Durbin: Burris Rejection ‘Not About Race’
EmailI asked Democratic whip Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois this morning what happens when Roland Burris comes to Washington, DC this week to claim the Senate seat he thinks is his?
"I’ve know Roland Burris for over 30 years," Durbin told me on "This Week.’ "No one’s raised any questions about his integrity or his personal background. It’s a question about the process."
Durbin said while disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has the state constitutional authority to fill President-Elect Barack Obama’s senate seat vacancy, the U.S. Senate has the U.S. constitutional responsibility to decide if Burris was chosen in a responsible way.
"Rod Blagojevich has brought questions, raised questions on how this process unfolded," Durbin said, "not reflecting personally on Roland Burris but to make sure that in the end, the person representing the state of Illinois, serving with me in the United States Senate was brought to that position responsibly."
Durbin said unlike Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, Burris won’t be seated provisionally.
"In her case it was a matter of counting the votes," Durbin said, "In Illinois, sadly, because of the allegations against Gov. Blagojevich, there’s a question of corruption."
Durbin defended Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid against reports in the Chicago Sun-Times that Reid advised Blagojevich not to pick African American members of Congress.
"It is an outrage that the Blagojevich people in the last days of their administration facing impeachment in Springfield are now flailing in every direction," Durbin said. "Harry Reid did what anyone would have done as majority leader in the Senate. He called the governor to discuss filling the vacancy."
"The bottom line is this: this is not about race," Durbin said. "We have a proud record in the land of Lincoln of electing African American candidates to statewide office. There is no question about race. When we said at the beginning, Democratic senators said that we are not going to seat an appointment from Gov. Blagojevich it was before he had chosen anyone, black white or brown. So it has nothing to do with race."
–George Stephanopoulos
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It has nothing to do with race, and yet they said NOT to appoint any black candidates, and even went so far as to suggest a couple of white candidates, but no black ones. Hmmmm..
Posted by: Fairfax | January 4, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
LMAO yeah, Dickie “American Troops are Nazis, ” Durbin,….. its not about race ha ha ha ha
Posted by: who cares | January 4, 2009, 11:05 am 11:05 am
Any time Dems can play the race card, they will.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 4, 2009, 11:15 am 11:15 am
Move over Putin, here comes Harry Reid. Fitzgerald needs to produce those tapes ASAP, so Americans can see who is a co-conspirator or not with Blago. Obviously, Reid’s staff admitted to his guilt. Question is what was Harry’s quid pro quo, just as what was Obama’s quid pro quo for his selection? Answer number 1: a trillion dollar corruption package.
It is so unfortunate we elected these stupid people as the tapes will come out and Blago will have some of his own. It is great that Blago waited so long to blow the whistle on Harry Reid.
Posted by: Don | January 4, 2009, 11:29 am 11:29 am
FYI EVERYBODY! Blago arrested 12/09, from 12/10 on, Pres Obama, Senator Durbin on down asked Blago not to appoint anyone! Wouldn’t support pick, no matter who…tainted process now…no credibility. US seat cheapened and suspected for sale. This is ok????
Posted by: ilfossil | January 4, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
George’s Bottom Line…
The U.S. Senate should seat Roland Burris or the they will be so directed by the U.S. Supreme Court to do so upon appeal.
Gov. Blago is the most hated man in Illinois and will be the subject of a 200-300 page indictment with 20-30 federal charges by the U.S. Attorney.
Happy RICOYear.
Joe Lake, Chicago (Bucktown)
Posted by: Joe Lake | January 4, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
The only people who want this to be about race is the corrupt Governor Blago, bobby rush, the hypocrite ambition-hungry Roland burris.. who had calld the governor out 2 weeks ago on the allegations.. until the seat was offered to him.
As a chicagoan,Bobby Rush is a disgrace to the chicago community. This guy is crying out race.. where was he in the 2004 primary when Barack was the only african american on the ballot.. he supported his opponent Blair Hull. So Bobby Rush, spare me the fake outrage, and go home with your buddies Blago and Burris.
Not to mention the republicans are crying out racism too .. forget it repubs.. your pandering to the African Americans won’t work. You will still only manage to get only 5% of the minority vote. As an african american, i would never vote for the party that was against the civil rights movement.. not even if you have a RNC chair named “black”wel. Oh and the GOP wonder boy.. bobby jindal.. he is a joke himself.. cant wait till he reuns for president.. and gets rejected by his own party let alone the american public.
