the calculating before doing the right thing. A man of true moral conviction would not be playing games with the Burris appointment. This Blago scandal is revealing itself for what it is - a power play.

   Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:08pm

6. This is a clear indication that the Whtie House (aka OBama) will be running the show...not Congress. Which can be very good or very bad. I think good.

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 11:58am | ignore this person | warn this person

   It will be good if BO remembers his mandate for change. He seems a little unsure of himself right now, but that is to expected. Once he gets behind the wheel and has a little road time, hopefully, he will steer us in the direction of change which he promised. Fingers crossed.

   Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:18pm

7. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:08pm

   Right on the nose! And of course Harry Reid involuntarily takes the punishment for him. This is leadership? From Reid's side, its like the wife feeling compelled to call the employer to explain why her drunken husband can't make work today. What a colosal bag of cow dung this zero is. Simply can't make a decision. We were warned about this characteristic with him. There'll be a lot of people over the next several years forced to take responsibility for Obama and they're going to get sick of it.

   Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm

8. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:18pm

   As long as the realization is that it won't be RADICAL change....which of course will be a major problem with many here at "TN".

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm

9. As long as the realization is that it won't be RADICAL change....which of course will be a major problem with many here at "TN".

   Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

   Very true. "Little progressive changes," however, will be welcomed, and seem like "big changes" looking back over the last 8 years. Heard Obama plans to say no to earmarks on his stimulus bill - that would be a nice precedent!

   Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:30pm

10. What a colosal bag of cow dung I am Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 12:40pm

11. There'll be a lot of people over the next several years forced to take responsibility for Obama and they're going to get sick of it.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    You do have to wonder how Reid got interposed willingly in the Burris appointment mess....lol. I think your instincts are correct that this was BO & Company's fight relating back to Blago all the way. Obama needs to take command and responsibility. This whole deal reeks of Rahm Emmanuel style politics. I hope that BO doesn't let these self serving types call the shots after he gets his sea legs. You don't let characters with a penchant for mutiny on board to begin with, and this is worrisome.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:41pm

12. >>>Translation: If Harry Reid can't lead, I will.<<<

    Feinstein is a has been - who sold her soul so her and her husband can get rich off ill-advised wars. She is finished in California and probably will not run for re-election. If she does, she will be defeated in the Democratic primary.

    To suggest that such a weak senator is somehow going to push Harry Reid around is foolish and shows a lack of understanding of Feinstein's real power. Feinstein has been reduced to a shadow of her former self, and now is simply a shill for AIPAC.

    Posted by Metteyya at 01/07/2009 @ 12:49pm

13. Reid slunk out to the podium this morning looking like a whipped hound...

    His pathetic explanation of why he originally blocked Burris, and his feeble attempt to praise him now was a study in cluelessness...and was obviously an attempt to reverse course and accept Burris's claim to the Senate seat.

    We need someone in the leadership position of the Senate who has some spine and fire in his belly...and "Fightin" Harry Reid is sadly lacking in both!

    Get rid of this pathetic excuse for a leader Dems!

    Posted by wagonjak at 01/07/2009 @ 12:50pm

14. Seating Burris is NOT facesaving, it is the only smart thing to do since the seat will obviously be wide open in 2010, in which Jackson and others can compete in a special election. Burris will not have much of an advantage over Jackson in 2010, and may not run at all because of his advanced age.

    Blago is stupid but not stupid enough to appoint someone who is tainted by him while he is under indictment for selling the very same seat. In fact, he will attempt to use the Burris appointment as "evidence" that he would have appointed someone who was not tainted despite statements on FBI tapes to the contrary.

    Posted by Metteyya at 01/07/2009 @ 12:59pm

15. a tempest in a teapot.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 1:00pm

16. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 12:41pm

    "Obama needs to take command and responsibility"

    And there's the rub. He seems incapable of decisiveness, it's been a longstanding characterization of him. The "self-serving types" are calling the shots precisely because he can't make decisions. What typically happens with people, or should I say worms, of this kind is just what happened here: At first a certain cowardly inaccessability followed by a action forcing event and then someone taking a fall for the delay. We've seen the beginning of this pattern in his lack of response to the Gaza situation also. The man reacts to events, he's not out front of them and never will be.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:04pm

17. There'll be a lot of people over the next several years forced to take responsibility for Obama and they're going to get sick of it.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 12:23pm |

    Like you guys have taken "responsibility" for Bush? Don't make me laugh up my soup. PE Barak Hussein Obama has not even taken office yet and you guys are blaming him for things that have not happened yet. Sad.

