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Ms. Johnson and Anonymous, Blago tries to sell a Senate seat, it's caught on tape, and you try to blame the Republican appointed prosecutor. This is a self-inflicted Democratic fiasco. It's about time you realize that corruption knows no party lines. Fitzgerald acted when he did because if he waited Blago would have sold the seat. How much worse would that have been for IL and the country?

Looks alot like the Roman Senate,only they used daggers.

Uhhh, German Irish what state do you hail from that has pristine and ethical politics? Florida? Ohio? Alaska? I'm sure that everyone from your home state is fair and true. Give me a break.

BB, that's the reason why I believe he should be blocked. This was done purely based on race by Gov. Blago. BB, I'm not referring to you with this next comment, but I am so sick of people trying to act like now they're concerned about black voters. Look there are racists on the right and the left, with the Democrats and Republicans, you can't school black folks on racism. Remember that.

Reading TOODARKMARK it's not that 57 Senators don't want Burris it's 57 Senators don't want Blago making the pick. I hate to fight my party on this but Burris should be seated....it's the LAW and if we want to be the party that follows the LAW then we must approve the pick. I would have liked to see J.J.R. in that spot but we don't always get what we want. Reid is who I want to see go away as a DEM I feel he is the one that hurts our party every time he opens his mouth.

The republicon-appointed Attorney General, Fitzgerald, has created an avoidable political firestorm, with his POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED speech and arrest of Gov Blago. Why?

Convicting Blago in the court of public opinion was dastardly.
It was not legal. It was political grandstanding.

Blago is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, and so is STILL the legal Govnor of Illinois.

Harry Reid is a loser from Nevada; and he cannot accept that Illinoisans have not only elected and African American Senator; Illinoisans have sent an African American to the White House.

Burris should be seated.
Burris is getting more resistance from the white US Senate club than he would from crashing another kkk party. lol

The republicon-appointed Attorney General, Fitzgerald, has created an avoidable political firestorm, with his POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED speech and arrest of Gov Blago. Why?

Convicting Blago in the court of public opinion was dastardly.
It was not legal. It was political grandstanding.

Blago is INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY, and so is STILL the legal Govnor of Illinois.

Harry Reid is a loser from Nevada; and he cannot accept that Illinoisans have not only elected and African American Senator; Illinoisans have sent an African American to the White House.

Burris should be seated.
Burris is getting more resistance from the white US Senate club than he would from crashing another kkk party. lol

Burris is being used as a pawn by Blago, he don't see it because he have no moral or Integrity ,if he did, he would have refused the appointment as the first congressman did. His only concern is about himself, one would think someone who has attained his age in life, would at least have some common judgment. When he arrive in DC, he should be shown the door with a swift kick in !!### along with Bobby Dumb #### Seal .

Democratic Leaders,

We don't need more drama. Please don't spoil the historic event of 12009. Let the distinguished gentleman from Illinois please be seated. A party divided against itself cannot stand. The world is still watching.

@Perusing-Through January 3rd, 2009 8:14 pm ET

THE PLOT THICKENS . . .

Recent report has it that U.S. Senate Chairman & Democrat Harry Reid was also caught on U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's wiretaps trying to pressure Gov. Rod Blagojevich 'NOT' to pick Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Congressman Danny Davis, and Illinois State Legislative Senate President Emil Jones (whom are all Black) to fill President-Elect Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
-------------------------------–
Do you have concrete proof of this, if so, this could really be explosive!!!!

yep he need to shut his mouth if its true what he said about blacks and if he was on those tape ... he can not stop mr burris anyway. the governer is still the gov you get it you do not want to be like the bushes make up the rules as you go when there are all ready rules...

Ah yes, lets grease the wheels further up the track.

UH BB- You should check and see how Obama "earned' his first election. Due to a "Illinois legal technicality", Obama's oppositions names were removed from the ballot, thus making him the only candidate for the position. After several years of dismal and unachieving service in the Illinois legislature, "godfather" of Illinois politics, Emil Jones, was quoted as saying "I'm going to make me a Senator". Empty suit Barry Obama was his choice. Gov. Blagovitch is now demonstrating the normal flow and rise of politicions in Illinois. Obama's handlers and the brains behind the fluff are now bringing this unabashed corruption to the national level.

Do not budge Reid!

Please let the blackman seat , unless you tell America what he did wrong, I though change has come to America. Comon people........