Posted by: O! | January 4, 2009, 11:53 am 11:53 am
Yo Mister Incredible, You and the rest of the Karl Rovians lost the election because of the completely illogical mush you’re trying to peddle here. You have no facts, no logic, just nonsensical attacks.
Posted by: Michael Simpson | January 4, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am
“Harry Reid did what anyone would have done as majority leader in the Senate.”
yeah, he went out of his way to make sure a black man doesn’t get into the senate.
Posted by: JR | January 4, 2009, 11:57 am 11:57 am
The only reason that, Will and the republican sentor on the show today want to delay the stimulous package is that the current ecomonic situation has had no effect on their standard of living. Harry Reed is a power monger. Why does he think that it’s his (Harry Reed) decision to say who will speak for the people from the state of IL. Are the residents of the state of IL so stupid that only Harry Reed knows what’s best? This is what’s wrong with elected offficals today. This is why the country is in the condition it’s in today.
Posted by: bbmfic | January 4, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
There is nothing in the constitution that grants the Senate the power to determine whether its members were appointed in a “responsible” way. Reid and Durbin are attempting to add a qualification that does not exist in the constitution — namely, “not being appointed by Rod Blagojevich.” The ruling in Powell v. McCormack makes very clear that this is exactly the kind of additional qualification that Congress may not add.
Posted by: TKD | January 4, 2009, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
For years I’ve considered the republicans evil, arrogant and self centered. Now I’ve coming to realize that part of their penchant to wromgness comes from the stupidity of the democrats. What a country, two parties, one evil and one dumb as dirt.
Posted by: JR | January 4, 2009, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm
Harry Reid needs to go. He does not do Obama and the Democrats any favors.
I would hope that Obama and the adminstration does not intend to CREATE 600,000 new PERMANENT government jobs. This is not needed.
While Americans want quick action, we want it to be bipartisan, targeted and termporary. We all recongize we have enonormous challenges and would rather use the stimulas for more short term, termporary needs. Save our money for permanent changes that are longer lived and postivily impact the country. (health care, eduacation, etc.)
The FEDERAL debt must be brought under control. Too much debt has gotten indivivdual Americans into trouble and a HUGE national debt will do the same to our nation!
We have seen how messy the TARP program was with a rush to passage. The stimulas porcess musst be open, transparent. After all, Congress and Obama are spending OUR MONEY!
Posted by: scott jeffries | January 4, 2009, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm
Maybe the rejection isn’t about race, but the appointment sure was!
Posted by: LongT | January 4, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Did anyone see the photo of Blago, Obama, Ted Kennedy and their wives?
Posted by: LongT | January 4, 2009, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm
The old politicians of the Republicans and Democratic parties are a bunch of RACIST!!!
America, it is time to clean house!!!!
Posted by: sisterdearest09 | January 4, 2009, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm
To those complaining about a black man not getting into the senate seat vacated by Pres Elect Obama: Wasn’t Blago told not to nominate anyone because they would be tainted by his corruption scandal? This would make sense to me. Everyone would be asking “Did he get here on merit or did he…you know…;)”. I’d rather have Blago and his LT removed and the third in line from the Governorship name an interim replacement to remove all doubt as to who was or wasn’t involved, but that’s just me.
Posted by: ray | January 4, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
Rolland Burris has been a mediocre politician of disposable value, but he
wasn’t a dirt bag. But that is what he is now. In the words of the late Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royco:
“If you lay down with a dog, you get up with fleas.” And Rolland Burris is now
full of fleas, but he behaves like he
doesn’t have any! But he definitely must go through a sanitizing process before he takes his senate seat – if ever.
Surely, this statement nowadays may offend the dog breeds more than it offends Roland Burris, but we now live in the 21st century where “links” matter. And, anybody who is in the same bag, on the same saddle, or on the passenger seat of a Governor arrested for corruption and is under impeachment and waiting for indictment and trial by the federal government, is of the same values and ideals of his host and his publicly discredited promoter.
Burris, for reasons unknown, decided to wade hand-in-hand with
Blagojevich in the governor’s sordid world of corrupt politics. He, therefore, deserves equal values and as much respect as his mentor does – no more, and no less.
