CNN

The only thing I know about this guy is what has come to light since his appointment. He knew the Democratic Party and President elect Obama opposed anyone being appointed. He was nonetheless offered a chance at power and took it. He then played on race.

President elect Obama has done more to bring down the walls of racism than anyone since Dr. King. By his own acts at this time, regardless of what he may have done yesterday, Burris is no friend of integrity. Is this who Ill. really wants in the Senate?

Bobby WC

By law, Burris was legally appointed and should be seated regardless if the Dems do not like Blago. They should put sentiments aside and respect the law. Blago is still innocent until proven guilty. The Dems are acting on a political process which is different from a legal process.

Jesse White was out of order by not signing off on this....

There is no court ruling, constitutional clause, NOTHING being used as a basis for denying Burris the senate seat he legally and legitimately obtained.

The Dems are making up rules as they go, and applying them to only the people they want to apply them to....

Jesse White was out of order by not signing off on this....

There is no court ruling, constitutional clause, NOTHING being used as a basis for denying Burris the senate seat he legally and legitimately obtained.

If the IL court had done their job none of this drama would be happening. also, If Burris was really concerned about the people he never should have accepted the appointed by this Gov.

Mr Burris is the puppet in this play. he knew knew from the get go, what the members fthe senate said. He knew that Blago was tainted and anyone who accepted this appointent would be also, so the question to Mr Burris is, if you want to serve the people of " This Great State" why did you not stand with the people? The elected officials? The people all who know that Blago is dirty as the day is long? Or your ego and knowing that you have lost every race for major office that you ran, this would be the only way you get to Washington? This Mr Burris is not about the people as you claim, this is about your ego PERIOD! and that is the shame of it all!

Mr. Burris has not held any office for 14 years, because the voters of this state (IL) would not vote him in. It was not for a lack of trying. He was REJECTED by this state's voters, numerous times. What has he been doing for 14 years? He has become a lobbyist. He has donated much money to the govenor's campaign fund. His clients have also donated to the govenor's campaign fund. His clients have recieved lucrative state contracts handed out by the govenor of Illinois. That he has aligned himself with the govenor and accepted this appointment shows that he has only his own ambitions at heart, not the voters. This seat does not belong to the govenor, the democrats, or Mr. Burris. It belongs to the citizens of the state of Illinois. There is not racism in this rejection of his "claim" to the senate seat. There is no support for Mr. Burris, beyond a small enclave of people, that see personal benefit in this appointment and helping Mr. Burris press his claim. His insistance that he is the senator from Illinois is delusional. He does not represent me, and he hopefully never will. Let the voters in Illinois decide who should sit in that seat-NOW. We're about to vote on a replacement for Rahm's seat. Let's piggy back the senate seat onto that ballot. The money at this point, for this special election, is minimal compared to the damage this govenor and faux senator are doing to this good state.

Burris is being used as a scapegoat for things he has nothing to do with.

Is this the change in Washington that we need adults acting like 5 year olds?

Where are Burris real friends and family? They should advise him to calm down and work with this issue with class and stay away from the camera. THIS IS NOT GOOD P.R.!!!

Burris has been a good man in Illinois. He's kept his nose to the grind stone and his laundry clean. He may be ambitious but he's earned it.
He is not a big ego person he enjoys working for the people of Illinois and I think it was very rude and callous the way he has been treated. The beef is wih Blago not Burris. So don't kick Burris around.

Roland Burris is a stand up guy, the fact that Blago is "dirty" shouldn't reflect on Burris. Harry Reid had a problem with the other 2 candidates who were african american too. Burris is qualified, give him a chance to do the job!

Do not seat this man.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is out on bail. For trying to sell the Senate seat. I can not think of a much larger social crime to our society.

As such, accepting any appointee that he assigns to this very position is frankly, nuts and in complete disrespect of each of our votes. What soldiers die for.

It is ENTIRELY irrelevant "who" Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich decided to appoint. He is disqualified until he has had his turn in court.

DEMOCRACY AT WORK...what right does Reed have and his partners have to turn Mr Burris away a man with a clean record and appointed
by the Gov. who has not been charged only accused..Perhaps his crime is only that his did not appoint the Reed's choice...America you are loosing democracy if you allow the few to lead you to nowhere.
"free america....free america....!

