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I smell a rat!!!!!

Blago didnt know thay could listen to his cell phone even if it is shut off.

Blago played Burris's 'Senator' fantasy to his own good.. he will successfully deflect the attention to the Senate drama on Monday.. while that may last for 2 weeks, Blago is not off the hook and will be nailed.. probably his broker wife too who seems a Jackle and Hyde type (much worse than Blag..)

Burris should NOT be seated at all, and should automatically be disqualified from any future consideration. That man is a shameful opportunist and we don't need someone like that in the US Senate. His history is full of mediocre performances, so I say he is not even fully qualified to be senator as some folks here seem to be believe. Besides, he 71 years old, folks. We can do much better than this!

Good for him. He is the legitimate selection. The governor made the pick and he is innocent until proven guilty.

Burris was legally appointed. But what does that matter with Reid and those Dem jerks in the Senate? Reid actually thinks he can control state laws and appointments. I hope you Black democrats are watching? See, the democrats don't love you as much as you thought... If this had been a White "star" like Caroline Kennedy, there would not be any resistance by the dem senators.

I love circus music.

Whether Burris is legally appointed is not the issue, it's about the integrity of the democrat party tainted by Blago. STOP HIM NOW.

good luck sir...and let the hate b over

me me me me me me me...it's all about me. Why is it so difficult to do what is best for the country? Politicians no longer care about us. I think it is time to get rid of them all.

How stupid would someone have to be to accept an appointment to that seat? Thank you, Mr. Burris, you've just shown me.

Lights, camera, aaaaction!!!

"Proud American" must have stolen his byline from Michelle Obama . Is he/she also FINALLY proud of his/her country?

Burris should not have accepted the post. like stated; he is qualified for the post and I'm sure the Governor Blagojevich called him prior to announcing his appointment.
Burris could have told the Governor Blagojevich to wait and let the water clear.
Since he is "qualify", he will still get the nomination regardless

Blago has NOT been convicted of anything...yet, and is still a sitting govenor as well. He, as a sitting govenor has the right to appoint who he wants. Until Blagojevich has been convicted of a crime he is presumed to be innocent. Also he has not been impeached either.

I personally find him to be just another smarmy Chicago politician, and would like to see him facing charges as well he wll!!!

Now is the time for clean, honest politics everywhere...Even IL

And where is the Great Leader, B Obama during all this turmoil and the worst scandal of the election? Enjoying his photo-ops and calling the press to watch his family vacation in the beautiful Hawaii?!

Blago and everyone who decides to tag along may have a little legal air to survive ,but putting up a fight was the biggest mistake.

You may steal a little spotlight but you have been politically death sentenced by the party.That will have consequences going beyond your grandchildren.

Blago ,Burris and everyone else tagging along ...be ware ... you are done for, you know it you politicians ... the party was extremely soft on Lieberman (but we all know Lieberman is done for ).

The party wil not change their mind because they need to send out a signal out to other political extortionists that are still roaming about.

I have to question Burris' honor. With the situation as it stands, Blogojevich having been arrested under numerous ethical violations, why would an honorable candidate for the Senate accept an appointment from Blogojevich? Burris says it is because the people of Illinios need full representation. But Burris, having been appointed by Blogojevich, will always be under a cloud of suspicion and will never be able to give the people of Illinois the untainted representation they deserve. Is this appointment really about representing the people of illinois, or is it about Mr. Burris' aspirations?

who would want to be picked by the crook Blagojevich anyway!!!!
I would think it would reflect badly on you if you were picked by this
scumbag crook
chicago needs to dump Blago and soon before he makes anymore sly moves

What is leag is not necessarily morally right. In this case, Blagojevich may have the legal right as a governor to make the appointment, but it doesn't make the appointment right. Burries is a fool and has allowed himself to be used. What a 71-year-old fool who is more concerend with power than doing what is right.

Blago has a lot in common with Monika Lewinsky.

The Illinois legislature empowers the Governor to make the appointment. From the 17th Ammendment:

"When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of each State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct."

The Illinois legislature did not act to block the Governor's appointment, however they could still do so after the fact if they consider the Governor unfit for making this selection. If they remain silent then in effect the Illinois legislature has appointed Burris. The power to seat or unseat a candidate does not reside in the Senate. This is as intended so that other States cannot interfere with a Senate appointment.