I am from Illinois and believe that the correct thing to do is wait for a special election. yes, it may take a little more time and money but consider the fact that the Republicans fangs are dripping with eagerness. They want this seat and with all the corruption going on with our nasty governor, this could be just what they need to win an unexpected seat.

go dems – let harry reid be the judge of the worthiness of the senate! it won't be long before their rating is near zero due to their lack of judgement, integrity, accomplishments and credibility! as a republican i can't tell you how much i am enjoying watching them get off to this brilliant start – does my heart good to see them falling apart in front of the whole world!!! they make bush look like a genius!!!!!!!

And another thing, the other congressional appointments are going virtually 100% to white Americans. Why aren't you alleging that those appointments are racial entitlements? What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

sorry folks, Burris is an egotistical lawyer who for years has worked hard to go forward in his own career. He did a terrible thing with Gonzalez letting him rot on death row when he knew the man was innocent. The only thing important to that man is and was his career. It didnt matter to him one way or the other who he trampled or destroyed to get there.

Is that what you want representing you in the Senate. His choices that he made on his way up the ladder were transparent to the people of Illinois and that is why he was never voted back in for anything. He wud have had difficulty getting voted in for Dog Catcher. HIs integrity is non-existant which makes him no better than Blago.

Welcome to the New Amerika. For all out there thinking of running for Senate seat in 2010, learn now from Mr. Burris experience and be ready to win two elections, one in your home state and another with Harry Reid because if he doesn't like you, you cannot be seated and you cannot be a senator, even if you win a clean election from your own state.

How can one "earn" an appointment like Obama who was elected? Some of these comments boggle the mind. Either the governor is legally entitled to appoint Burris, or he's not. Don't like him? Then pressure the Illinois legislature to remove him. Otherwise, say you don't like the situation and get out of the way.

If Burris has done something wrong to get the appointment (which no one has alleged) then he will either be indicted and can be removed, or the people of Illinois will remove him in the election in two years. You didn't even kick Stevens out after he had been CONVICTED, so get off your high horses and work on solving the problems we care about.

Burris should step down until Blagojevich is out of office an. He should not be seated. I don't care if he is black or white.

Blagojevich should not have a say in whom should replace Obama. He should be kicked out of office.

No replacement should be picked until the Blagojevich mess is cleared up.

Lately, I am sorry to say I am a democrat.

Tell Harry to shut his little pie hole and that you intend to be majority leader.

Let him EARN the spot just like Barack had to. NO ENTITLEMENTS BECAUSE OF RACE.

if its true that senator harry reid of nevada actually called blojevich to lobby against jesse jackson jr then he should be indicted together with blogojevich. politics i thought was clean now i see its all a scheme. if he could not punish joe liebermann why believe he has the mettle to stand up against Burris....

Reid is not a man of integrity so why bother talking to Him?

Well let's hope some diplomacy will ensue and some kind of compromise reached. Anything that will temper the racial undercurrents and restore peace to the Senate chamber.

I hope they can work something out with thte Lt. Governor of Illinois. To let Burris become a Senator. True Baglo is the only one with the actual power to appoint him, Once that *$^%$%^#^ is reomoved from office it will be the Lt. Gov to appoint. I see nothing wrong with Burris per se but he can't get there on a ticket written by Blago.

"...according to this source, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue."

More shady democrat shenanigans, trying to keep everything in the shadows so noone can learn the real truth of what is occurring (they think?). This does not sound like government in the sunshine to me, more like the democrats of old in the dimly lit, smokey back rooms. Change, folks???

I AM SO SICK OF THE MEDIA MAKING EVERY THING ABOUT NOTHING IT'S TOO MUCH JUST TELL THE NEWS.

As a democrat, I hope the Senate agrees to seat Burris. I know they said they wouldn't seat anyone the Governor selected, but this man is qualified and it's not like he can't be voted out if he doesn't do a good job by the constituency in his state.

The party is just giving Blago and his tag alongs some rope to roam around on legal air.

1 You must be stupid to think you can extort a party consisting of Reid,Nancy,Biden,Rahm,Hillary and Obama.

2 You must be totally out of your mind to put up a fight against this bundled group of experience and guts.

I agree with the party to make it clear they do not tolerate extortionists.

But right now the party needs to focus on maintaining the 'not yet harvested international goodwill' .

