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Sen. Reid (Nv.) is from the great stae of Nevada run by the casino's(tourism, largest contributor to our GDP),and the housing industry, enough ,said? His judgement to leave Sen. Leiberman (Independent/Ct.) right-hand man for McCain's Republican Administration as chair of the "Homeland Security Committee"is shameful,period! Sen. Leiberman VP nominee as Presidential running mate with Sen.(Tn) Al Gore during the "2000" election in my opinion was a "Benidict Arnold",just my humble thoughts talking out-loud. Lastly,when Sen.Reid wraps his hands around (Leiberman: you've done a bad thing?) him like the "Prodigal Son",and yet refuses to seat a black senator from Illinois, is very interesting to say the least,...

Burris is crazy to pursue this with the cloud of corruption hanging over it. Then he & his buddies tried to place the race card with this comments about lynching. That's when he totally turned me off 100%. It bugs me that black leaders are rallying around him saying the Senate needs to seat him because he's black. Hello people!! We need to seat the BEST person– color should NOT be a consideration.

He appears to be an egotistical opportunist. I think the Senate needs to refuse to seat him because of the corruption allegations surrounding the seat appointment.

But we saw how tough Reid DIDN'T hang in there on Lieberman, so who knows what will happen.

The Illinoise Senate Nomination of Mr. Burris IS LEGAL AND SHOULD BE HONORED.

Mr. Burris is an outstanding person and should not be trashed by the likes of Reid and his political manipulation team.

Reid has already been caught on tape saying that he did not want ANY of the BLACK candidates as Senator.......NOW he is saying he doesn't want Mr.Burris either, so what does that tell us?

Whites ONLY in the Senate this year?

Reid is just looking for a reciept, after all, Burris was apparently the highest bidder.

I think Mr. Reids comments about President Bush are totally wrong and should be kept to himself!!!

previous article by Sen.Reid comments filled. putting here.Sen.Reid accusing Pres Bush as being the worst ever pres!He is one to talk.Congress has a much worse rating than Pres Bush and Sen Reid is the head man there.G, figure.

Mr. Reid and the Dem leadership are really bad. First they supported Mr.Obama, now they go against a constitutional right. Stupid, stupid, stupid...

Who really cares about Burris? Just vote him out once Obama's original term is done.

George W. Bush & his cabinet have a very long list of failures including: the collapsing economy & failures to regulate it as well as banks & corporations correctly and lavishly spend on pork barrel & earmarks, hurricane Katrina preparation & reaction failures, an unjust war in Iraq & a botched war in Afghanistan and its failures to capture or kill Bin Laden & other Al Qaeda leaders, failing to provide troops with adequate body armor & vehicle plating armor, betraying CIA agent Valerie Plame.

More of his failures include the torture and executions of detainees in Guantanamo Bay & Abu Ghraib that only embolden & enlarge terrorist groups. One of their most famous failures was to ignore and dismiss intelligence prior to 9/11 about terrorist attacks. They preferred to cash in on the aftermath and justify their invasion of Afghanistan than to prevent the attack that caused more than 3,000 deaths.

Bush & his cabinet sold out to oil, weapon, construction & health care corporations. A new failure they are working on is stripping people of their rights to sue corporations for malpractice. Another of their failures is the lack of inspection and renovation by the Republican government with the infrastructure of the country like in the bridge collapse in Minnesota, the breaking of water pipes in Maryland and the natural disaster of ashes washing up on a river in Tennessee.

Time will NOT forgive or pardon Bush no matter what happens. Time never forgave Richard Nixon or Warren G. Harding which are two other awful & corrupt ex – Republican presidents.

The WORST Presidents in US history are George W. Bush, Richard Nixon & Warren G. Harding...all Republicans of course!

Congress has not had high approval ratings in the last 2 years because of Republicans & Democrats. BUT, Americans seem to like Democratic Senators because they almost elected 60 of them in the last election. Americans also seem to like Democratic House Representatives because they elected more than 250 of them in the last election.