That being said, I disagree with the notion that Illinois needed tan African American to fill the seat left by Obama. Since when did race become a qualification to be a States representative in the Senate? This was an overall terrible appointment for Illinois.

To all of you who are backing Mr. Burris' going to Washington, shame on you, Hipocrites and opportunists. With people like you alive, justice will never find a reason to be and corruption will prevail. Before Blagojevich appointed Burris, we all were angry at him and we agreed with the decision that was taken to empeach him and reject any choice he would endorse for the senate seat. He broke the trust of the people, he is a crook, a disloyal and dishonest politician, an idiot, his action is vile. The best way to discourage this idiot and force him to resign was that everybody would, after he got caught trying to sell the seat, refuse his offer. But as long as he finds another selfish idiot to accept his offer, he finds the strength and more audacity to fight and defend his ugliness. How can Burris be still called a good person, when he is giving leg to a crook to remain in power unless he is claiming what he has paid for. Let him and Blago go to hell.

Stay hame Burris – Can't you see Blago is playing you for a fool...

And let the Democrat corruption finally come to light. Does it make anyone else nervous that our new President is either an Illinois crooked politician, or he is so stupid as to be oblivious to the crooks, racists, and believers in terrorism that made him the celebrity he is today? Also new military poll shows that current military personal have 60% UNFAVORABLE opinion of PE Obama. I doubt if CNN will report this as news as they will be more interested in trashing a 17 year old unwed mother, rather than report any negative truth about Obama.

Go Roland Go!!!!! Blago is a heck of a political chess player. He's played Burris like a violin and now Burris will be a pawn in this drama. The Dems have gotten themselves in quite a mess. Hahaha!

Ummm...isn't the fact that there are no AAs in the Senate a reflection on ALL 50 states and not just IL. I'm just sayin'! If qualified candidates ran in all of the state and were not elected...then that would make a horrible statement about our country. If no one ran (for example in my state, FL), then the race card is a moot point. Burris should NOT be seated (at this time) – and it has nothing to do with his race but, instead, with his Gov.

I am afraid the seemingly brilliant AG most have paid to play and now his money is in play.

I am very disappointed in the behaviors of the Gov. and Burris. The Gov. because is selfish and doesn't care anything about his country or state or otherwise he would step down quietly whether he is found guilty or not he is tainted and he is causing a distraction from very real and serious issues that his state as well as the rest of the country are facing. At 71 years old Burris should know better than to let a lunatic used him as a puppet to make a point and the ultimate crime is playing the race card it's like the boy who cried wolf there are very real racial crimes happening daily but this is clearly not one of them. As a 45 year old educated Black American I am appalled that someone of his age would want power so much that they pull a low blow like this.

Dems follow the law? Actually more like guidelines, just like they will do what is in the best interests of the party in MN and NY.

Me first, Party second, Country third, citizens (who elected those clowns)............last.

Burris – This is a BUCKET LIST!

Like is said "SCUMBAGS"

If Burris had any integrity as he claim to have he would have done the right thing and refuse the appointment as the Congressman first offered the position did. Burris has no moral and exibited a desperation and about me mentality. If he show up, not only should he be showed the door, someone should kick him **##!!!! in addition to Bobby(Dumb/Ex-Panther) Seal.

I just hate they way that this whole mess will be a dark shadow at the beginning of a historical change in our country's leadership. With President Elect Obama standing ready in the wings to bring our country back to the center and restore our national pride and dignity in the world, it is ashame that the Illinois Governor has tainted this exciting moment in US history.

Mr. Burris is a good person, but I think he should have turned it down.

As far as Gov. Rod Blagojevich he has some serious problems that need to be dealt with in a psych wade!

Since only the Republicans want Burris to be seated, Burris should change his party affiliation to Republican. Republicans want him to be seated. They can have him.

Don't you just love them liberal dems! Burris can't join their "hunta " without an anointing of the powers that be ! As if their resumes and ascension to power was lily white!

If Burris had any integrity or honor whatsoever he would have refused the appointment or at the least accepted the role and refuse to seat himself. He just appears to be the highest bidder on Blago's Deal or No Deal.

Nice fix the Dems got themselves into. Burris has been legally appointed. The Democratic controlled IL Legislature could have done something before the appointment, but lacked the political courage to do so. Now that Burris has played the race card, Reid either has to cave (showing what a coward he is) or stick to his guns and not seat Burris. Which in turn alienates AA voters. However, one would think the Swenate would need to vote before refusing to seat someone. Will all those big brave Democratic Senators really vote to not seat the person who would be the only AA Senator? What drama.

