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 for this special election, is minimal compared to the damage this govenor and faux senator are doing to this good state.

Mr. Cleaver:Right

Mr. Rush/Burris: Wrong

cherrystrawberry,

That wasn't a rant, that was common sense.

He's right. This racial allegation b.s., is just that….B.S.!! Go figure…throw race into anything when they don't get their way. No wonder black people get a bad rap. Part of it they bring on themselves.

You know its the truth, so dont' even argue with me. This is ridiculous! No one cares if he's black, pink, green, or yellow…..its all about the cloud that hangs over him b/c of the Illinois Gov. PERIOD. Nothing more, nothing less.

Get a life folks.

A senate seat is just that. That position does not know color.
It should know the law.
Know the constitution.

@liberal white female:

I realize how important it is for you and yours to feel all moral and righteous inside, but making an explicitly racist post is not the way to do it.

TCM and cherrystrawberry (black herself) were commenting on all-too-common feelings of entitlement among blacks. Your clinically insane worldview denies the very existence of such, hence your on-tap outrage.

You also made four spelling/grammatical errors yourself, babe. Not too good.

As a 19 year old African-American male in the very district Rep. Cleaver serves I am offended by his comments. He should be ashamed of his failure to identify the Senate's failure to sear Mr. Burris as just what it is…as Rep. Bobby Rush described it, it is "the last bastion of plantation politics."

Burris is an idiot, Congress is an idiot and our Gov is an idiot and so on. If it were up to us, we wouldv'e whacked them a long time ago…literally. We don't like distractions…I'm sure the GOP can tell you and I ain't playing for once…

Amen reverend !

On Blogo: Still the Gov. and can do what a gov. can do…
On Burris: Politically hungry and always wanted the job but was out of politics for too long. He knows it is easier to keep as incumbent

I've read through many of the comments on these blogs and one of the biggest issues I see with these comments is prejudice. Too many of these comments appear to be aimed towards "ALL DEMOCRATS" or "ALL BLACK" people. I don't think that "ALL REPUBLICANS" are idiots but reading through some of these posts I sure have to keep reminding myself that you're individuals too and are bound to have a few knuckleheads among you as well.

News flash — the Black individuals I've spoken to don't believe the Blog/Burris issue has anything to do with racism. I think there are always going to be racist INDIVIDUALS in any group but anyone who makes a comment that states an entire race or political affilitiation thinks as a monolithic block are showing their own ignorance.

CherryStrawberry: Do not apologize for ranting. You said what needed to be said and what people need to hear. Thank you.

I agree you can not color a senate seat. May the best man win. and pray it is not a republican…

I agree with Rep. Cleaver. I resent the fact that Rep Rush is injecting race into this issue and as a black person I take it as an insult. I think we have made tremendous strides to get to this point and it is so absurd to hear race being thrown into it by Rep Burris, some members of the media and some political pandits.

It's funny that not having many AA's in the U.S. Senate wasn't a problem until PE Obama was elected..what about all the other states? Since "everyone" is so worried about there not being an African American in the Senate…why don't they work on grooming electable candidates to run in 2010?

I am AA, born & raised, and live in Chicago. This is the craziest, most embarrasing situation I have ever seen. Unfortunately, the Democrat leaders have no one to blame but themselves. I'm sorry that Mr. Burris feels that he is owed something. I personally think he should have turned down the offer…but based on all the interviews he's doing, I have a feeling that he is having the time of his life.

I agree with Rep. Cleaver, however I think that is it still important for us to have representation of EVERYONE in the Senate. Granted that, as far as I know, there are currently no Asians, there are 3 (soon to be 2) Latinos and, after all this Burris appointment mess settles, there should be 1 African-American. Regardless of how tainted Blagojevich may be, that should not reflect on his appointee. Roland Burris is a well-respected man who has served the people of his state well as the State Comptroller and Attorney General for many years, and the Illinois Sec. of State is just stalling the appointment unconstitutionally by refusing to sign the Certificate of Appointment. I feel that Mr. Burris would do a great job in the Senate serving the people of Illinois for the next 2 years. Yes, I think Blagojevich should resign, but Burris's appointment to the U.S. Senate should not be dependent on that, because Blago is legally innocent until proven guilty. On another note, a second black U.S. senator was almost elected in 2006, from Tennessee, but lost the election by only 6 points (47% of the vote). Rep. Harold Ford, Jr., of Memphis, was a black Democrat and would have been the first ever black Senator from the South since the era of Reconstruction. Now THAT would have been a shock. A so-called "black seat" in Illinois should be far less surprising, having already been occupied by Carol Moseley Braun and Barack Obama. Oh, and you people who keep saying the "Chicago Senate" are annoying the crap out of me. It is either the Illinois State Senate or the U.S. Senate, and I don't know to which you are referring, b/c Chicago is a city, not a state. There is much more to Illinois than just Chicago; Roland Burris grew up in southern Illinois, for example.