    -----

    I think the "translator" is broken. What Obama said was a solid representation of the facts on the ground. IF he get's seated he will work with him. He would have to. There was really no legal basis for not seating Burris. No one associated with this has been proven guilty of anything. What is really sad is that many of the same people that derided Fitzgerald for being on a witchhunt for going after those that outed a covert CIA operative and damaged national security during time of war are now behind Fitz and want his press conference to be the trialand execution.

    Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:07pm

18. Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:04pm

    Did you notice that this rudderless man made a campaign from nothing, raised more money that any other candidate ever, put together a team that beat the Annointed Hillary Clinton machine, crushed the republicans, and has moved faster than any other transition ever?

    I offer you my propellor beanie cap, you have earned it.

    Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:11pm

19. Posted by wagonjak at 01/07/2009 @ 12:50pm

    "We need someone in the leadership position of the Senate who has some spine and fire in his belly...and "Fightin" Harry Reid is sadly lacking in both!"

    Harry Reid may be a weak reed, that's conceded, but this little ditty was Obama's doing not Reid's. Reid, to use the current cliche, was thrown under the bus. And what this will teach him is to take even fewer risks for our gutless savior. Yes, I'm sure he "slunk out to the podium this morning looking like a whipped hound". And someone should bring animal abuse charges against his boss.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:12pm

20. most depressing is the re-election of Pelosi to "lead" the House.

    SHE is a wind reading pol.

    I weap.

    Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:13pm

21. Don't you clowns WANT the Savior to come back? Why all the ridicule of your own belief systems?

    Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:14pm

22. " And someone should bring animal abuse charges against his boss.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:12pm

    Well, if Reid had a "boss", it would be George W. Bush, if I read your comment correctly. But, as your comment is not really based on reality....

    Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:17pm

23. Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:11pm

    I know, and he did it all by himself, with no one there beside him, Kennedy and others feeling as though they had to just force themselves on him to get an opportunity to help. And of course there was the no need to look to the racial pride of 90% or more of black voters, he never, ever once counted on their support and from the outset sought to turn them aside. It was done with imagery not substance, crabwalk, and that's what you're looking at right now.

    I offer you my middle finger. You've earned it.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:27pm

24. Metteyya writes: "Feinstein is a has been - who sold her soul so her and her husband can get rich off ill-advised wars. She is finished in California and probably will not run for re-election. If she does, she will be defeated in the Democratic primary.

    To suggest that such a weak senator is somehow going to push Harry Reid around is foolish and shows a lack of understanding of Feinstein's real power. Feinstein has been reduced to a shadow of her former self, and now is simply a shill for AIPAC."

    Feinstein is far from a has been, she has a huge war chest and can probably hold her senate seat until she dies. There is no way she loses a Democratic primary for her Senate seat. Most of your criticisms are valid, she's a DINO, and has been one of the biggest Democrat supporters of Bush (I wouldn't say she is only a shill for AIPAC but she is certainly very closely aligned to them). I would love to see her ousted, but its a pipe dream.

    Posted by Guiles at 01/07/2009 @ 1:32pm

25. Posted by crabwalk at 01/07/2009 @ 1:07pm

    "Like you guys have taken "responsibility" for Bush?"

    You guys?

    Never supported, never voted for - always opposed - Bush, son, and do to this very minute. Wipe off your telescopic sight, its got duckus on it.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:34pm

26. Posted by Guiles at 01/07/2009 @ 1:32pm

    Stay tuned!

    She will be shocked and embarrassed if she decides to run again.

    Posted by Metteyya at 01/07/2009 @ 1:36pm

27. I don't know why anyone here responds to John Lowell, the racism dripping from his comments about Israel and Obama should disqualify him in anyones mind as a reasonable human being. I'm very concerned about AIPACs influence, but paranoid antisemetic conspiracy theories are not the way to attack it. JL's depictions of Obama as some sort of stepandfetchit character would be laughable if they weren't dripping with his sick rascism. John Lowell is a rascist lunatic that should be left raving in a corner, not treated to serious discussion.