Will someone please inform Reid, "Enough Drama"

Let the games begin... Burris hasn't done anything wrong. Blago did his job as governor. Harry Reid is making fools of the Democratic party. So much for a "new start"... it's the same old thing from Harry Reid. Time to go, Harry...

perhpas mr reid shoudl look himself in the mirror. he surely has a lot of gull talking about our current sitting president this way. mr reid is not one to be talking.

Why do people keep saying Burris is a qualified candidate? He's been a mediocre player from day one, and he is shamefully pushing his nomination regardless of the black cloud under which it was made. Even Obama doesn't want him. Kick Burris out!

You know Roland Martin said right they should have a special election that would solve this mess. Now the Dems are between a rock and a hard spot.

Burris appears to be perfectly qualified to be Senator. It's a shame his nomination is tainted. Previously was he a possible candidate or did this just come about after the scandal. He seems to be a respected person.

Sadly, Blagojevich is still the governor and as such, he legally can appoint someone. Burris is right that the appointment is legit, and I don't think anyone is arguing this. However, Burris realizes the nature of the nomination and I believe that in all good conscience he should not have accepted. He clearly feels he has earned and deserves this appointment and that his time has come and this has clouded his judgment about making the best ethical decision and doing what is in the best interest of the people. And the people of Illinois do deserve representation as soon as possible but they also deserve a senator whose appointment does not come under a shroud of suspicion and dishonesty.

Reid is corrupt and has carried a lower rating than President Bush since taking leadership of the enate in 2006. He should be hung for treason. Please remember "The war is lost, the surge has failed." Treasonous Bastard!

ALL HE KNOWS , I8 GOT TO HAVE MY WAY , TO SATISFY PELOSI AN THE REST OF THE HOLLYWOOD STAFF.

ALREADY SEEING ANOTHER MESS WITH RICHARDSON . AN IT WILL CONTINUE TO FESTER . IT WILL NEVER GO AWAY ON BARRY, SOONER THAN LATER , THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT ABOUT ALL HIS LIES, 1ST IT WILL BE ABOUT HIS BIRTHCERTIFICATE , NEXT , ALL THAT ILLEGAL FOREIGN MONEY . THEN MORE ABOUT ACORN .

YES, THE DC HAS A BIG MESS ON HAND. IT IS A SAD DAY FOR ALL OF AMERICA..

Well, Obama's presidency will be off to a smeared start. His senate seat had a price tag and is soiled, his pick for Secretary of Commerce had a price tag and now he's out and you know things come in three's – so let's wait and see what the 3rd thing will be before January 20th.

What's it say about Burris if he accepts the nomination from a corrupt Governor? One must question his judgement if not his moral ethics.

And you can believe old Harry knows corrupt when he sees it, been corrupt all his life!
But from the looks of the news the last few days corruption is just the Democratic way.

The constitution need to be amended to address this sort of appointments from happening in the future.

It's mind boggling that this guy is in a position of prominence within government...disregard the law, disregard logic and he has the nerve to rate/rank presidents!!! Time for a REAL change folks...

Burris shouldn't have accepted the nomination from he corrupt governor for the sake of IL and he integrity of political process of this country.

Mr. Reid your the leader of the Senate and all Americans will accept whatever decision you make. We love the fact that your one of the few in Washington with a brain.

Farrell in Houston, "integrity of the democratic party?" Who are you trying to kid? 1/2 your party still thinks Bill Clinton was a man of integrity. Get a dictionary.

Wow- Henry Reid and the Democrats get a stiff spine when it comes to opposing a qualified candidate who has been legally appointed to fill a vacant seat in the Senate? Hey Harry, where was your spine for the last 8 YEARS?!!!!

Reid's contiuing insistence that senators are legally empowered to determine who will sit in the Senate (not just to determine whether they meet constitutional requirements, but the power to reject them for any number of other reasons as well) is bad law, bad government, and bad politics. It's directly contrary to the Supreme Court ruling in the Powell case; it creates a nightmare situation in which the Senate could become a self-selecting, self-perpetuating oligarchy; and it's insulting voters, who are quite able to understand that accepting Blagojevich's legally chosen nominee to the Senate is not the same thing as participating in Blagojevich's crimes. The drive to block Burris is a huge mistake and a huge waste of time. Reid and his team need to "negotiate" their way out of this, and move on with the important business of the country.

