CNN

Roland Burris is not the typical politician. He is intelligent, hard-working and honest.

I know it upsets Obama that one of the candidates on the "short-list" he submitted to Blagojevich was not selected, but Obama is not part of the selection process for the senate seat he vacated. Neither is Harry Reid, but that has not stopped either of them from complaining.

I hope the whining from Reid and Obama is not an example of the change that we are going to get over the next 4 years.

this was some move the guy made..........no comment.

what that fool Blagojevich did, by appointing that graeat african american civil servant , was done out of sheer SPITE against the younger fine african american named jackson merely because jackson- well within his right and obligation -defended himself against allegations that he had acted and worked to court favour with Blago.

Barbara C is correct and anyone who would accept an appointment by Blago disqualifies themself.

Burris actually isn't a bad choice. Its just unfortunate that the man that chose him is political slime.

I was expecting this.It is interesting how the dynamics go. From one part the governor – deep in CORRUPTION- still in power (nobody wants him there)- yet the 'staus-quo' remains.
On the other hand there are someones that are trying heavily to substantiate and excuse HIS WRONG AND QUESTIONABLE PRACTICES so CORRUPTIONS SEEMS OK, no matters what.
Where are we going to go with this?,....simple:- we a are going to go to the destruction of our nation: values , and perspectives are going already down the hill.
But then again this might be only a phase( I CERTAINLY DO HOPE SO) and soon after the 'Obama-wave' and the CHICAGO CORRUPTED POLITICAL ATMOSPHERE from where Obama is a product, will eventually dissipate, then a set of decent and caring leaders should come to hold the helm of our beloved country.
In the mean time we need to be ALERT TO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING , or otherwise there will be nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LEFT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

Let's think about this very seriously,...please , let's do so, OK?

Sincerely,
Daniel Cabrera
Merrillville, Indiana

Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, or in this case, the firewater. He may be a good man, and worthy of consideration.

Good move Gov. Blago! I hope you get to sing like a canary!

I can hardly wait to see Governor Blojo's prison haircut. LOLOL

Sounds like he needs to retire.More of the same,part of theCHICAGO MACHINE.

if the man is qualified who cares if the man who appoint's him is not qualified. I agree that the minorities should atleast have represenative persentives in the governent.

If Burris is such a great man, he should reject this appointment. How is it that he has no comment about governor today, while two weeks ago he supported the recall attempt?

Can't people of Illinois recall this "thief" via a special election? Does anyone know if IL has such a law?

It's too bad that Gov. Rod wasn't about the business of government before. He should have had someone in that spot within a week of the election, once it was decided for President Obama. This man is a sorry excuse for a governor. Oh and you Republicans don't bother dissing him. Remember, the last govenor, A REPUBLICAN, is sitting in jail. It''s not the political party that is the problem – it's the raw power.

ran -- December 30th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

.........The IL supreme court should pick the person to succeed Obama

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Why?

Their job is to interpret the law?

How does appointing a Senator interpret the law?

According to the Illinois State Constitution, the Governor is the sole authority to appoint a person to a vacant U.S. Senate seat.

Sorry guys.....but Blago is still the Governor of Illinois and is 100% within his official gubinatorial rights to appoint Burris to the seat.

BTW......he's also innocent.......until PROVEN guilty. As much as I don't like him.......nothing against him has been proven......yet!

To ensure integrity, Illinois really has no choice but to hold an election to fill Obama's seat. This governor can never be entrusted with anything again! As for his proposed stooge, this man has no honor or pride or else he would have told the governor thanks but no thanks. As for Bobby Rush, his idiotic and racist comments are as low as whale dung!

Good choice. He will be a great interim Senator!

Burris could be the second comming of Christ ...

But it wouldn't matter

Anything Blagojevich does since being caught Red Handed ... is Bogus

What a waste of people's lives ...

Rod ... if you really care about the people of Illinois, like you say you do ...