Blagojevich, as much as the media does not want to believe, is innocent. He is innocent until he is proven guilty in the court of law not in the eyes of the media.

Burris should be seated, because it is against the law if he is not. He is qualified despite the fact he has been chosen by a media-declared "criminal".

And he is pleading, I think to some degree, out of principle. That the reason he is being rejected is not because HE is not qualified but because of Blagojevich and that is wrong in so many ways.

Let's not complicate this now.

Harry Reid was such an idiot to deny SENATOR BURRIS the ability to be sworn into office today!

What exactly is it that Reid has against this distinguished legally appointed Senator?

Swear him in already, and get the drama over with!

The man has as many credentials to fill the seat as any appointee, he is legal and entitled. This is what happens when politicians don't represent the people or let the people decide.

The Secretary of the Senate's denial at the door based upon incomplete authorization (Burris lacked the Illinois Secretary of States signature – denied because of his political position on Blago) smacks of elitism and lack of understanding of constitutional law. The Illinois governor is charged, not convicted. He still occupies the office account the elected representatives of the people of Illinois have not acted to remove him. He still maintains the legal right to appoint Obama's replacement and the Illinois Secretary of State is bound to sign Burris's authorization. So Burris gets in. I don't know if that is good or bad or what – but I felt uncomfortable as a citizen watching this man turned away and insulted. The sitting Senators were placed in that chamber by the American people, it makes me angry to think they regard it as their personal clubhouse.

Who cares???

If them DEMS look at it this way they might want to seat the man and move on because whatever happen now they can not blame it on BUSH and more. Te GOV of IL was doing his job so let him do it and move on. The DEMS and doing what the GOP want them to do and that is have problems among themselves so they and set back and say look at those silly NUTS... Get over it and seat the man and move on.

I think Burris should have the Senate seat, because was he was not
found guilty of any thing. I am a Democrat myself, but
I think the Democrats that won't except him are all a bunch of
Hypocrites. Jack & Ernestine McFarlane
Mesa, Arizona

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GARBAGE THAT IS GOING ON! THE PROPER THING FOR ROLAND BURRIS TO HAVE DONE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO SAY " I WILL BE JOINING THE U.S. SENATE AS SOON AS THE PATHWAY HAS BEEN CLEARED" THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MY OPINION A CLASSY YET FAVORABLE WAY TO HAVE HANDLED THIS SITUATION. SURE HOPE THIS ISN'T THE WAY THINGS ARE STILL GOING TO BE DONE IN THE SENATE.
GOD HELP US....

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS GARBAGE THAT IS GOING ON! THE PROPER THING FOR ROLAND BURRIS TO HAVE DONE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO SAY " I WILL BE JOINING THE U.S. SENATE AS SOON AS THE PATHWAY HAS BEEN CLEARED" THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MY OPINION A CLASSY YET FAVORABLE WAY TO HAVE HANDLED THIS SITUATION. SURE HOPEN THIS ISN'T THE WAY THINGS ARE STILL GOING TO BE DONE IN THE SENATE.
GOD HELP US....

Burris and blog should get a office in the mens room at the Metro stations. Both are Idiots.

Burris is just a crook that hasn't been caught on tape or otherwise. He lost five elections and clearly the people of Illionis don't want him. So why was he even considered?

stop this roller-coaster, seat him as soon as possible.

The Governor and Burriss, both elected officials in the State are denied their constitutional powers and rights by the FEDS, on the basis of unproven allegations by a Grandstanding Fitzpatrick – a federal prosecutor, who has denied the Governor the RIGHT TO MAKE FULL ANSWER AND DEFENCE to the outrageous charges.

Lawyer ED GENSON pointed out the unfairness of Fitzpatrick's actions. Why doesn't Fitzpatrick get on with it. Put up or shut up!

Meanwhile, the Governor and Burriss try to do their job! Kudos to the Governor and to Burriss. Shame on Fitpatrick.

It's a shame that all parties are being played by the Govenor of ILL!! The Democrats unfortunately should have did the right thing and seated the man. Because as it stands right now no charges have been filed against the govenor and the government of ILL didn't impeach the him, so where is the wrong? On the other hand Burris should have turned down the appointment and waited until charges or an impeachment were handed down and the new Govenor could have appointed him.