Don't forget the whole cause of this problem is Blagojevich. As an Illinois resident, I strongly believe Blagojevich should not be allowed to make any important decisions or appointments while he is under investigation...remember, he is out on bail! Burris should have been smart enough to realize he is being used as a diversionary tactic. Unfortunately, Mr. Burris is allowing his strong desire to be senator (prestige, good salary, great pension) to affect his decision making.
If Illiinois has only one Senator for a month or two, so be it! It is better than having a tainted one!

I do not like Harry Reid...haven't for a long time. But, I do support his decision not to seat anybody appointed by Blagojevich. And let's all forget the race issue because it is not pertinent in this matter.

Does Reid really think that the Senate can refuse to seat a qualified person? He will lose in court and he should know that. He shopuld spend more time thinking about how to get legislation through the Senate with a bunch of republican fundamentalists on the other side.

Unfortunately for Burris, his nomination is tainted. He should man-up and stand up for what is right by voluntarily going on inactive status to block Blagojavich from any more political maneuvering.

I would think if Burris was to help corral this corrupt governor, he would stand a good chance of being picked by Blagojavich's successor.

If it goes to election, his morals and actions in blocking Balgojavich would probably go a long way to helping him win.

But to try to capitalize on Blago's tainted appointment will only leave Burris tainted as well. It's an empty and hollow victory. If it's even a victory.

Don't forget what Uncle Harry Reid said about the public tours through the capital."You can smell the tourists when they come through"! Nice!! What a moron!

Reid, does it give you satisfaction to act like a "tough guy". Whether Burris is right or wrong, you might consider changing your image of SCROOGE to a civilized and profession human being!

Reid's statement regarding the appointment of Burris is a perfect example of judging a person by the company they keep. It goes a long way to support the belief that many politicians serve as choke points to actual inspired leadership among their peers. Illinois is dying and all some politicians can think of is how best to display the typical negitive thinking process that has helped push Ilinois to its knees.

Late president Nixon did worst for the country, but all the judges he appointed were seated.

President Clinton was impeached but all his appointees sat...

Why should America use different standards when it comes to the governor of Illinois?

Reid, get lost! You want to choose and pick who should or should not be a senator from Illinois. It is none of your business. The governor of Illinois is innocent until proven guilty, until that time, he has the constitutional right in Illinois to appoint a senator to replace Barack Obama. You may no like it, but this is the way it is. You will not be able to change that. This man will be seated. It is just a matter of time...

To Erik in Real Pennsylvania:

Your analogy is wrong. The analogy is if you were getting a divorce would you want to have the judge that is banging your wife be the same one presiding over your divorce? Of course not.

Blago can still function as the governor if he recuses himself from this one issue since it is related to the charges against him (regardless if he is innocent or not). It is the perception of impropriety that you must be concerned for the benefit of the people of Illinois. Obviously Blago is pretty self-centered and really does not give a heep about the people of Illlinois. Burris' decision to accept makes me wonder if his integrity is actual or just an illusion. But, at the end of the day, the people of Illinois are going to have to decide the quality and character of their representatives not us.

We need to clean up the process to stop good men from turning bad. They are following the invisible laws of the land.

Hey Harry.. Go away. Nobody is listening to you.
Proud American (I am not proud of him because he is a radical liberal) and Texas Teacher (I think she has no job) are on your side, nobody else.

Roland Burris may have integrity, according to Blagojevich. But to bestow the title of integrity upon someone, the bestower must also have integrity. Governor Blagojevich does not have integrity. By taking the appointment, Mr. Burris is just as tainted as the Governor. Mr. Burris cannot be trusted because of choice to accept the appointment.

Burris, because of the connection to Blago should not be seated. The Senate seat should be determined by a special election or by the Lt. Gov. Blago is trying very hard to divert attention to Burris and the Dems. Furthermore, I think Rush was totally out of line when he requested that an African American fill the seat. I recall one election where an African American was running against a White opponent and Rush voted for the White candidate. I am African American and I call them like I see them. Right vs Wrong, not Black vs White.