    Posted by Guiles at 01/07/2009 @ 1:40pm

28. We've seen the beginning of this pattern in his lack of response to the Gaza situation also. The man reacts to events, he's not out front of them and never will be.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 1:04pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    BO says he will lots of "comments" on Gaza after the inaugural balls. Of course by then, Israel will have completed their military and political objectives. He has lost face on this issue with the Muslim world which had hopes that his administration would be more even handed. His deference to Bush is baloney - and everyone knows this. Bush wouldn't even let BO stay at Blair House. Now there is a fine example of reciprocity of respect for you.

    I am hoping that BO's past is not prologue for the future. I am hoping that the powers granted to him will transform him from a gifted orator and follower into a leader not afraid to step on toes of the establishment. This hope may be - likely is - naive of course. Still, I do believe that presidential powers do have the capacity to transform an individual - whether for good or bad. I pray that it will be for good.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 1:49pm

29. John Lowell is a rascist lunatic that should be left raving in a corner, not treated to serious discussion. Posted by Guiles at 01/07/2009 @ 1:40pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    I second.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 1:58pm

30. Posted by Guiles at 01/07/2009 @ 1:40pm

    I'll say this to you exactly once, chief: My decription of Obama as an AIPAC Stephin Fetchit is a behavioral, not a racial, critique and he is exactly that, an AIPAC Stephin Fetchit. Futher, my objection to the slavery imposed on our government by AIPAC is a complaint about the actions of Likudists, not Jews, and it always has been. Not just a few Jews agree with me in these complaints, among them the well known historian, Tony Judt, who has paid a real price for speaking out. Your's is an old canard, happily these days about as impactful as a limp penis. But I won't sit still for it being used on me.

    As I feel confident you're aware there's a name for your characterizations of me as anti-semitic and racist and you're in writing. Know you're on notice.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:12pm

31. Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 1:58pm

    Now emile, I've already asked you to leave comments like this in the suicide note. I know that you're smarting but relief will come more quickly that way.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:18pm

32. Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:18pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    tell us more about your limp penis. that explains everything.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 2:25pm

33. This country is nuts and the only true sanity is, blackcoptermedia.com check it out!

    Posted by thesid at 01/07/2009 @ 2:30pm

34. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 1:49pm

    "Of course by then, Israel will have completed their military and political objectives."

    The whole point of the silence, of course. Its really most disingenuous.

    "Still, I do believe that presidential powers do have the capacity to transform an individual - whether for good or bad. I pray that it will be for good"

    No one that is not dead is beyond transformation, OneVote. And we all hope, of course, that none of us are forced to suffer as a result of his limitations. But I'd feel more confident of Obama's rising to the occasion if I felt he were truly his own man and not simply the creature of the narrow interests that have permitted and enabled his ascent. Not all drunks recover, you know. Some die in their own vomit.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:31pm

35. As I feel confident you're aware there's a name for your characterizations of me as anti-semitic and racist and you're in writing. Know you're on notice.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:12pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Isn't it tiresome that Zionists who are filled with atrocity, intolerance, racism, and lies continue to attempt to use anti-semitism to quell any critical discussion of AIPAC and right wing Israel. They are guilty of that which they condemn. Pathetic. Even moderate Jews are labeled anti-semites, self loathing traitors, and Goyim. Pathetic.

    Funny thing is that they can't argue with you logically and so have to change the topic by inserting anti-semitism into the discussion. Childish and deceitful, but effective in many forums. The Zionists ought to take a cue from African Americans and call out anti-semitism (discrimination), only where it is warranted. The Zionists even use a special word for non-Jews - "Goyim." Isn't that discriminatory? Shouldn't Goyim be indignent, especially when Goyim tax dollars are flowing to a country that takes pains to relegate Goyim to lesser class. Enough.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 2:33pm

36. Thank God, can we move on now?

    Posted by Caj at 01/07/2009 @ 2:35pm

37. Not all drunks recover, you know. Some die in their own vomit.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:31pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    And politics and power share many attributes of alcoholism. Agreed.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 2:43pm

38. Some, like me, will die in their own vomit. Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 2:31pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 2:46pm

39. EMILE/JOHANNES and GUILES, john_looney is a liar first and foremost. And not worth it.

    His lame "Progressives should vote for Nader" scam fell flat and now, he's just another Far Righty (of the Buchanan stripe...given his view on Israel)....and nothing more.