He's an idiot or a power hungry oaf at best. He should have declined the appointment rather than to try and weasel his way in under a cloud of doubt and turmoil. He has tainted his own integrity in spite of the crook who appointed him.

Its interesting to see two things happen on a regular basis.

First, the Burris appointment was done LEGALLY; irregardless of what the Governor of Illinois has done. However, most seem to be giving ETHICAL arguements regarding the matter; which in this case, doesn't matter. The Governor of Illinois has the right to make the appointment, and no one (especially the Federal Gov't) has the right to take that away.

Second, since the Franken v. Coleman race is going to cour on appeals, does that mean Al won't be allowed to sit either? Hmm.

Tee hee hee! As a conservative, I have to say that Blago is the gift that keeps on giving. Legally, he has only been accused of something, not convicted of it… so technically, his Senate appointment is fine and dandy and yes, legal.

But, tastefully, the guy is like a crap sandwich, and any appointment he makes is only going to taste like a condiment worthy of a crap sandwich.

Through no fault of his own, Blago's fully-legal appointment, Burris, has become an albatross around the necks of Congressional dems. And not just an albatross, but tinged with racism, too.

So Congressional Dems, you have a choice… uphold both the U.S. and Illinois Constitutions and look sleazy beyond belief in the process (see "Chicago politics"), or violate the Constitutions of both, and look racist instead. Like I said, Blago is the gift that keeps on giving. That said, I'm going to pop some popcorn and enjoy the show! Woo hoo!

Dems need to seat Burris ASAP and get this circus off the front pages. Burris was actually legally appointed to the Senate by the governor.

The governor is an idiot and probably a crook. However, he is the governor for the present time and he is empowered to act in this matter as he sees fit.

I don't like Burris because he tried to drag the race card into the whole deal (which shows he is stupid). Illinois should impeach Rod Blag, but until it does, he is right to carry out his legal responsibilities.

Harry Reid and the Dems are wrong to deny Illinois a Senate seat which has properly been filled. This is not going away if they continue to exclude him.

Politics as usuall . It is Harry Reids an Pelosi"s way or ,take a walk. On there next agendia is , change all the out standing laws , write them as they go. Need $$$$ we will get it for you , as long as you are a sworn Democrat. We have already witnessed them purchase the White House , doing there Best to puirchase a seat in Mnn.
Now we are also seeing appointees , making head lines of more corruption . Sooner , than later it will come about , all Barry's lies unfold. From $$$ , Acorn , Birth certificate , his ties to Terrorist . an all the lies, etc.

CHICAGO"S FINEST POLITICS ,

Blago. is playing Burris. Poor Mr. Burris is so full of himself he can't see the disgraceful situation he has put himself in. I applaud the Dems for standing firm for the principles that were outlined in the beginning, when it was announced that no appointment made by Blago. will be recognized.

Does any at CNN read this. If you do, remember how John King used to regular American voters to discuss the elections.

Instead of talking heads and politicians talking about Roland Burris, have John King interview regular Illinoisian voters in Centralia, Illinois (Burris' hometown) about what they think since I haven't heard one word about Illinoisians from Rockford to Cairo actually think...

The reason Burris is so adamant about taking the seat is because he knows that's the only way he'll get it. Look how many times he's tried for political office and been turned down by the voters.

Burris SHOULD NOT be seated. Both the Chicago Democrats and Republicans stated EARLY that anyone named by the Governor WOULD NOT be seated. Burris KNEW this from the jump start.

Both Democrats and Republicans stated that the Illinois Senate should decide on how to fill the vacated Illinois Senate seat. NOT Blagovegich who everyone knows is CORRUPT and DIRTY up to his chinny chin-chin!!!

Mr. Burris is nothing more than a GREEDY son-of-a gun. He's lost five elections, why is that? Why didn't the people of Chicago VOTE him into office? Hummmm? They must NOT have found him the best candidate for the seat. AND WHY didn't the Governor ever SUPPORT him back then when he was running for the Senate seat before??