This IS going to get nasty, ugly, messy – pick one..................

Seemingly unstable Blago had played his piece well and his pawn Burris has cried 'mate'. Your move Senate Dems!!

Blago is insanely 'brilliant'. He has accomplished moving the media attention from his soon to be indictment(?) and has also possibly started a racial war. All with one stroke.

The man is deliciously evil and most folks can't wait to see how everything plays out....WOW!!

Seat Burris then un-seat Blago. Or as an alternative have the Lt. Gov take over and seat Burris anyway.

Our political system has officially become a joke. Our country needs to get back to the basic federalist foundations of our constitution. The repeal of the 17th Amendment will put the selecting of Senators back into the hands of the state legislatures under Article I Section 3. The next step will be to repeal the 16th Amendment. This solely undermined Article I Section 8 where the Constitution explicitly states taxes must be uniform. These two amendments removed much of the state powers and placed them directly into the hands of the federal government. I would suggest everyone read Article I Section 8 of the Constitution and make their determinations. The powers of Congress are out of control and we the people need to reel in the Federal government. I would also make The Federalist Papers mandatory reading before being allowed to post on political issues.

i think the Dem.party is wrong on this one. Mr.Burris hasn't done anything wrong, in fact his record is cieaner than some of them already in the sen. before they try an stop him.they better take a long hard look at themself.what goes around, comes around.so sweep around your own front door. before you sweep around some one elses.

With the way the law is written, he has to be seated. Doesnt make it right......

Mr Burris should not have accepted the seat, knowing criminal charges are being made on Blag.

Sen. Reid is an imbecile who needs to be replaced. Sadly, our leadership in both parties is pitiful. They bicker like 3rd graders and few of them seem to give a rat's @$$ about the Constitution.

Blagojevich has not been convicted and has every right to appoint a replacement for Obama. Unless, Burris is completely unqualified, he should be seated and our government needs to get to work on repairing the damage of the last 8 years!

Stop playing who's the king of the hill or who has the biggest.....um, ego. Get to work. Our country needs leaders who understand priorities. The American people need to stop encouraging this petty garbage and cooperate with both parties to restore our economy, International respect, and competence in our government agencies.

Let's all put on our adult panties and get to work!

Denocrats controlling the Senate are WRONG January 3rd, 2009 10:33 am ET
Harry Reid is about to teach the rest of the country and the world the worst lesson imaginable, and one that will tarnish him and his colleagues forever. This country is run on the Rule of Law. The US Senate is one of the lawmaking bodies on this country, and one that is supposed to be the highest example of following the rule of law.
The only person authorized, and indeed, required by law to fill the vacant IL Senate seat is Governor Blagojevich. Whatever future legal troubles the Governor may face, he is today the legally elected
This country's leaders, and this Democratic Senate cannot ignore the law. To do so will be criminal............You are SOOOOOO RIGHT !!!

So what if he was legally appointed. Harry Reid won't let little things like the Constitution stand in his way!

This is a bad sign folks. This is what we just elected into power for the next few years.

Can Burris stop Mayor Bloomberg and the MTA from increasing fares on subways ?

No 3rd term for Bloomberg!

Burris is a good man.

Dave, Illinois January 3rd, 2009 10:58 am ET

I can't wait to see this battle unfold. Blago picked the man that will tie the Washington Dems in knots the most. Those Chicago Dems are catching up with the New York Dems when it comes to corruption and distraction tactics. The chickens are coming home to roost!

YEAH, LETS GET THOSE DARN DEMOCRATS! NO MORE OF THE DEMOCRAT'S CORRUPTION AND DISTRACTION TACTICS. – I UNDERSTAND GEORGE AND DICK ARE GIVING COURSES IN MORAL GOVERNEMNT AT PROPOGANDA UNIVERSITY STARTING JAN 21.

To Democrats Controlling the Senate...

There are worse issues that is going to RIP this country apart, the economy. I suggest you PRAY for the country and seek to provide solutions to problems. Let's change the processes, if not, dont bother trying to convict good men and women.

A duly appointed public official going to perform his job functions?

ABSURD! The Democrats (that bother to show up) will have his head for this!