Nikos Retsos, retired professor, Illinois
Posted by: Nikos Retsos | January 4, 2009, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm
I think the governor has the legal right to exercise the full privileges of the office until such time as impeachment proceedings begin. If that be true, then Reid may not like this appointment but there isn’t a legal way he can block it. If he knows this, then all his bluster makes him look like an idiot. He should concentrate instead on the efforts by Senate Repubs to block Al Franken’s seating in the Senate after the recount and certification by Minnesota on Monday. That, he has some authority in because he can force a change in rules prior to the new Congressional session with regards to a cloture vote majority. He needs to marginalize the minority party so we can get on to running this country without obstructionists like Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn meddling in the affairs of a decidedly progressive shift in direction that the country voted for.
Posted by: madisonhack | January 4, 2009, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
Speaking of Durbin, Senate Democrats and Constitutional qualifications, seems there are more immediate issues than Burris, namely BHO himself (WHY NO MEDIA COVERAGE OF THIS?) –
MESSAGE TO EVERY MEMBER OF CONGRESS:
When counting the electoral votes, either Congress finds by 1/8/09 that Obama — not being an Article II “natural born citizen” (father Kenyan/British, not American, citizen) — fails to qualify as President whereupon Biden becomes the full fledged President under 3 USC 19 (free to pick his own VP such as Hillary) or thereafter defers to the Supreme Court to enjoin Obama’s inauguration with Biden becoming only Acting President under the 20th Amendment until a new President is duly determined.
The preferable choice, at least for the Democrats, would seem obvious.
Posted by: Ted | January 4, 2009, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm
How much did Burris pay for the Senate seat?
Posted by: JMartin | January 4, 2009, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
What is with the race card being played every day now???? Seriously, the only people THAT EVER bring up race are the dem’s!!! Yet, THE RIGHT WINGERS are called racists. Even some people on the left are getting tired of it. Do you coward lib’s think it will work forever. Keep using it. You’re time will come to an end in 2010/12. You’re unfit to run a gas station.
Posted by: Ryan | January 4, 2009, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
JMartin: How many deals did Pelosi,Reid and Dean promise the superdelegates if they would switch their vote to Obama and what about pay-offs. When you talk about Burris remember Obama wheeled and dealed with Acorn to make sure he won. Get a grip.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | January 4, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
Nothing is more fun than exposing racist dems like Harry Reed. Blago is a genius.
Blago for President in 2012!! I’m starting to love this guy.
Posted by: greg_sh | January 4, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
LongT: The appointment is not about race because Davis and Jones turned it down. Reid wanted Madigan or Duckworth to have that seat. What do you call that. Isn’t Reid a racist? Get a grip. Burris is a good man without a scandal and never dealt with people like Obama that is close friends with the bomber Ayers. Before Obama makes comments he needs to clean out his own closet.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | January 4, 2009, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
Don: You are so right about Reid. He is as racist as they come and the only reason he back up Obama was the fact he didn’t want the Clinton’s back in the White House. Pelosi and Dean were also involved with the underhanded deal on delegates whereby they cheated Hillary to make sure Obama won. Obama met with the superdelegates himself so he is no angel by anymeans. He is corrupt also.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | January 4, 2009, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm
The ole race card is always a temptation for the Democrats…I trust Burris more than I do Obama – considering Burris never dealt with trash like Ayers or ‘Rev’ Wright…
Posted by: Bill | January 4, 2009, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
JR: You are right. Reid does not like blacks in the senate. He only backed up Obama because he didn’t want the Clinton’s in the White House again. By the way, Obama is not black or white he is Mulatto. The news media is dead wrong, he is not the first black president. Jessie Jackson, Sr. would have been if he won because he is 100% black. Obama is the offspring of a black/white marriage and many years ago the offspring was given that name. That name is here to stay.
Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | January 4, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
McConnell thinks we shoule NOT spend nearly one trillion dollars to jump start the U.S. econemy, where was this attitude when the Republicans GAVE more money than that to Fanny May and Freddy Mac and GAVE more moeny than that to the banking system with NO STRINGS ATTACHED and, and? McConnell, where were you then??
Posted by: Dale | January 4, 2009, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
Reading these comments, sounds like all of you are racest!!!