Mr. Burris keeps crying the blues about how he didn't WANT to cause any commotions.....but DAH.... he continues to be in the MIDDLE OF THE SPOTLIGHT EVERY CHANCE HE GETS TO OPEN HIS MOUTH. This man is NOT fooling anyone. Mr. Burris is doing EVERYTHING in his power to cause as much CHAOS and HOVAC as possible.

Mr. Burris is set on being the "ring master".

Slider January 6th, 2009 1:27 pm ET

See, Dem-twits?..........It's about the Party. Not the People. The Party.........It's always been about the Party. Always will.

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

Which is why the Republicans have been roundly REJECTED!!!

Have a nice day .

This Blogo guy knows that he is going to do some time in the can, with the other crooks from that rediculious state.
He is just playing cat and mouse with the country because he can.
He got this Burris guy to go along with this joke of an appiontment or maybe Burris, paid good money for the seat.
The Illinois legislators need to get the ball rolling and Impeach this Govenor and put this country out of it's misery

Reid and co are arrogant, inept bumblers! Burris will be seated!

PEBO bought his way into Washington and Blago takes heat?

yes, Slider, because Republicans never ask their followers to put party first...give me a break. This is exactly why I registered as an Independent.

Ok, I'm a Republican, but this doesn't seem right.

First question: Who get's to legally seat a Senator from their state when that position is empty? Answer: The Governor

Second question: Who is LEGALLY the current Governor of Illinois?
Answer: Blagojevich

That's the end of discussion. Burris should be seated because it's all legal. I'm not a Blago fan, but has he been proven guilty yet? Has he admitted to guilt? NO on both questions, so let him do his job.

Good grief.

He is not a Senator , and he looks like a fool.
At least he had enough sense to not take the office space and try to distance himself from a policial crook, but he is letting his ambitions for the seat replace common sense.
I am sure he is a good man but by letting himself be used by a sleaze bag would raise questions to his suitibility to the seat.

He should stop the embarressment and go home.

Mr. Burris... get a life... and stop fooling yourself.

This is not a racial bais just you are too foolish to realise who you are hurting at the end of the day.

A mad man is not ashamed of his behaviour, but his relative are. We people are ashamed of you behaviour. Period.

I heard on the Tom Joyner morning show this morning how some Burris supporters are trying to rally support stating that not appointing Burris is racial. I am black, I am in disappointed in how some people think this is racism. Gov. Blago is a deceiver and this is what he wanted to cause a stir. Please people do not call Al Sharpton and march on Washington with this crap. We have real issues.

Burris is an IDIOT!

Go get em Burris. You have a right to be seated as the Senator from Illinois since you were appointed by the Governor. He has that right according to law.
Re: Blagojevich – I thought a person was Innocent until proven guilty. Unless I am mistaken I have not heard of any trial. Yes, there are tapes of his talking about deals for the Senate seat, but it was only talk, no money etc. was ever passed. I wonder if this case can go forward based on conversation.

The appointment is lawful. Who does Reid think he is? A Karl Rove?, A Bush.? A Cheney?
We expect Reid to stop playacting and be a Democratic leader or Resign.
Reid could have been a contender if he had tried to impeach Bush or stood up for anything in the last 8 years. He did not. Now he wants to be a star..

If those are my tax dollars paying for his office then I will file a complaint and eferyone else should file one also

Glad they didn't seat him, Burris didn't deserve it. Why even take the nomination from a corrupt gov. Good ppl don't try to skirt their way in, especially if by the will of someone who's just using them.

Let Burris have the Seat, its only for two years.!!! I amsick of all the games being played on the HILL....Blago is a joke, get on with things already...

Black, white, blue, polka dot, that was never the issue for most sane people. Blagojevich rears his ugly head again – what's the matter Blago, the media forgetting you, that's what you wanted wasn't it, or can't you bear Burris getting all the attention??

This madness has gone on long enough and Burris should be ashamed for lowering himself like this.

Blago outsmarted his critics and he did it within the law.

This is quicksand around the neck of Harry Reid. If he keeps flailling about to keep Burris out .... he's going down.

I'm beginning tio like Blagojevich, he is screwing with the democratic party better than any republican

Blagojevich is an ahole, seriously, putting someone in that position even though he's himself is under investigation, and then Burris taking that appointment. Sorry, but I don't a feel a bit for those two. It has nothing to do with Burris being a good man, it has everything to do with the corrupt way in which he was put there. If he was truly a decent man, he wouldn't of showed up to be sworn in. Blagojevich is just trying to do as much damage as he can before he's kicked to the curb.