The appointment is legal. They have not charged BOJ with anything and have not impeached him. That is their fault for not doing so, but how can you when a person just said somthing that he did not act upon!!!!

the seat suppose to go to Jesse Jackson JR . Fitzgerald cut the investigation off prematurly to protect him and Big Daddy

Applause X1000000 for Representative Cleaver.

When Bobby Rush said that the content of a man's character and the extent of his abilities don't matter, but skin color is what matters, he spit on the entire civil rights movement. He cheapened the sacrifice of everyone from the Tuskegee Airmen to MLK and beyond. If Roland Burris is eventually seated, it should be because he is Roland Burris, not because he is Token Black Guy.

Some good stuff in here in these posts (Proud American didn't call anyone an idiot). Burris is the Senator from Illinois, the failure of the Illinois Secy of State to sign the certification is illegal.

The more correct thing to do would be to somehow force an election and let the people decide, but this is not going to happen, So seat Burris and let fill the seat for 2 years when an election can be held.

BLACK….. BLACK…. BLACK…

Geeez, I think we ALL get the Mr. Burris is BLACK….

So the HELL what? African Americans know that there are qualified blacks and they are non-qualified blacks. This is NOT about Mr. Burris being black. It's about Mr. Burris NOT setting the record straight by stating he would ONLY accept the Senate seat with approval by the Chicago Senate AND the Secretary of State. There are checks and balances in the system to prevent a CORRUPT AND DIRTY Governor from snow-balling the system. Politics is a dirty DOG world, so what else is new?

Mr. Burris came to Washington to CAUSE ALL THE CHAOS he can. That was his INTENT from the start, he knew before he left Chicago that he would NOT be seated and yet he ignored the warning. So why the hell is everyone so shocked and surprised?

Mr. Burris was NEVER elected to a Senate Seat, WHY NOT? He ran Five times and LOST. There should be a reason why the people of Chicago did NOT elect him or find him to be the best candidate.

If Mr. Burris was Honorable he would have stayed in Chicago and worked towards a amicable solution with the Senate and the Secretary of State. Bottom line, but instead he chose to play "shot gun" and play circus ring leader by coming to Washington. He's acting like he's the VICTIM when he's really the ring leader!!!

Mr. Burris, we are NOT stupid. We know the deal. ENOUGH ALREADY.

Burris legally and legitimately obtained a senate seat. Now the Illinois Secretary of State is refusing to cooperate. How does Burris come out the bad guy?

Why is there still a 'Black Caucus'? Wouldn't many be offended if someone formed a White Caucus? For that matter why is there an NAACP and not an NAAWP? Having a 'black seat' is just a logical extension of the entitlement philosophy engendered by programs like Affirmative Action. Hey businesses have had to meet 'quotas' for years regardless of qualifications, why not Congress? It couldn't possibly be good to have the best qualified people regardless of race could it? I'm certainly not an Obama supporter; but at least he kept the race card pretty much buried in the deck. However, contrary to cherrystrawberry's indignation at the concept, many blacks did vote for Obama due to race. Most would have probably voted for any Democrat, but more blacks voted than would have voted in previous elections just to vote for Obama, and many black conservatives admitted to being torn over voting for Obama or not. Why isn't that racism too? You note that many people call anti-Obama bloggers racist as well. Well, new flash, the vast majority of those who voted McCain did so because he's the one who was actually QUALIFIED. It is heartening to see many self-identified AA's calling for Burris to step aside, or for Reid to refuse to seat him.

Finally, common sense. There are no black seats or white seats. Who cares what is best for the Democratic Party or Republican Party? There should be no "quota" for Latinos in the presidential Cabinet.

Shouldn't it be what is best for the United States?

Please America. Vote out any politician in office over 12 years, Make them find a real job. Give President Obama your support and chance to make our nation great again. He's trying his best for us and mostly succeeding in spite of the opposition.

Bobby Rush's comments and position crying 'racism' are really so ridiculous as to make one wonder what his real motivation is. Burris, by bucking everyone and going against all rational logic, in seeking and accepting the nomination simply asked for the controversy and literally perpetuated the problems. It would seem likely that Burris felt that he had no chance of obtaining the senate position otherwise and chose to then accept it with all of the problems involved. That alone should make him unacceptable!

I am not happy that Mr. Buris ignored the pending charges against the governor and accepted that appointment. As African American, that seat should not be view as a black seat. A qualified candidate should be selected to fill that seat.