Democrats messing up again.Remember Florida-Michigan.
Reid needs back off not ,much of a leader ,not seating Burris
because of his dislike for Blagojevich.

Maybe he picked him on purpose to prove a point. Everyone thinks he is corrupt so he picks the absolute best candidate who is not tainted in anyway to make those who want to bring him down look even worse. Think about it , you are about to be charged but innocent until proven guilty so why not pick someone so qualified that it makes them look like the bad guys before he has his day in court, he made the best choice to prove a point even if he is guilty it was a perfect play to look good before the @#%$ hits the fan now the dems look like idiots to the rest of america and look like they can't get it right in their own party..... come on, refuse to let such a qualified individual in the building? thats pathetic and childish get it together dems the world is watching, quit trying to make it so hard to root for you!

More than his legacy in the U.S., Bush has changed the image of what America and being an American means to the rest of the world. Never have so many citizens of other countries looked down on us, seeing us a perpetrator of war, greed and self indulgence. These people will not sympathize with terrorists against us. Bush has let us down.

Send Burris back to his buddy Blago with a note attached to his collar:
"I'm tainted."

maybe reid should also step down.

So I see Tubby had to withdraw. Isn't that a shame. What goes around comes around. I'm sure Bill Clinton is having a good laugh, I certainly hope so. I know I am!

Turns out Richardson preferred Barack and his sleazy Illinois friends to Hillary Clinton. And how right he was to "stick with his own kind." Definitely not Hillary's type at all.

There will be overwhelming silence from the Clinton camp, but personally, I'm hoping Carville says something so I can have another good laugh. He did hint that we were not through with scandals among the Democratic "leadership."

Now I wish someone would go after Howard Dean. I guess I'll have to be satisfied with the Blagojevich nonsense for the moment. Sooner or later, the ways in which Barack himself got dirty hands will come out, too.

I'm patient. I can wait.

Heh, heh, heh. Blago owns the chessboard!

Another great Reid moment. Reid says that the Senate determines who sits in the Senate. Hmm, I always though the voters did that and governors between elections. The Senate has no authority on this unless the Senator has commited a crime or has shown gross incompetance. Reid and Pelosi – Dumb and Dumber.

Reid is basically saying "I do not CARE what the LAW is, I do not believe that a person is innocent until PROVEN guilty, I believe I am ABOVE THE LAW, and I will run Congress HOW I SEE FIT."

What a loon. America needs to impeach this guy.

Blagojevich is using Burris. Anyone can see that.

I agree with Reid, Burris should not be appointed to the senate the circumstances surrounding his selection are questionable. Sure Burris states that he has no involvement in Blagojevich's past actions but I find him to be to accepting of this nomination, how do we know he didn't pay for it. I honestly believe that the laws need to be changed so thaht if any politician is suspected of any wrongdoings thier powers of office need to be strickened until they are proved innocent or guilty. Blagojevich is a crook , that's obvious and selecting Burris was just another way for him to throw salt in the wound of his accussers, poor Burris he wants the position so badly thath he appears desperate and it seems that because of this reason he is willing to do anything to keep it, that is obvious by his many interviews and his arrogance.

It blows my mind that Burris didn't just refuse to accept the nomination until the governor's situation sorts itself out. Regardless of what happens with Blagojevich's alleged crimes, if Burris does take the seat his name will be tainted as long as he is a senator.

is this america or do polticians just make up the rules as they like
i thinl reid has been in office to long when his likes an dislikes rule his judgement!!!!! why is it up to reid to determmen if burris unfit for the senate. something smells fishy

In order to make it right either impeach Blagojevich and let our new governor Quinn make the appointment or hold an election. Burris can be choosen by Quinn or run for elction. I wouldn't want to be connected to Blagojevich if i was him.

The seat is lost.

I guess after the lack of success of the democraticaly controlled senate along with the Bush administration would make Reid the worst senate leader ever, look in the mirror Harry

Good to see that Reid might be in the mood to negotiate. If he doesn't find a way this could lead to a messy undertaking.