Meanwhile Obama made the 'newsworthy' announcement that he intends to "provide tax breaks for the American workers." The same old broad-based, can't-possibly-offend-anyone, rhetoric without the SLIGHTEST HINT of HOW he intends to do this while DRASTICALLY INCREASING government spending at the same time. More empty promises, you would think someone would hand him the memo saying "ok, you have won now. Now you must actually start making decisions. Now you must actually create through policy."

Clearly the glorified junior senator does not get it.

I for one am looking forward to 4 years of complete inaction and reckless government spending without accountability. There are fortunes to be made in depressions – read your history books if you want to survive folks.

THE GOVENOR DID THE RIGHT THING....HE FOLLOWED THE U. S. CONSTITUTION WITH HIS APPOINTMENT OF BURRIS...

NOW WE WILL SEE JUST HOW MUCH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION. THEY WILL TRY TO BLOCK BURRIS FROM TAKING THE SEAT. AND YOU WILL HAVE SOME LOUD MOUTHS FILIBUSTERING TO KEEP HIM OUT OF OFFICE.

WE WILL SEE HOW THE MEDIATORS THAT BACKED AND DID THE SLANTED REPORTING OF OBAMA, REPORT ON THIS NEWS ITEM. THEY WILL RUN THE OTHER WAY,,,,OBAMA WAS NOT VETTED FOR THIS JOB. HE SHOULD NOT BE THE PRESIDENT!!!!!!

THOSE REPORTERS ARE --JOHN KING ,, BILL SCHNEIDER ,, AND ROLAND MARTIN...

THEY LIKE TO REPORT ON THINGS THEY CAN HAVE SOME CONTROL IN AND NOT REPROT THE WHOLE FACTS.

I hope Blago doesnt fly his own plane,He may end up like his old friend Mike Connell,who ran out of gas for some unknown reason the day before he was to tesify.But then again hes not a republican,even though he voted for Reagon in 80.

It is strange and I do not know if anyone else has ever considered this but it appears our nation is being torn apart internally at a time when we need the most honest and able elected and or appointed lawmakers in our House of Representatives and Senate. We have a Senator appointed by a Governor under a cloud of controversy, a Senate election whose votes cannot be counted while the two running for that office fight each other over votes and in court, a Congress that is fighting within it's ranks over how much to put into a spending plan in an effort to stimulate the economy while jobs are being lost and people on the verge of starving and being put out of their homes and people that want the President Elect of the United States not to be sworn in because he is not an American citizen or because his oath of office includes the words "IN GOD WE TRUST". Well people we better start trusting in somebody because while we fight among ourselves the world is sitting back and watching us like vultures waiting for the last breath of life leaves our country.

People all this bickering must stop or our nation will stop. I am so fed up with all the infighting that I am ready to move into a cave in the hills and hunt and fish for my food and survival. No one seems to be concerned about OUR survival. No one seems to remember that "TOGETHER WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL".

This illegal appointment is unnaceptable and will not stand whether they play the race card or not. If they think they can bully themselves into the senate they better think again. Barack Obama won the presidency fair and square. Both Bogdonovich and Burris knew that this appointment would not be accepted and now for Burris to be playing the race card and think he is entitled to the seat with this arrogance, is unacceptable. Burris was one of the first to condemn this appoointment, but when he found out he was the nominee, he changed his tune. More crooks in a new administration.... forget it!!

The good people of Illinois should have taken care of the Gov when they had a chance, now the rest of the nation will be drug thru this mess. What a mess this is....

Burris needs to be sent home. Something very odd about this guy. He seems far too focused on the fact that he was first African-American to hold a number of positions in Illinois, and that alone qualifies him for this job. The fact that he wasn't smart enough to reject Blagojevich's appointment is proof enough that his judgment is suspect. The irony is that Obama campaigned on the idea of a colorless presidency where race was irrelevant. Burris, on the other hand, seems to think that race is the primary reason he should be seated just because there are no black senators. A little out of step.

Talk about between a rock and a hard place!!!!

Senator Reid apparently never heard the phrase "Never say never".

This could get nasty.

He claims to have impeccable moral standards and integrity. If that was true, he wouldn't have accepted this appointment. Given the allegations against the IL Governor, the only way to seat him would be after an intensive investigation of his every action, word and whereabouts from the very beginning of when Blago was alleged to have discussions of selling the seat. This means accounting for every second of Burris' time from that point forward.

And he should be the next Senator from IL, unless the democrats in Congress show their true colors and deny him his rightful seat …

He was warned that any appointee that Blago made would not be accepted.

I guess it still rings true -- "There's no fool like an old fool".