Posted by: u | January 4, 2009, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm
Blagojevich apparently never
returned calls whenever Durbin
would call and leave messages
for the governor. Blago has
has been ignoring Durbin for
a long time.
Durbin is an assistant to the
dumbest senator Mr. Hairy Reede.
Posted by: anon | January 4, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
Burris may be a mediocre
political hack but he is
far better qualified to
be U.S. Senator than
Hairy Reede.
Posted by: anon | January 5, 2009, 12:26 am 12:26 am
Just watch the Republicans dig in their heels and try to obstruct the stimulus package. If it wasn’t for the Republicans we wouldn’t need the stimulus package. From Gingrich all the way to the present, what the Republicans did made it necessary : they gave all the money to the banks, they trumped up a trillion dollar war, they sold off all our jobs to foreigners and generally bankrupted the economy. But these nay-sayers will take issue witn what Obama wants to spend to dig us out, even though they wasted trillions on their corrupt policies. They will parse every dime of Obama’s stimulus package but we wouldn’t need a stimulus package if it weren’t for the Republicans’ raping and pillaging.
Posted by: JL | January 5, 2009, 12:31 am 12:31 am
To Marianne Pepitone,
Just some history. According to the traditional law in this land, 1% makes a person black so Obama is an African American man just like the rest of the African American population which is mostly mixed with Caucasian blood due to the forced relations from slavery…information is always good.
Posted by: Educated | January 5, 2009, 8:45 am 8:45 am
scott jeffries “I would hope that Obama and the adminstration does not intend to CREATE 600,000 new PERMANENT government jobs. This is not needed.”
Yes, heaven forbid Obama’s package includes state aid to prevent the wholesale layoff of firemen and police in the states. You did actually read his proposal and aren’t just spouting off with no knowledge, right?
Posted by: jhw539 | January 5, 2009, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Burris is a mediocre technocrat who may get what’s coming to him. “Be careful what you wish for . . .” As an appointed U.S. Senator, he’ll be invisible for all intents and purposes, and because his ego is so completely out of control, he won’t be happy. He’ll be forever tainted even if seated, and all of those photo ops with Obama in the Oval Office won’t be forthcoming (Raul will see to that). Burris will be reduced to the trappings of the office; he won’t have any real impact inside of Washington, and he won’t win election. I’m sure the Republicans are clamboring for Burris to be seated, because they know in 2 years Burris will be involved in some sort of patronage scandal his term is up. And, by the way, I’m African-American, and I think seating Burris would be a huge mistake. Impeach Blago, and let Lt. Governor Quinn make an appointment as quickly as possible.
Posted by: Laura Brown | January 5, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
==I think the governor has the legal right to exercise the full privileges of the office until such time as impeachment proceedings begin.==
That’s true.
However, the Senate has the Right to block the appointment.
==Reid may not like this appointment but there isn’t a legal way he can block it.==
Yes, there is. Two-thirds vote of the Senate may block an appointment. Trying to block an elected person is another thing.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
==There is nothing in the constitution that grants the Senate the power to determine whether its members were appointed in a “responsible” way.==
Yes, there is. Article I Section 5. The Senate may reject an appointment — not an election — for whatever reason.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
==Mister Incredible, You and the rest of the Karl Rovians lost the election because of the completely illogical mush you’re trying to peddle here. You have no facts, no logic, just nonsensical attacks.==
If THAT’s all you gotta say, then I must be correct.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
==I’m sure the Republicans are clamboring for Burris to be seated, because they know in 2 years Burris will be involved in some sort of patronage scandal his term is up. ==
A fine strategy, by the way.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 5, 2009, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Do I THINK MR. BURRIS SHOULD BE SEATED? ABSULUTLY NOT! THE PEOPLE SHOULD MAKE THIS DECISION. THE GOV. MUST GO.
Posted by: DWAYNE HELKOWSKI | January 6, 2009, 12:24 am 12:24 am
==Do I THINK MR. BURRIS SHOULD BE SEATED? ABSULUTLY NOT!==
You’re on the right and correct side.
== THE PEOPLE SHOULD MAKE THIS DECISION.==
However, the governor has the Constitution on his side. He gets to decide; but the Senate also gets to decide.
== THE GOV. MUST GO.==
We’ll see what the criminal proceeding says.
If he is guilty — and the evidence, so far, apparenlty says he is — he needs to go.
