Closing Arguments: Burris and the Senate Seat

I would love to have seen Valerie Plame in this position.

NO! Absolutely not! Our disgraced governor should not have the power to appoint anyone!

Of course not! What planet is Burris from? Where the heck is common sense? He’s not allowed to sit in the Senate seat. Stop being a bully or exhibitionist. Do it the right way and COOPERATE!!!!

Despite the apparent legality of this appointment, it is extremely inappropriate for the Senate to seat Burris. There are too many unanswered questions concerning the Illinois Governor, and assuming his upcoming impeachment, allowing his senator to be seated would be a slap in the face to Illinoisans.

Yes, I think that Roland Burris should be seated as the senator from Illinois. The governor exercised the legal authority to make the appointment. He still holds the position as governor. Furthermore, the governore has approved a special election for Rahm Emmanuel’s congressional seat and this action was approved by the Illinois Secretary of State. So, why not approve the action to appoint Roland Burris? He’s more than qualified to hold the position as US Senator.

No, Mr. Burris should definately NOT be seated in the Senate on Tuesday. He is an opportunist who was unable to be elected to any major office so he simply saw this as his last chance..but, to take an appointment from our crooked governor????? He has destroyed his reputation and to have allowed the race card to be thrown into the mix besides is simply deplorable!

NO, Burris will just be another squatter in Washington.

Burris should not be seated.

Polosi and Reid aren’t from Illinois; they don’t have a say in who represents that state; it’s the typical WAH-WAH-WAH attitude of Democrats in congress. They have more important things to do than squabble about this and that they are concerned about the “tainted image” this appointment brings is LAUGHABLE.

YES – the governor is still the governor and has the right to make this appointment, until and unless he is impeached.

Yes, otherwise no other Senator is eligible to seat in the 100-man chamber. A governor’s exercise of a valid constitutional right cannot be invalidated by politicians acting like moralists. Democrats are taking risks with the electorate and they may implode to the benefit of Republicans.

I think Mr. Roland Burris should be sworn in as senator to fill the seat left by Mr. Obama.

Burris should undoubtly be seated. The Senate is toying with Illinois’s right to be represented. Look at what the last black senator accomplished. Think maybe perhaps the senate doesn’t want a repeat.

Mr. Burris should not be seated. A corrupt Govenor should not be allowed to conduct state Business. Illinois has one ex-govenor in prison (who swhould stay there)and now another is under fire. What does the world think of Illinois now. I am ashamed to be a citizen of Illinois!

No doubt Burris should be seated since Blagojevich remains that state’s governor. Until Blagojevich is removed, he must perform all the duties he vowed to take on behalf of his state.When he took is oath, he consumated a contract to act; if he does not, he breaks his contract. Burris is not on any level a part of Blagojevichs’ breach (if, in fact, he is actually found guilty of said breach).

Of ‘course-NO constitutional reason not to, unless we dont follow constitution anymore

Yes he should be seated. Blagojevich is the governor. Period! If we are a nation of laws then stop playing around. Just because I don’t like a law does not mean I don’t have to obey it. The senate makes laws but they should also abide by them. We don’t get a chance to pick and choose. They need to set the example and recognize the appointment and move on. There are too many more important issues than worry about this. In two years, if he wants to run again, that is his business and the business of the Illinois voters.
These folks are acting like spoiled kids.
Unfortunately, too often, our legislators DO NOT look at what is good for the country but whit is whimsical to them.
Seat Roland Burris and move on!

If it seems a little unfair to Mr. Burris then thats just too bad. Our leaders should be held to a higher standard that the rest of us. If there is even the slightest hint of improper conduct, He should not be allowed to take part in making the decisions that effect the lives of everyone in this country. If we continue to accept government corruption, then we deserve the country we’re sure to end up with. This is much more important than Roland Burris’ career.

No. Appointment is not legal with the appropriate State certification. Why should the Senate ignore the certification and seat him.

NO WAY! Roland Burris should not be seated, the only fair way is to hold an election. Then you might have a slight chance of it being somewhat legal!

I agree with Karen Doney. Burris has not done anything wrong, that we know of.
Yes, he should be seated!