Awwww Blago wants to play office....That's cute and a little mental.

Mr. Burris... get a life... and stop fooling yourself.

This is not a racial bais just you are too foolish to realise who you are hurting at the end of the day.

A mad man is not ashamed of his behaviour, but his relative are. Black people are ashamed of you behaviour. Period.

I have really tried to look at thing thing from all points of view. The gov shouldn't have appointed, Burris knowingly put himself out there, it is indeed a lawful appointment, and Burris himself is not the issue. He is a reputable man. He is also a Dem. We need him, why turn him away? The people seem to be OK with him. He should be seated, period. We have so many major challenges, let's not make this one too.

See, Dem-twits?

It's about the Party. Not the People. The Party.

It's always been about the Party. Always will.

I see no substantial difference between the way old people and children settle disputes.

What drama! You either accept the man, Burris, or you don't.

Blagojevish lost the right to appoint a senator when he attempted to sell the seat. This is why I think the whole thing is a sham.

I don't care if the seat was "purple", Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich should NOT have been able to appoint anyone for anything after charges were bought up on him! OMG, it doesn't take a genius to know this. Don't give me the "we have to wait and see what the court decides" crap! If Blagojevich was "legally" able to do this, fine (although I don't think he should have been). If not, let's stop making this into more of a circus as the days go on. I'm sick of it already! As a heads up for anyone who wants to keep throwing OBAMA under the bus for Blagojevich's behavior, DON'T.

I agree with the Senate for not seating Burris. The more Burris drags this on, it looks to me as though he cares more about getting this Senate seat than what's good for Illinois and the Democratic party. I'm tired of people who want Burris seated because he is black and how we need more black people in the Senate. Burris is clearly qualified to be a senator, but he should not have accepted the nomination from Blagojevich. Because Burris accepted the nomination and also continues to fight the Senate, I would not vote him even if he ran for office.

The governor is just using this innocent man (Burris) to take the spot light off himself. While he tries to buy is way out of the corruption charges and impeachment that he faces.

Mr. Burris if your credentials are in order and you are as good as you say-why don't you just let the people of Illinois decide? This is getting embarrassing and downright ignorant. Please go away quietly and let things work themselves out. There is no doubt you have the law on your side should this go to court but why take it there? Why alienate your own party? Please Mr. Burris you look hard up and desperate. End this now.

This ain't over!.........it's just beginning!....................the "rule of law" is on his side!

Harry Reid ... this is quicksand for you ... and it is up to your shoulders right about now.

What absolute arrogance the Senate bunch is showing in their act of isolation on Senator Burris. This man has certainly served his state very well with not a sign of scandal. Harry Ried needs to get off his high horse, take off his self placed crown and help this man get on with the business of representing his state. Between Reid and Palosi, I don't know which should get thrown out of their office first... Perhaps both at the same time just to see who bounces the furtherest..

Even though this article has nothing to do with Republicans, cue anti-Republican remark from "Proud American" in 3... 2... 1...

That's nice of the Chicago Democratic Machine,take care of your own.

He's embarrassing himself and the Democratic party but mostly, himself.

the people of IL should vote for whom they wish to represent them. NOT a potentially proven criminal such as the governor who has lost all credibility. the same people who voted Sen. Barack Obama into office should have the privilege and are due the right to elect their new representative in the US Senate. it doesn't become any simpler than that.

This just seems to be a crazy mess

Concerning Burris’ appointment to the US Senate, it is important to remember that they are rules that need to be followed unless the entire system is going to collapse.

1. Before Burris can be accepted into the US Senate, Burris must present his credentials to the Secretary of the Senate to be formally entered into the Senate rolls. Anyone who does not possess the appropriate credentials can not (can not, not should not) be accepted into the Senate. There is no leeway or ambiguity cf Senate Rule number 2.

2. The Senate credentials, in order to be complete, needs two signatures. One of the signatures is the Governor of the State. The other signature is the Secretary of State for that state. Again, in accordance to Senate Rule 2, there is no leeway or ambiguity in this.