Unless Reid can prove that Burris gave the governor something to get appointed then he should be seated in the senate,
If there is proof of quid pro quo, then send him home, otherwise he was duly appointed by the governor. The governor has not been convicted of anything at this point and unless they have proof of Burris buying the job, shut up and seat him.

They should be meeting on getting Blago GONE!!! Why can't the party simply revoke his membership???

Watch your back Burris . These geeks are drunk with power!

THE PLOT THICKENS . . .

Recent report has it that U.S. Senate Chairman & Democrat Harry Reid was also caught on U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's wiretaps trying to pressure Gov. Rod Blagojevich 'NOT' to pick Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., Congressman Danny Davis, and Illinois State Legislative Senate President Emil Jones (whom are all Black) to fill President-Elect Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

This is interesting for two reasons:
[1.] – The only three Blagojevich picks Democratic Senator Harry Reid objected to were all Black, and keep in mind Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones happen to be Obama's political Godfather.
[2.] – Senator Harry Reid was initially a Hillary Clinton supporter and endorsed her during the Dem. Primaries, , , (no problem) , , , but was reluctantly slow to rally around the eventual Democratic nominee President-Elect Obama.

Harry Reid,the spineless one.He and Pelosi were afraid to go after Bush.He did know how to get his kids jobs on K street though.

Reid and Durbin spoke too soon, prodded by a republican appointed US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who is overreaching in this case. Why does he need more time? I think he is trying to secure a paycheck and continue to build a name for himself. It has been reviled that Reid has said he did not want any of the Blacks appointed because, he felt the seat would be lost at the election. My question to Reid is, is that the same way you felt about Obama? An innocent man, Burris is being abused because you spoke too soon and are too stubborn to allow the right thing to happen, to seat him in the senate. You are a senator from Nevada not Illinois. I understand Blagojevich is a tainted governor bit no one has produced any evidence that Burris is tainted. The fact that Obama and Durbin are in lock step on this is shameful.

Should be an interesting meeting. Perhaps Burris can bring a copy of the Constitution of the United States for Harry Reid to study, as what Reid has proposed is unconstitutional and has been overturned in the past by the Supreme Court.

Why is it that Nevada keeps putting this imbecile in the Senate?

I'm more than a little tired of hearing how Burris is so qualified for the US Senate. Clearly, the voters of Illinois don't think so–they rejected his candidacy 5 times when he ran variously for Mayor of Chicago, Governor of Illinois and the US Senate. He's a great example of the Peter Principle.

This is getting better and better. Now it seems that Reid also talked with Blago about who to appoint or not. All of you that supports this clan should hide your faces in shame.

Just think we will have at least 4 and probably 8 years of this. Of course this is the CHANGE we can believe it!! HA!!

I feel for Burris a bite. He has a great record apparently. Why would he knowingly put himself in this mess?

Bend over and take it Harry. Burris has the right to be there and can not be disqualified for what someone else may have done. Since I have heard no credible evidence against him. Suspicion of one person is hardly a reason to disqualify another individule with no connection to the possible crime.

No puppets for you.

The Democrats should seat Roland Burris (IL) as senator. We got bigger issues in this country to solve. DEMOCRATS don't mess up - get something done for the people in this country.

Here's hoping that reasonable heads will prevail... whatever that looks like.

What about "Acting Senator" for the time being?

Harry Reid needs to get tossed out of office in 2010

Granted, Blago and Burris have created a mess for them Dems. However, Mr Burris is still a legally appointed senator and if Reid and them are going to violate our constitution to block him, I have a big problem with that. Regardless of how they feel about this appointment, the rule of law should be followed

Let the guy be seated, the gov. hasn't been prosecuted or impeached, screw Reid and the rest ot the lib cronies!

good, maybe this will all slowly begin to get figured out and we can focus more on putting blagojevich in jail

So? If there is no Illinois certification, he's wasting his time.

Somebody please explain how Obama and Emanuel were involved in the election of the Rod, the governor. Did they really manage his campaing with the slogan of "he's the honest one"? Wow, I wonder what Rod knows about the two of them. Is that why he's pushing this thing?

Amazing how "Dirty" Harry is iunterfering with the Senate in Illinois. Harry, Nancy, Chris Dood and Schuler all should be investigated and thrown in jail for meddling witht he state rights to choose people to the Senate. Yep, keep Burris out and show your true colors. I hope the Supreme Court weighs in and Harry is thrown out. What a disgrace he is to the party and to all the voters in the United States. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Another Democrat, politician and lawyer... from Chicago??

as long as everything is legal abount the burris appointment.
mr reid should be real carefulabount how he handles this .
if reid screws this up for us democrats reid may find him self out of a job next election. there needs to be term limits and wage cut backs

reid you left a traitor like lieberman your buddy slinking around .
dont screw this up .