Go HOME ...

Just how much did/does Burris owe Gov. "B" ?

I do know Roland Burris! He is a very knowledgeable and honorable former public servant from Illinois. We would be well served with Burris in the U.S. Senate representing us. I can't stand Blago, but It's time to move on with Burris as our U.S. Senator!!!

Keep fighting Gov. Rod Blagojevich and spill them beans on Obama!!

this smells...

PUT BURRIS IN THE SAME POT WITH BLAGO AND BOIL THEM.

Blagojevich's is a sick man .......what ever Fitzgerald and the democratic cacus in Chicacgo are going to do..... need to move swiftly this guy is a walking time bomb ....he will take his own life and others

Today's announcement was just another show of Blago's arrogance (or stupidity?) – just trying to look like a real governor instead of a criminal. Too bad it didn't work.

Governor Blojo is deliberately trying to dirty everyone in his political mess. I see nothing wrong with Burris, but, I prefer Jesse Jr.
Anyway, lock Governor Blojo in jail where he belongs and stop this political charade.... his 15 minutes are way over!

Well.... in my humble opinion Jesse jackson Jr. should have that senate seat.

Burris is an IDIOT for taking this seat, knowing what went on, and knowing that he is creating a problem for Obama right off the bat.

Another Reverend Wright?

Glad to see from the comments here that "presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law" is alive and well in this democracy of ours!

mr. burris should say thanks but no thanks to gov. blago. any one can see that he is being used by gov.blago.he should want to stay as far away as possible from this man.

Governor Blagojevich is nothing more than a self serving and repugnant scumbag, dragging everything great and democratic into the muck and the mud with his filthy selfishness. He and his gold digging wife care nothing for the American people or the people of Illinois, never mind the Democratic party. You'd think he was a Republican.
He and the gold-digger need to be dragged from the Governors mansion by the people of Illinois!
AMEN!
Jonathan

"No way" says: "I don't care if this guy is the second coming of Christ. "

It is better than that! Following Obama's example he has played the race card hoping his pick will be sacred and above criticism.

Gov. Blagovich should sing the theme from the movie "Moonracker".

Unfortunately, qualified of not, accepting the seat from Blagocorruptovich was foolish. Even if he keeps the seat, he will have sour stench of scandal on him, especially since he donated handsomely to the governor.

Burris should have declined the position when named: it might have actually gotten him the seat by doing so. However, to save face, the Senate Democrats really have to block him. He needed to say "no" to say "yes".

The fact that Burris would accept this tainted appointment suggest to me that he is just as unethical as the governor who has appointed him.

Burris could be another Obama, I don't care. The issue is that he accepted an appointment that should not have been. I believe I see a man who is blinded by ambition and one who does not exercise very good judgement.

No way will be serve the people of Illinois or all of America well!!

Let's start a pool and see who can pick how much he paid.

I think you all need to read up on the Constituional powers of the Senate. Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats have no constituiional power whatsoever to block the Burriss appointment.

Why in the world is Burris kissing up to the Governor? He looks guilty by taking his side. He should've told the Governor – "thanks, but no thanks." Burris is clearly just out for himself.

I wonder would you be the pick if the Gov was not under investigation? are you a token?

I don't care if this guy is the second coming of Christ. He should not fill that seat. I'm shocked that he is so willing to do so. The fact that Burris is so willing to accept the position even when Obama and the Senate said no to any Blagojavich pick makes me think he's just as dirty as the Governor. No way.

Bravo Blago!

Those "saintly" Dems don't want a special election so the IL people can decide who their next senator will be because they want to annoint their own African-American BxO successor, so bravo Blago for shoving their hypocrisy back in their pious faces!!

LOOL!

Although the person chosen may be well qualified, I hope Illinois doesn't approve it. Under the circumstances, I don't think Burris should have accepted the job. He had to know this was a spiteful move on the part of a crooked Governor to use his power.
So Illinois..vote no to anyone this Govenor selects! And get this Govenor out!!