"… Democrats and Republicans determine who is going to sit in the Senate,” the Senate's leading Democrat said.

That's where's Reid's "logic" is tainted.

Reid is a pompus corrupt politician. He will be voted out soon.

show us something, clean up the Bush mess, the dirty politics

People can be biased about Reid all they want, but he did make his point clear in the interview and pointed out why they can't seat Burris the way it is now.

The solution should be based on the Constitution, not based on compromises. The word 'compromise' brings warm and fuzzy feelings inside everyone but it's not always the right thing to do.

Every time I see an image of Harry Reid I want to Vomit, and

to quote Harry Reid,

"I am who I am, and I have to call it the way I see it"

I don't have the intestinal fortitude to tolerate maggots.

Reid is right and he is standing up for the integrity of the democrat party, it's not about the integrity of Burris and Burris should be intelligent enough to not accept Blago's appointment.

Too bad for Burris, but I agree with Harry Reid. Blago has tainted the nomination. Get Blago out of the picture and begin again. If Burris is included in the nominees, fine! Then he can have the opportunity to prove himself, without the taint of the Blago reputation. I would not want to have that hanging over my head, if I were Burris. It shows a bit of desperation that he is pushing this the way he is. *shrug* what else can I say?

Until the governor of Illinois is impeached or resigns, the appointment of a replacement senator is his responsibility. 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 presumed innocence 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.

Mr. Burris should be seated in the Senate. If the Senate then chooses to expel him, as is their Constitutional right, they can whip up a 2/3 vote and do so.

Reid and his big mouth yet again. Why isn't he asked what accomplishments he has done as majority leader.

Mr reid? not your pick ? UH OH sorry not your choice to change the rules to your liking. Go home and get a job as a cocktail waiter

Don't let him sit down Mr. Reid.

There is more at hand than just the legality of the governor's ability to appoint. Part of the mess we are in (economy, mortgage, banking, investments, etc.) is because it was all "legal". Politics doesn't exist in a vacuum. He has been arrested, is out on bail this week he will be indicted. I'm glad some politicians step up and say, "We have a serious problem with this guy, his higher bidder mentality, his illegal activities, especially with this open senate seat." Blagojevich doesn't care about anyone but himself. But other politicians do care. As a voter I care. It's a greater issue.

Remenber innocent untill found guilty. Burris should be seated because (1) he was not involved (2) Blagojevich is the governor (3) Illinois has not stripped him of his power to appoint a senator.

Unlike most of those who post comments on this issue Reid sees thru the red herrings and straw men that Blago has forced into the public dialogue to distract away from his crimes.

Don't be a Blogo chump 0 Don't seat Burris until someone other than Blago nominates him...

That's it Harry just ignore the law, what ever happened in that ethics investigation of your land deals and lobbyist relatives? Kinda got swept under the carpet in 2006 didn't it.

Blago is a sitting governor and has not been removed from office and has the right to appoint a senator. You do not have the right to refuse to seat him unless there is a question about him, not Blago. That is the law, old trial lawer. Read it.

As a dedicated PE Obama supporter, I hope and pray that the majority of Dems will not let Reid make a mockery of our party. It would be much easier to let this appointment stand, since it is legal, than to fight it. Let Mr. Burris serve out the remaining term, and then he can run for election on his own merits. The bathwater (Blago...) is dirty – not the baby (Burris), as far as I know. Please don't let the rules be changed because of innate biases. To make this a "Showdown at the DC coral, " will dampen the historic events surrounding our PE Obama, and cause a greater divide within the party.

These people do not care about us. They are all about themselves. We should be as much, or more, concerned about every other politician we vote for as much as we are about the President.

Burris is a patsy. Anyone with any sense of integrity or dignity would stay far, far away from the endorsement of the disgraced Blagojevich. No matter how decent he seemed before the choice to accept such a tainted sponsorship, Burris has now squandered his capital. It's gone now, and he will always be seen as Blagojevich's patsy.

Any humiliation he experiences in DC is of his own making. He asked for this, and if he goes to DC it will be because he is begging for it.

What a shame, what a shame.