    Except his "intense" interest in all things anal....heheh

    Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 2:58pm

40. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 2:33pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    the goyim bit is nonsense, putz

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 3:12pm

41. the goyim bit is nonsense, putz

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 3:12pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Coming from a Zionist that is pretty funny.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 3:19pm

42. tell us more about your limp penis. that explains everything.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 2:25pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    You ought to know. I am sure you are an expert....hahahahah.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 3:23pm

43. I am neither jewish nor am I a Zionist. I am a historian.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 3:23pm

44. I am neither jewish nor am I a Zionist. I am a historian.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 3:23pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Baloney.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 3:36pm

45. Posted by Mask at 01/07/2009 @ 2:58pm

    Oh, yes, Mask, is it? Why not join emile in the car in that enclosed space with the engine running, Mask. There'd be a certain efficiencies that way, you know, two for the same commitment of time that one would otherwise require. I mean you wouldn't want inconvenienced us, would you? And, for a time at least, you could tee-hee and LOL to your hearts content. But try thinking first of the social benefits for the rest of us.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 3:48pm

46. It's funny that no one refers to the public perception of Burris in Illinois... that he's washed up, over the hill, and that there are others who would do the job better. That's not being taken into account here. And there's more than a little smell of "Methinks he protesteth too much" here.

    And to vilify the lame Democrats... remember that there are an equal number of lame republicans in our government. That's why nothing ever gets done. It's all dampened down by mutual cancellation. We need to change the entire system - and that's why all the squeaky growing pains here... it's just bitching on the way to a true and meaningful dissent.

    And JOHN LOWELL... let's see... suggesting suicide, flipping the bird, general mean spirited name calling... If you tried humor and flippant sarcasm I think you could get your point across, whatever that is. But instead you go WAY off topic and get the bloviation award for the day.

    And all the crank about Obama. He is a politician, and by definition, imperfect. But he is gonna be WAY better than GW, to put it mildly. And let's not forget the unspeakable mess that he was left by the republicans. He may never clean things up to everyones satisfaction. It's like people who lost their homes who wreck it before giving it back to the bank. I know the conservatives are hurting over the consequences of GW and Cheney's policies, but cheer up... it was your fault. The best you can do is take off your red hat and try to get along.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 4:35pm

47. It's funny that no one refers to the public perception of Burris in Illinois... that he's washed up, over the hill, and that there are others who would do the job better. That's not being taken into account here. And there's more than a little smell of "Methinks he protesteth too much" here.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 4:35pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    Public perception of Burris takes a back seat to legal process of appointment and seating. Thats why nobody is talking about it. Even Chicago Tribune isn't trying to argue your point. See for instance:

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ columnists/chi-oped0104chapmanjan04,0,6983915.column

    The legal process in place for appointment and seating is what it is. To deny Burris legal process is wrong.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 5:31pm

48. Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 5:31pm

    I'd agree with that. I'd still like to know more about him personally. It seems like a departure from a lot of other electoral processes.

    Thanks for the civil response.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 7:05pm

49. Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 4:35pm

    "And JOHN LOWELL... let's see... suggesting suicide, flipping the bird, general mean spirited name calling... If you tried humor and flippant sarcasm I think you could get your point across, whatever that is."

    Your concern, while touching, would seem to presuppose erroneously that mine is a kind of marketing or sales effort here, friend ficheye. Truth be known, while it would be just fine with me if they did, I couldn't give a rat's behind if even one person here shared my views or approved of my personal style, you included. Mine is not an invitation to a Power Point presentation or an overture in the direction of a deepening personal intimacy. So while you're making your awards for the days, try inserting your trophies where the moon don't shine.

    Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 7:09pm

50. So let me get this straight. Reid is a terrible leader because he did what Obama wanted? These kinds of comments, from Mr. Nichols and the commenters, does far more damage to them than it does to Reid. You have no trouble saying what he does wrong. You offer no solutions as to what he should do right. Ignore Obama? Do whatever Obama tells him? Withdraw in favor of a better leader when no one seems capable of identifying anyone who would be better (or isn't already part of the leadership team)? You do yourselves and our cause no good with this kind of silliness.

    Posted by DodgerLV at 01/07/2009 @ 7:12pm

51. I'd agree with that. I'd still like to know more about him personally. It seems like a departure from a lot of other electoral processes.

    Thanks for the civil response.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 7:05pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    I would too.

    Posted by OneVote at 01/07/2009 @ 7:20pm

52. I am a historian.

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/07/2009 @ 3:23pm

    no mames, güey.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2009 @ 10:16pm

53. Posted by john lowell at 01/07/2009 @ 7:09pm

    Oh, John. Thou art so unflinching in thy caustic responses. I lieth wounded on the plain of thy abominable thought processes. If thou wouldst just click on the ignore button, there would be no carpal tunnel, no spell check, no rats ass to reference; and is not John also a referral to a repository of bodily waste? Then, let it be so! (Woe unto me if I misuseth the semicolon!) All on the Nation would be mightily relieved (!), and wouldst also be delivered from thy intensely negative and psittacine 'discourse'. ....................

    But, back on topic, now that Mr. Burris has been seated, I'll be interested to hear any upcoming disclosures about his record in general, that being sadly lacking, much like Mr. Lowell.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/07/2009 @ 10:31pm

54. The Dem circus over Burris--and other matters as well--does not bode well for the nation. Doesn't Obama want to do better than the criminal, incompetent regime he is succeeding? After initially backing Harry Reid's crusade to keep Burris out, Obama now seems to have changed his mind, opening the Senate doors for Blago's appointment. For his part, Reid is a tower of sugar-free Jello, the flavor of diluted kitten pee, I believe. The man makes even Bill Frist seem like an effective leader. Democrats would be well advised to rid themselves and the nation of Reid as soon as possible--before the voters of Nevada do their work for them.

    Although Obama changes with the wind on the Burris affair as on so many other issues, it is crystal clear that he will stand firm in his tacit backing of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Bantustan. This is because Rahmbo Emanuel is constantly holding a knife against Obama's back, and a knife beats concerns over justice or truth or compassion every time.

    As the mantra goes, "Change we can believe in." Does anyone ever use that phrase unironically anymore?

    Posted by feinfein at 01/08/2009 @ 12:48am

55. This mess is all Blagovevich's scheme to hang on to any thread of legitimacy. What were Reid or Obama supposed to do?

    The man was exposed as a corrupt shakedown artist who was looking to be paid for this particular appointment.

    Reid stated that he would attempt to block any appointments made by Balgovevich. If Reid had accepted Burris without any resistance, he would have been labled a no-spine caver. No reflection on Burris, Reid made this statement before anyone was named.

    Posted by koroviev at 01/08/2009 @ 02:44am

56. Let's hope Nichol's assessment is correct. Gov. Blogo has questionable ethics.. ?... But, Burris has been subpoenaed before the Illinois Senate Impeachment committee. Committee Republicans have promised to grill Burris' ethics..And possible connection to Blagojevich's pay for play scandal.... For the sake of progressive politics and its spill over onto Obama. Let's hope Burris' ethics is better than the Ill. Governors'.

    Posted by cyclezealot at 01/08/2009 @ 07:18am

57. no mames, güey. Posted by frosty zoom at 01/07/2009 @ 10:16pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    an insult? a compliment?

    you call yourself a musician, don't you?

    Posted by emile duBois at 01/08/2009 @ 09:21am

58. If Reid had accepted Burris without any resistance, he would have been labled a no-spine caver. No reflection on Burris, Reid made this statement before anyone was named. Posted by koroviev at 01/08/2009 @ 02:44am

    Yes and yes.

    Too bad for Reid that he looks like Deputy Dawg, the cartoon character.

    Posted by ficheye at 01/08/2009 @ 3:49pm