I can't wait to see this battle unfold. Blago picked the man that will tie the Washington Dems in knots the most. Those Chicago Dems are catching up with the New York Dems when it comes to corruption and distraction tactics. The chickens are coming home to roost!

what is wrong with Burris, Democrats? apparently, you want only one AA in big Government! It's not as though everything the dems have done the past 2 years is above-board! I see nothing wrong with a qualified AA getting a seat which the Governor has LEGALLY appointed him to. And, just for the record, Blago is not the worst scandal in politics–many more over the years have been worse and kept on. For some reason, Blago has ticked the dems off and we do not know why!?

I truly hope sparks won't be flying! Joking aside, Burris' was a legal appointment and the Senate Dems may decide not to block him, but they have been mouthing off so much that they may have no other choice but ot block as they may need to 'save face'.

I still say however, that Burris' blind ambition for higher office clouded his judgement in accepting this appointment and that is quite unfortunate. Hopefully this doesn't turn into a racial circus!!

I'm no fan of the Dems, but this is a tough one to call. Sick the IRS on Burris and see if he made any major transfers, say to the Cayman Islands. If he comes out clean, seat him for the next two years, let him run for reelection and in 2010 a Republican will win that seat...unless Oprah decides to run against him. No one can beat Oprah. But there is going to be a lot of scrutiny over that seat, and maybe Illinois will make the right choice. Change in 2010!

Senator Reid should seat the legally and duly appointed IL Senator. To do otherwise is an illegal act according to IL state law and federal law. It would seem that the obnoxous and arrogant Reid and his cohorts in crime do not feel a need to follow the law -- This is a dangerous and troubling turn for our country, and one that will reverberate around the world. The world aready distrusts the United States – we are especially hated by the Muslim countries and the entire Mideast – in part becasue they believe we are unfair in our dealings with Muslim countries and do not follow the rule of INternational Law. What a message Obama and his party will be sending when the World comes to know that we cannot even follow our own rule of law. Shame on the Democrats in the Senate. Big shame on Senator reid. And a disappointing shame on President-elect Obama

Nice try Blago. . . You're using Burris (and he's letting you) so that the attention is off of you.

Scrumbags!

This is a matter between the Democratic Party and their errant governor. The party should be directing these things via the governors office, if he is a rogue, then proceed with impeachment but doing nothing is not an option. The Dems as usual snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory by failing to maintain the dignity and integrity of their party members and offices. The Republicans are no different but the Dems finally won for a change!!! I suspect if this is not handled soon, Rahm Emanuel's seat will be the same and Illinois may be lost for years!!!

Harry Reid is about to teach the rest of the country and the world the worst lesson imaginable, and one that will tarnish him and his colleagues forever. This country is run on the Rule of Law. The US Senate is one of the lawmaking bodies on this country, and one that is supposed to be the highest example of following the rule of law.

The only person authorized, and indeed, required by law to fill the vacant IL Senate seat is Governor Blagojevich. Whatever future legal troubles the Governor may face, he is today the legally elected Governor and legally authorized to Appoint Mr Burris. The Governor has not been conviceted of any crime. Mr. Burris meets all the requirements to be seated and he has not committed any crimes. He is entitled to be seated, and he ought to be seated, Anything to the contrary is against the LAW.

Now, if Mr Reid fails to seat him, then Mr Burris will take his case to the Supreme Court, And at the Supreme Court, it will be decided that Senator Reid and the Democratically controlled Senate have broken the law by failing to seat the duly appointed IL Senator. What a terrible example and a terrible way for President – elect Obama to begin his term - with his own Party in the Senate BREAKING THE LAW - AND WITH PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA SUPPORTING THIS ILLEGAL ACTION.

This country's leaders, and this Democratic Senate cannot ignore the law. To do so will be criminal.

How can he expect any credibility at all? And to then go and play the race card....Despicable!

We do not need another Senator, regardless of their party, who is more interested in power then working for the people. Also, I am tired of any US elected official going to DC to try and get all they can for their State that is what has gotten us in the mess we are in now. Do for the country first before any one state.

Good for him !

As a Democrat I believe he should be seated. He was LEGALLY appointed and we should follow the rules.

Illinois State Legislature could have prevented his appointment by requesting a Special Election and they didn't so now they have to live with the fruits of their actions.

Mr. Burris is a good person and has made history in Illinois before, so we are going to back him all the way.