Watch the Senate throw this right back to Blago. They will never accept one of his appointments, regardless of color, creed or comitment. And the guy that accepted is not to bright and does not care to much for Obama. Maybe he is one of those that feels that Obama isn't "black enough" you know a Jesse Jackson type. The old pharts, that don't get it.

My name is Tyrone Brown and I am a Proud Obamacrat from Seattle Washington. I stand 100% behind the decision of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the expressed wish of President-Elect Barack Obama to not seat anyone nominated by Blagojevich.

I am writing my state's Senators (and I suggest my fellow Democrats to the same) to ask them to support the Senate Democratic Caucus and the President-Elect, and not allow the Govenor to make a mockery of the Senate seat and continue snub the Democratic leadership.

Also, I think it is important to weigh in on the decision by Illinois Representative Rush to use the "race card" during the Burgess press conference. Race does not and should not have any bearing in the decision to seat the vacant Senate seat. If the election of Barack Obama (the next generation of leadership) tells us anything, it is that the old rhetorical use of "race" is a very weak card to play. It's so 20th century!

This seems like a good pick. It is Blagojevich's way of screwing everyone. It will be interesting to see why Burris agreed to this, however. I guess he had nothing better to do.

How come this guy accepted? It makes me wounder. I believe no one picked by this Gov. should accept. The IL supreme court should pick the person to succeed Obama.

Rubbish!

Via Campaign Diaries:

"What happens if Burris drags the Senate to court for refusing to seat him (a suit he should win based on precedent) but the Illinois state legislature impeaches Blagojevich and elevates Pat Quinn as Governor before the court renders its decision? Could Pat Quinn cancel Blagojevich's decision and appoint a new Senator since Burris would not yet be seated?

Would that depend on whether Jesse White has certified the appointment? Even if White has no legal right not to sign the document, he could potentially delay legal proceedings long enough for the legislature to impeach Blagojevich."

By the fact Burris accepted this nomination tells me that he is also a corrupt politician. A person with a sense of integrity will not touch this nomination with a 10 foot pole. Mr Burris shows poor judgment and that is not a would be senator that I would want defending my state.

Mr. Burris has enjoyed a good reputation in Illinois. I fear Bobby Rush hurt Mr. Burris' reputation by insinuating that the reason he needs to be senator is because of his race.. Brown's thinking is discriminatory....he insinuates non-whites do not have the capabilities (which they do) to accept this posititon. Mr. Burris has enough problems on his hands due to his appointment by Blagojevich, so Bobby, leave him alone!

Is he related to Plaxico Burris, the New York Giants wide receiver who sot himself in the thigh? Since he may have just shot down his chances for representational government by agreeing to be Governor Blockhead's stooge.

Poor Idiot dosen't know when he's being used. Hey on the flip side he might fit right in Washington.

Blago is a real goon. You know its sad. Rules are actually not made for the average population, they are made for the idiots who do not believe that they are accountable to anyone. If Burris is so darn distinguished shouldn't he have known not to get his tat in this sort of ringer.

he just got picked by a felon

You've got to wonder why anyone at all would accept this appointment. No matter how clean they are, they are now tainted in everyone's minds.

It is unfortunate that Burris wanted this job so badly, that he let a crook appoint him. Along with Blago, Burris has made a mockery of our State in front of the world. Please, please, Senate Dems, do not seat him!!!

the gov is doing the right thing when he appointed Burris.. the gov followed the constitution of the usa... this is more than i can say for the idiot in the whitehouse......Obama better read the constitution again and figure out what it means.... like being a natural us born citizen

I feel bad for him. I don't know anything about him or if I would support him based on his mertis but he won't get a fair shake. Just another selfish move by Blago. Now his appointee will never get a chance to serve in the senate like he may well deserve. Blago needs to be rotting in a cell by now.