01/03/09

I fervently hope, given the circumstances of the Burris
appointment, when all is said and done – Mr. Burris finds he
cannot be elected "Dog Catcher" in any State in the Union!!!

norma from nevada

Bursis is a man that want's power he does not care at what cost. It does not mean that because he is black man he has to take the seat of Obama. He is being use by the governor as scape goat. This is coming from a black woman. He does not deserve the position he is one of the Governor corrupt people. I hope they never sit him in the senate.

The choice of this governor should not be seated. He was recorded describing his intention to sell the office to the highest bidder. Now he is using Burris as part of his strategy to avoid impeachment. Burris may well be a terrific choice, but he arrives at the Senate under a cloud.

If the legislators of Illinois would actually take some sort of action to resolve this ...

I suspect that many of them fear being sucked in to the Blagojevich scandal because he has surely cut a few deals with many of them.

This meetings intention will be to speak with Mr Burris and let him know that we the Dems have faith in him to fill this seat.The problem is that Blangojevichs wrong doings will not fly with our party. Every step of the way by our party will be out in the open and honest. PE Obama wants to oust the dishonest Gov first and then we will see what happens. Ronald Burris is a great public servant and is respected by both partys. KEEP YOUR CHIN UP MR. BURRIS

back room deals, Blago, Burris, Reid etc

From Blago selling the seat to our dems in congress caving in (what kick backs are going with this?)

God I hope Burris puts ego aside, and does the rational thing. When 57 Senators from your party don't want you. When the President doesn't want you. And the only support you get is from race obsessed politicians from the 70's and the Hannitys and Limbaughs of the world, you really have to step back and give it some thought.

When does the rational mind kick in? Hopefully Durbin and Reid can talk some sense into this guy. And hopefully Blago is impeached next week and this problem can go away and America can focus on real problems, and not idiots like Blago and Bobby "1971" Rush.

I still do not see how any appointee by Blago can be considering under the circumstances of his blatant misconduct. No matter who he chooses, the appointment of that person will be tainted. It is sad if Burris is a good man... I know nothing about him so I cannot speak to his preparedness or his honesty.

I simply know that if you have been lying down with pigs... you usually come up smelling like a hog. Sounds like Blago has behaved like a pig.... Democrat or Republican... it must be known that old time – good ole by politics must become a thing of the PAST! There is a big difference between being acquainted with someone as to literally be in his pocket... and that is what Blago wanted, and we will never be able to trust that that is NOT what he has!

Really-i think all these lawyers need to do some homework. their actions remind me of sorority/fraternity flops–this is our country we are representing-not a nite at the prom. grow-up. ps–Mr Burris should not suffer the consequence, and the gov still is the gov.

Really-i think all these lawyers need to do some homework. their actions remind me of sorority/fraternity flops–this is our country we are representing-not a nite at the prom. grow-up.

This sounds like progress. But, Burris' appointment is the "fruit of the poison tree" and he should not be seated.

The Governor's not been found guilty of anything, neither has Burris. How can the party that supposedly champions equal rights to all minorities, even queers, possibly deny the seat to a legal appointed black Senator? I'd like to see Rev Al and good ole Jesse explain that one away................................

At this point Burris couldn't get elected to the seat I wouldn't vote for something who to dumb to know he's being used.

Until the governor of Illinois is impeached or resigns, the appointment of a replacement senator is his responsibility. Innocent until proven guilty and all that. If YOU were arrested, would you not object to your boss firing you and your spouse leaving you before your innocence was disproved in court (and impeachment proceedings ARE a court). Our nation upholds indicates innocence is presumed until a court finds one guilty, and no cop, prosecutor or media circus should be able to take that away.

I would not be surprised if the governor of Illinois is found guilty of corruption, and/or impeached for this reason by his legislature. But I am troubled by how quickly the Senate wants to invalidate his responsibilities before these proceedings occur, because of popular media-encouraged sentiment.

Just seat him! If Blagojevich has broken the law, he will pay, but Burris's appointment is seemingly 100% lawful and he should not be punished for Blago's sins, nor should the citizens of Illinois.