3. Illinois Secretary of State White has declined to sign Burris’ credentials.

Given these three facts, Mr. Burris can not be accepted into the US Senate at this time. To do so would be to break the Senate Rules.

Notice that this has absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Burris’ race, but everything to do with following the rules. If the rules were broken, there would be an uproar of protests.

If anyone has a gripe about this, the person to look toward is Illinois Secretary of State White. The question to ask is: Does Secretary White have the authority not to sign the credentials? The decision is made by Secretary White. That is where our questions need to be directed.

For God sakes, swear the man in for crying out loud. He seems more honest than 90% of them there anyway and who cares whether Blago appointed him. The fact of the matter is that blago got caught and most of them dont. His main problem in life was he was born stupid.

This IDIOT Burris has made BLACK PEOPLE look like DIRT. I'm totally ashamed of his actions. What an IDIOT? He makes the world feel that black people came from monkies.

This guy is becoming a clown. He wants that job so badly that he's willing to belittle himself and go pleading on hands and knees.

Blago will wear an orange jumpsuit and cuffs in the Easter parade.Everybody wave at him now.

doesnt it make you wonder why the Crooked Gov from Ilinois is fighting for Burris to have this seat?? HMMMmmm....

When is this madness going to stop? Burris should have done like the first guy who was offered the job (who also was black) and declined to accept the tainted offer. Burris deserves whatever he gets, and so does Blago. I'm sick of all of the corruption, and I don't care who is the culprit, black or democrat, and I'm both.

greedy greedy I think... he is fighting for this like a big baby.. do it the right way with a "credible" nomination if your respectable enough to have the seat!

HA, HA Burris.

That is Crazy they need to let Burris we sworn in, after all if they wanted to get rid of the whole mess they should of impeached Blagjovich. Then none of the mess would be happening right now! Dont punish him for someone else mistake.

Good for the Dems... They have stood up to the plate and followed through. Burris is not a bad guy at all... although a bit ambitious, almost to the point of arrogance. The actions of Blago are not fit for "anyone" to be a part of his political decisions. The denial is not about race but a morality issue and until Blago is totaly cleared of wrongdoing or removed from office no one is viewed as a suitable replacement.

If Burris were really smart he would state that the reason why he acceopted was because the people oof Illinois are not currently represented and is only working in the "intrim" until either an election or new appointment is made, he would be viewed as doingt the peoples work instead of fulfilling a self serving senate seat dream

Did Burris have to pay extra for the office space?

This gentlemen should not have associated himself with the Governor who has manipulated him in this situation. Everyone is talking about this instead of the other corruption allegations against the Governor. That is what he wanted. Mr. Burris could have said "thanks but no thanks" and if the Governor had any class he would step aside temporarily or resign and then the new Governor could have appointed him with no scandal. The problem with Mr. Burris is that he is friends with the Governor, he and his wife have donated a lot to his campaigns and therefore many will wonder if there was anything discussed before his appointment. He should have known better than to get caught up in this. It is taking away from the focus on the economy, foreign affairs, etc. Maybe the Governor will be found not guilty legally (doubt it) but even if he does he is guilty of immoral behaviour and very bad judgement. Everyone with common sense should distance themselves from him. Mr. Burris now seems desperate to get this seat at any cost even though he is hurting his party and his reputation.

Burris was turned away as expected. It is a good thing that it was the democratic majority that turned him away, if had been the republicans there would have been rioting by African-Americans in the streets of every major city. It's fuuny how the double standard on racism works in this country. Could you imagine the headline that read, "Republicans turn away the only African-American senator." The truth is the dems think that he can't be re-elected in 2010 so they do not want to seat him. They are afraid of losing the seat later, it has nothing to do with Blago. If they thought that he would win re-election they would seat him regardless of the Blago situation.

Poor Roland....they are treating him like a step child.

Life is a three ring circus and this is going to be a long performance. The political arena is a joke. The world is falling apart and we have to care if they seat this man. All the players in this game need to check their ego's at the door and get on with resolving the REAL issues in Washington. Too bad this is one of them. All political figures leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Is Blago trying to buy more favors? Or wants his hand in the till? Don't accept anything from Blagojevich !!