The governor intentionally picked his selection due to his own motives for racial sentiment. Mr Buris also decided that being black, in addition that there are no other blacks in the Senate will entitle him easily to that seat.

I am very disappointed that Mr. Buris was at the Senate today. I am glad he was denied entrance.

That is what you say, but let this guy be a white senator and all hell will break loose- from Rev. Al and Jesse, and all the race pimps. I'm still waiting to hear the apology to the innocent LaCrosse team.

TCM

Let me see if I have this correct. You were born in to a white trash family that eschewed education, think family renunions are where you meat girls, and all wear pointy hats at times. Both kinds of course, the dunce and the kkk.

Are you a follower of the NZ rugby team or is your grammer just bad… probably the latter.

Mr. Cleaver, is always interjecting something against Black candidates as he did against Obama. Could this be because he so resented his brother Eldridge? Whether anyone wants to admit it or not it is a shame that the Senate lacks so little diversity. Candidates have run but have not been able to garner the statewide support. If Mr. Cleaver feels what he believes is correct I look forward to him running and losing the senate seat in Missouri. Make a bold move get out of his comfortable congressional seat.

Welcome to the Obama Show:

You're going to get nodes on your vocal cords from all that shouting. I expected "OH THE HUMANITY!!! DOGS AND CATS LIVING TOGETHER!!!" at the end of your rant.

Only 14 more days my friend until President Barack Hussein Obama is our President. Say it with me: Barack Hussein Obama.

what's the point of having laws if you can break them just because you don't like whats going on, burris must be seated, if not then we will set america back to the way it was in the 60s, grow up and inforce your on laws.

This black man agrees with Rep. Cleaver.

Let's just hope Jesse and Al stay away from this…please! No, really, PLEASE!

Burris' appointment is tainted by his association with the governor. It is not a race issue, and Bobby Rush should be censured for trying to make it so with his ill-conceived comments.

I hope the Senate sticks by its guns by not seating Burris. It's not a legal issue, as some have suggested, requiring Blagojevich to "have his day in court." It's a political issue to be decided by the Constitutionally proper authority–the United States Senate, as the judge of the qualifications of its own members. I hope the Senate does not "remedy" this situation by doing something illegal such as seatng Burris but making him promise not to run for seat in 2010.

this is all a distraction—the real deal was made between Obama and Blago—-as long a Blago put a black in the Senate, Obama will pardon Blago when the time comes—

People of Illinois have been duped again—-

Just watch—Burris WILL be seated—

The only way to shed the burden of racism is to stop setting the races apart by talking like Jessie Jackson… or is the black community secretly disappointed that they've suddenly taken another step towards equality and a step away from being oh-so-different?

wow…maybe we should replace all members with all blacks…what would they whine about then?

cherrystrawberry – I like your post….qualified first, color coincidental…..

Of course this is a black seat. Bobby Rush said so. The Congressional Black Caucus has said so. So just stop pretending that it is not. Do we really want the US Senate to have NO African-American members? It does not matter whether Burris is qualified or paid Blagojevich for the seat. We MUST have this seat remain an African-American seat.

Thank you Bobby Rush for playing Blagojevich's game and making this about race rather than about corruption. Bravo! Thankfully we have African American leaders like Barack Obama and Emanuel Cleaver to remind us that not everything is about race and that not all African American leaders are so myopic.

Burris should treated no different from Sarah Palin who thought she could win my dividing America.

Burris should be made to regret the day he tried to insuniate that he might be denied the senate because he is African American.

What did be win he been denied. African American should wake up and tell fools like this their Place. White American don't be afriad to say the truth no one has the right to call you racist.

From a disgiusted African American

trust me if Mr. Burris' appointment is dismissed it will NOT outrage african americans. many of us are not too impressed with how he's handled this matter. watching some of his interviews leaves me in complete embarassment and clearly emphasizes his lack of qualification. And i'm convinced that blagoveich made this appointment with ill-intentions to take some of the focus from him for a while.

Overall, black or white, wrong is wrong. I feel that the Chicago voters should demand and expect more from their state representatives.

The Governor is innocent until proven guilty. He appointed Senator Burris, so be it. Harry Reid needs to cool his self-rightous wheels, and I'm a dem. Harry, stop making a spectacle of yourself, leave that to the republicans, they do a much better job than you do, If the people don't like Burris, they can vote him out.

Mike from Syracuse: For your information, Obama has issued an statement and maybe you should read the entire statement: "Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat," Obama said in a statement. "I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy."

Amen!! He should not get the seat or be denied the seat due to skin color. It is nice to hear Rep. Cleaver's remarks. Now impeach Blago and let the Lt. Gov. choose a good person.

Thank you Senator Cleaver. I think you finally get it!!!