In Illinois the Governors appointment must be certified. The Burris appointment has not been certified, hence Mr. Burris should not be seated. More importantly, the appointment process has been so sullied that Illinoisans want a special election rather than more inside dirty dealing from the bottom of the deck.
Our politicians do not deserve nor do they have our trust. Unfortunately, this senate seat is being treated as just a Chicago appointment. The entire state deserves a voice. Give the people the special election. Stop inflating the cost for the special election as that excuse further erodes our trust in our elected representatives. Elected representatives who should be serving the people not abusing the privaledge we have bestowed upon the public servants.

NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT. Mr. Burris has shown himself to be nothing but an extreme opportunist and an egomaniac. What person in their right mind would take an appointment from a crooked Governor who is accused of selling this very seat. Certainly someone who is not decent and personally, I think a desparado just trying to get some attention. He is making IL look more like a laughingstock each day this charade plays on.

Yes he should be seated.
Exactly when was the trial and the conviction and for that matter, where is the evidence?

Burris & the Senate Seat:
Roland Burris is a very credible political leader with many years of proven ability as the Illinois State Comptroller and later Attorney General. He has been legally appointed by the current Governor. The only other recourse of political action would be a Special General Election which is not in the offering.
The State and Federal Government owes it to the long suffering citizens of Illinois to avoid another circus… just follow the rule of law!

Somebody please get the HOOK, and get that SHAMELESS EGOMANIAC Roland Burris off of the circus stage!!! He is so desperate to be “somebody”, he has sold his soul and Paid to Play! How pathetic of an attempt at a Hail Mary than to play the race card! The evident poor judgement is a clear example of Burris’s inability to be a representative of the people of Illinois. We are embarrassed by the arrogance and mockery he’s made of our legal and judicial system, not to mention our State….put him next to the Governor for the Dumb and Dumber Club honor roll!

Burris should NOT be seated. I am a black Democrat who resides in Illinois. I am very familiar with Burris. He is an arrogant person who thinks he’s entitled to everything. He’s not taking this appointment to serve the people of Illinois. He just wants something else to add to his resume. That being said I don’t think legally we will be able to stop him. I blame the Democrats in this state who had the ability to put this seat to an election.
Just because it’s legal does not make it right. Remember slavery was legal at one time. King David had the right to send Bathsheba’s husband in the midst of battle because he was the King. However, it wasn’t right and he suffered the consequences.

yes the governor is still governor he has the power to make the appointment after all we are in united state innocent until prove guilty well come o people bring it on lets practice what we preach.

Anyone, black or white, who claim that those opposed to seating Roland Burris are somehow displaying racism are really disingenuous.
Governor Blagojevich showed his disdain not only for the people of Illinois but for the U.S. Constitution and our entire system of government.
Roland Burris might be a decent man, but he is not without his own conceit and arrogance in accepting a senate seat he did not earn due to a cynical ploy from a disgraced governor.
To say that those opposed to Burris becoming a U.S. Senator are racists is completely idiotic because one of the people opposed to the nomination is President-elect Obama.
Thanks to U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald and Gov. Blagojevich, the people of Illinois and our incoming president are being deprived of our rightful representation in the U. S. Senate.
There are more accommplished politicians in Illinois than Roland Burris, both black and white. One of them is a State Representative named Karen Yarborough.

Yes he should be seated. Blagojevich is the governor. Period! If we are a nation of laws then stop playing around. Just because I don’t like a law does not mean I don’t have to obey it. The senate makes laws but they should also abide by them. We don’t get a chance to pick and choose. They need to set the example and recognize the appointment and move on. There are too many more important issues than worry about this. In two years, if he wants to run again, that is his business and the business of the Illinois voters.
These folks are acting like spoiled kids.
Unfortunately, too often, our legislators DO NOT look at what is good for the country but what is whimsical to them.
Seat Roland Burris and move on!

Roland Burris should NOT be seated in the Senate. As a citizen of Illinois, I am truly embarrassed and ashamed that we have become the joke of the nation. We are no longer the “Land of Lincoln.” Against the wishes of the average citizen of Illinois, we have become the big top of the nation hosting the most outrageous circus of all time. Roland Burris has said nothing about wanting to help Illinois heal and repair its image. He has been a good public servant to the state, but he is not representing the people of Illinois by encouraging a corrupt governor. There is no question in my mind that the Democrats will lose that seat in 2 years. God help the citizens of Illinois.