On the other hand, Republicans can only benefit from this thing going on and on and making front page every day, keeping Dem foolishness and shenannigans on top of the stack.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 6, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Personally…….I hope clownbama falls flat on his face….and the ones that voted for this idiot is found to be hungry, homeless and to the point of suicide…
I hope youre left naked in the streets by the same very ones you worship….
and then youre killed by the same very ones you wanted to coddle…..the ones that you slobber over…….the ones you approach on all-fours….
NOW, THATS JUSTICE!!…..
Posted by: Frank | January 11, 2009, 10:05 am 10:05 am
The response to Mrincredible’s posts-”completely illogical mush” highlights so well the left’s mindset. Mrincredible has shot out facts and it’s very apparent that the Left in this country simply choose to ignore the truth when they don’t like or agree with it. What an incredible mindset to carry thru life.
Posted by: Kathy | January 12, 2009, 10:02 am 10:02 am
==The response to Mrincredible’s posts-”completely illogical mush” highlights so well the left’s mindset. Mrincredible has shot out facts and it’s very apparent that the Left in this country simply choose to ignore the truth when they don’t like or agree with it. What an incredible mindset to carry thru life.==
Well, Kath’, we have to respond to them en masse, and I don’t see it that much across the message board spectrum. Then, when I respond with so many posts, answering everybody, they complain that I post too much, that, apparently, there aren’t enough electrons for all, and they resort to personal comments rather than answer the issues I post. It must be very taxing on their “giant intellects.”
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 12, 2009, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
JL : If it wasn’t for the Republicans we wouldn’t need the stimulus package.
LOL………how moronic of you, my friend…..apparently you HAVE NO IDEA as to HOW this credit crunch happened……..apparently youre listening to your homeboy down the street or the local whino at the nearest corner…..
LOL…..the brain numbness of people is so damned entertaining…….
kinda like watching a doctor attempting to change the oil in his car….utterly comical…….
Do yourself a little favor and educate yourself…
Im not talking about going to a class and sitting there with your pencil and reiterating on paper what THEY want to know…or how THEY want you to ‘feel’ about a certain subject…….
Im talking about a topic that you will be able to debate and argue with someone while holding truths and facts in your head…..
You need to find out WHO and WHAT party was the perpetrators….as to what led to this sham…..
Quit relying on your homeboy for your news…….he only gets it off that God-awful hip-hop station….and thats not ‘news’………thats ‘opinion’….
all of you obama voters are stupid…….plain as that…
and you, as well as your counterparts shouldnt have the priviledge of voting….
Posted by: Frank | January 13, 2009, 6:37 am 6:37 am
BTW people…….
You better gear up and hold on because EVERYTHING is racial now…..
EVERYTHING and EVERY TOPIC or ISSUE is going to be ‘racial’…
This election was nothing more than a racial election….an attempt to raise the black man higher than the White Man….
Well, you people got what you wanted….
LOL……..just wait until AFTER inaguration…..
I cant wait to see, in the next year, just WHO and what organizations of the blacks are going to rise up in this nation…..
Whites want to include blacks……..
blacks want dominion over Whites…..
Maybe not the ones you play in the sandbox with…..but the ones that you DONT know will attempt to CONTINUE to let you know just how ‘guilty’ you STILL are…..
As we have turned to love ; they have turned to hate….
youll see….
Posted by: Frank | January 13, 2009, 6:44 am 6:44 am
==If it wasn’t for the Republicans we wouldn’t need the stimulus package.==
As Frank says, in other words, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
In the nineties, Clinton and the Dems, led by Barney Freak, rejected regulation of the mortgage lending industry. They said that everybody should have a house, to be able to afford one. It is the Republicans who wanted regulation that would have precluded the mess we’re in right now.
Not only that, President Bush, in ’04, warned that this mess was coming.
So, it would be nice if you would get your history straight, if nothing else.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 13, 2009, 11:47 am 11:47 am
==Whites want to include blacks……..
blacks want dominion over Whites…..==
Frank, the situation we’re in today is interesting:
Blacks, for instance, have complained that “da man” keeps them down.
Well, now, one-a their own is gonna be president. He will BE “da man.” They have no excuse now.
Posted by: Mr. Incredible | January 13, 2009, 11:49 am 11:49 am