Burris should be seated.
The governor of Illinois was not convicted of any crime, and the Secretary of Illinois gives him the power to appoint a senator of his choice, and the Governor may take the floor of the Senate to state his case. The senate hath not the power to turn away a choice for Senator in which the governor was given that authority by the state legislature and the constitution of Illinois.
It’s the law.

Our legislators do not have the right to change the law, to justify themselves
The law is as it is written, so shall it be done;So seat Roland Burris and lets move on!Have we not more pressing matter to deal with, when will we as a nation wake up!Where is the Love!

No way. Corrupt individuals should be stripped from their powers.

I do not think Mr. Burris should
be seated in the Senate under the circumstances. Also, if the people of Illinois had wanted him in that position, they would have voted him in when he ran for it.

To Sarah at 12:33…
You said, ” As a citizen of Illinois, I am truly embarrassed and ashamed that we have become the joke of the nation. We are no longer the “Land of Lincoln.”"
Well, dear Sarah, I understand your shame! You are NOT the Land of Lincoln!
You lost that honor when you decided to cast your lot with Democrat criminals!!!

And Sarah, you cast your lot with people who believe, “No no no!!! NOT God BLESS America! God D*MN America!!!”
Shame on you!
And shame on Illinois Democrats!

To LarryB: Did you forget that the REPUBLICAN criminal, George Ryan, is cooling his heels in a federal prison as we speak? He actually got convicted for pay-to-play. Last I heard, he was begging to be listed on Dubya’s pardons list!!

Though I disagree with the antics of the current governor of Illinois and all signs guilt points towards Blagojevich – he is still the governor till he is proven guilty of wrong doings in a court of law and and whatever decision follows to remove him and strip him of his gubernatorial powers. In the mean time he has full right even during a federal investigation to excercise the powers of his goevernorship. Mr. Burris has not been named as a co-conspirator in this allegation nor is he the subject of the investigation. Why shouldn’t the governor excercise his right? It is utterly rude of the senate especially that of our senate leader Mr. Reid to have decided the fate of this innocent man. He was appointed by the governor, do the right thing and seat the gentleman with respect. Fortunately we live in a society of rules and one shouldn’t take the law into their own hands without the basic due process. what do we gain from all this shananigans ? except strip the constituents of Illinois a voice in the senate till all this foolishness can be resolved.

Yes Mr. Burris should be seated he has been appointed by an acting Governor that has not been convicted of any crime at this time.Seat the man and move on.

Burris is a milquetoast who’s only good at self-promotion. Not only are his kids and grandkids named Roland (II, III, etc.) & Rolanda, he’s already got this HUGE grave marker in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago marked “TRAIL BLAZER” with his list of accomplishments. He had hoped to put on the top line, “Illinois’ First Black Governor,” but it was left blank after his loss to Blago in 2002.

I support Roland Burris as the next USSenitor from the great state of ILLinois

Marthastew….
maybe Burris is just getting ready to follow Illinois precedent and vote after he is DEAD!!!!
Ahhh yes, a time honored democratic tradition!
rotflol

No, No, No, Burris should not be seated. Don’t make this a racial issue. I don’t care if Blago picks someone who is pink, green, purple, white or black, whoever he picks is just cooking their on goose if they accept, just like Burris is doing. Just another thumbing of the nose or the middle finger to all the citizens of Illinois by Blago.

Burris won’t be seated because the Secretary of State refused to sign and notarize the recommendation by Blago since he’s about to be impeached–he’s trying to cause as much damage as possible before being PHYSICALLY removed from office. Did you know that Tony Rezko was one of Blago’s biggest fundraisers?? He hasn’t been sentenced yet because he’s about to flip on Blago for a shorter sentence. The tapes are not “just talk.”

Marthastew, THANK YOU for reminding us about REZKO!!!!

This diversion is very reckless. It is clear that many Americans as a whole are not willing to study issues and make sober considered judgments based on facts, and not simply fall for the reckless rhetoric of the often poorly informed media mavens and pundits.
Anyhow, former Illinois attorney-general Roland Burris is a well-versed legal tactician and a determined public servant. Facts are: he’s won all the state general elections in which he was a candidate by a higher percentage than any of the other candidates in those races.
The dismissive response of the media and other parties does not well serve the public interest.

I am truly embarrassed that Bobby Rush has resorted to “Al Sharpton-like” tactics of using such terms as “plantation politics, hang, lynch, or standing in the door (i.e. George Wallace)” to describe the Burris affair. Obviously, Rush’s cancer-addled mind isn’t working properly. Look, nothing was ever written in stone that Obama should be replaced by a AfAm candidate. What about another woman or a Hispanic, aren’t they minorities too? Blago’s just loving it that racial factions are turning against each other, and it makes AfAms look petty. Let Burris duke it out in a special election–like John Ashcroft, he’ll probably lose to the dead guy!! Senator Reid, STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!!! Remember, the last time someone tried this we ended up with Clarence Thomas, and we’re stuck with him until the day he dies!

No, the arrogance of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has showen how corrupt our government is and all the favors that are given to special canadates for the position of the senate seat. First money and lets make the big bucks now- lets do this the right way, Gov. You got caught and now Illinois Gov. you should be locked up in a jail cell. This is just the tip of the ice berg leave it up to the American people, vote the new senator in office.

To Metra: Burris may have won Comptroller and Attorney General, but really, he was getting elected to be the state’s CPA–not a very high-powered postion, if you ask me. Basically, he won because he wasn’t seen as a threat. You seem to forget that he lost the gubinatorial election THREE TIMES!! He couldn’t even rally the AfAm “power base” in Chicago to vote for him.

LarryB…Clarence Thomas is a Republican. I guess there are clean and articulate Blacks on both sides of the aisle.

Given the circumstances, I was surprised that a veteran pol like Burris would choose to slide head first into the United States Senate on a Rod Blagojevich’s slime trail. Right or wrong, it’s plainly a poor decision and a decision that does not reflect the will of the electorate,even if they don’t have a say at this very moment.
Guilty or innocent transcripts of the Blagojevich wire taps reveal a stunning lack of integrity and character. Upon reading the transcripts I personally no longer feel Blagojevich is competent to make the decision. His choice was one of desperation and self preservation. Most see this for what it is and have chosen to reject it.
The law may in the end support Burris but his stay in the Senate will last until the precise moment that voters have a say in the matter.

Marthastew, you said, “LarryB…Clarence Thomas is a Republican. I guess there are clean and articulate Blacks on both sides of the aisle.”
YOU were the one who attacked Clarence Thomas! *I* was the one defending him!
Let me see…YOU are black. I am white. YOU attacked a black. I defended a black.
Hmmmmmmmmmm!!!!! ;-)
And my point was that it was Democrat Joe Biden who makes racist statements like calling Barack Obama a “CLEAN BLACK MAN” and yet you and all the other Demcorats have NO problem with that!
WOW!!!
I say that YOU should judge a man by the content of his character. But NO! Clarence Thomas is a Republican and therefore you attack him no matter how good he is!
(Just to remind YOU and everyone what YOU as a black woman said….”Senator Reid, STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!!! Remember, the last time someone tried this we ended up with Clarence Thomas, and we’re stuck with him until the day he dies!)

Marthastew, you also said, “Harry Reid is being slimed only because BLAGO and Bobby Rush said it was about race.”
You are beginning to sound like a certain uncle!!
NO! It isn’t because certain people said something. Harry Reid CALLED Gov. Blago and named THREE blacks that he did NOT want to see nominated!! Who is the racist? Which is the PARTY of racism?!?!?!
Your support of blatant racism as a black woman is stunning MARTHA!!!

For the SOB Governor Blagojevich really is I think he should have appointed himself to the seat. Could you imagine how funny it would be to see Blagoievich and Sen. Reid on the steps of the capital Tuesday morning for a photo opt before the national press!! I would have to be there for that one.

Yes, he should be seated if he is qualified — which he undoubtedly is. The governor’s problems with the law have nothing to do with Mr Burris.

No, Burris and Blago should have waited until everthing was clear before going to the next step. Just common sense.

You don’t change the fundamental principles of the law in the middle of an election. Burris is the Senator, anything but that will be corrupt and not serve democracy.
Since this now is in the hand of the Democratic Party, the same people you handed Obama four – 4 – delegates Hillary Clinton won in a referendum, I am not optimistic for the shape of democracy.

No!
Considering the situation, the Democrats should have had more faith in the citizens of Illinois in supporting a special election to fill this position. Even if their fears had been realized and a Republican had been voted into the position…it would have been better than it being filled by the Governor.
I believe that the citizens of Illinois would have chosen the best candidate…and not determined by sex, race or “dirty politics”!
With his smug grin and cocky attitude…it makes me wonder what has motivated Mr. Burris…perhaps a healthy pension in the future…
He is not my choice now…nor will he be in the future. I have a hard time believing he would win the seat in the future…
It is time for America to find its moral compass…there HAS to be public servants that are honest and ethical…even in Illinois.

Burris is a political predator to press the issue of his interim appointment to President-Elect Obama’s former Senate seat in light of the criminal corruption charges facing Gov. Blagojevich. His appointment will be, therefore, tainted, and wether he will be able to bring to bear on the senate the benefit of his many years of public service in many roles is quite questionable. However, since his reputation, as I understand it, is impeccable, and unless state or federal law is violated by seating him, Illinois needs and deserves congressional representation. Therefore, the business of the nation, which is very pressing at this moment in time, demands that the Senate seat Roland Burris
as the interim Junior Senator from Illinois.

Roland Burris is and always has been a Chicago Machine yes man hack. You’d have to live in Chicago to understand how little regard Burris is held in. He’s never done anything of particular notice. In his own twisted mind, this Senate appointment is the last line to be engraved on his marble mausoleum. This is the face of Illinois and Chicago Machine politics. Barack Obama stepping onto the international stage may just be the bright light needed to wake up the rest of the country to just how corrupt Illinois politics are. Obama is a product of this sleazy culture.
Read that again: Obama is a product of this sleazy culture.

==he should be seated if he is qualified — which he undoubtedly is. The governor’s problems with the law have nothing to do with Mr Burris.==
However, the Senate has a duty, too, and it is not required to accept the appointment.

==Mr. Burris should be seated he has been appointed by an acting Governor that has not been convicted of any crime at this time.==
Appointment is not election.
The Senate has a say-so, and it may reject the appointment.

Roland Burris should not be seated. Contrary to what some believe, the appointment is not valid as Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White did not give his required signature. Thank you Mr. White!

It saddens me to see American politics sink to a new low with Roland Burris’ farcical attempt to assume the Illinois Senate seat. I am shocked by Mr. Burris’ attempt use the Constitution and legalese to provide cover for the lowest form of political opportunism. It may indeed be legal for him to assume the Senate seat: however, it is entirely lacking in this little thing called ‘decency’. FYI, there are many things in this world which are legal, but which fly in the face of what the average person thinks of as decent. Any number of politicians have prematurely terminated their political careers by doing things that, while legal, were nonetheless beneath the dignity that their office carries.
I have to wonder about the political judgment and savvy of a man who would accept an appointment to a position mired in controversy from a person even more mired in controversy. Does Mr. Burris honestly think that he can benefit from the media circus that follows his every move? How can he possibily effectively serve the people of Illinois when most members of the Senate wouldn’t want to be caught dead talking (let alone cooperating) with him? This defiant streak that Mr. Burris and Gov. Blageovich seem to have in common is most unseeming: the people of Illinois should be embarrassed to be represented by such types. And as an African American, I am offended by any attempts to frame opposition to Burris as racism: I would rather there not be any African-American senator than there be one who is an embarrassment to our people. At the end of the day, I hope that we Americans can quickly put such foolishness behind us and focus completely on the real problems that our country is facing.

Burris is a prime example of nothing good ever coming out of our town. He brings disgrace to the entire community, no matter what Becky Ault says to the news stations. He is bringing dishonor to Centralia and all of Illinois, just as our self-centered governor who is above even living in the governor’s mansion in Springfield.