This seat should go to the most qualified regardless of color. Dem. please don't start acting like Idiot republicans.

the people of the state elected Blago. let him appoint the replacement performing the duties expected of him and be done with him. he hasnt been convicted… Let Burris be seated, he's a good replacement regardless of who's appointed him. Why should he suffer for another's trangressions? It would have looked unprofessional of him not to show up for the position he was legally appointed to. And for goodness' sake.. please stop calling Obama a person of a minority race…add up the numbers. There are no more minorities…this country is a melting pot of races…if there IS a minority anymore, it's a full-fledged caucasian! He's not an African-American…he's not from Africa! we dont call Mexicans that have moved here Mexican-American, we dont call the English that have moved here English-American – and they're from those respective countries. This country's media is so focused on 'race' that they've lost the beauty of the world's countries. I was born in the United States of America and am an AMERICAN – regardless of my skin color.

Mr. Burris knows EXACTLY what he's doing. He's causing as much chaos as he possibly can. He KNEW from the start anyone named by the Governor would NOT be seated. Mr. Burris knew this fact, but chose to ignore it as usual. He's so GREEDY and wants the Senate seat he could not get elected to 5 times! He ran 5 times and LOST!!! What does that say?

Mr. Burris continues to play the "victim" here but everyone knows he's the center of the circus and continues to do everything to cause MORE media chaos every time he opens his mouth.

If Mr. Burris was truly and Honorable man he would have stayed in Chicago and waited until the Federal charges of the Governor were proven to be either false or TRUE and then make his claim to fame!!! If Governor Blagovegich is found GUILTY, Mr. Burris will NOT HAVE ANY LEGAL STANDING WHAT SO EVER and WILL BE EXPELLED from the Senate Seat faster than he can say "I'm a Jr. Senator"!!!

OR he should have held a press conference and say he would accept the nomination ONLY if the Secretary of State and the people of Chicago approve of his appointment by a 'special Senate election session". Bottom line.

He should have focused on getting the support of the Chicago Senate and the Secretary of State rather than flying to Washington demanding he be seated…and then creating a HUGE MEDIA CIRCUS, while playing the "victim" card.

NO ONE is buying Mr. Burris BS about not wanting to cause any confrontation, etc. He's the master of the circus!!!

Innocent until proven guilty when you're Richardson you even get to go take you old job back but if you go against BOA like Blago then you are absolutely guilty no question about it don't even need an indictment. So the media has shown me the difference between Richardson and Blago is that one is "obviously innocent" while the other is "obviously guilty". This sets one of the worst precedents in our history. One that makes the courtroom the court of public opinion which doesn't require any evidence. Do not miss what is happening here this is a coup d'etat in Illinois.

I agree with Rep Cleaver's well thought out words. He is right on the mark!

I don't know, but there is something in it that might involve Mr. Obama, and they aren't saying anything about it. Maybe a deal was made back then about Mr. Burris taking Mr. Obama's senate seat. Maybe race is involved. Obama as a black man been elected as president, Mr. Burris as another black man to be appointed senator by Gov. Blago. And Gov. Blago which had made some kind of a deal with some of Obama's transition team, or maybe Mr. Obama himself. If I was Mr. Obama I'll probably should tell them to hold on to my seat for a little longer, I might need it back. I think that seat need to be display in a gallery with the attention is getting. Now I know why Gov. Blago was trying to sell it.

To Mike…
Obama came out early on and stated very clearly that Blago should step aside and that no one will be accepted as an appointee of Blago.

Where have you been?

Remember that BO defeated black GOPer Alan Keyes for said Senate seat.

Unofficially designating certain public offices for "minorities" will, in all likelihood, become an accepted part of US politics through the acquiescence of both parties.

Too late…it already is. I would bet my house and everything I own that the junior senator from IL, whomever she or he ultimately turns out to be( I believe the Burris pick will stick ) , will be African American. Period.

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!

Cleaver is one of the most brilliant politicians in Congress, and Representative Rush would do well to listen to his advice. Burris might be the best person for the job, but that should be decided once the embattled Governor steps down…

These African American Politicians need to just "coo the hell out". First of all, this is NOT about black or white. It was CLEARLY stated that anyone named by the Governor whose corrupt and dirty up to his nose would NOT be seated. Bottom line. What part of that didn't Mr. Burris NOT understand? If was truly an honorable man. Mr. Burris would have announced at a press conference that he would accept the nomination ONLY if the Chicago Senate APPROVES of his nomination!! That's the RIGHT THING TO DO!!! But he DID NOT, WHY?

Mr. Burris knows he was NEVER the best choice in Chicago. Where was the Governor's support when he ran 5 times and LOST?? Blagovegich would NEVER has nominated Mr. Burris if he wasn't BUSTED for being corrupt and dirty. Let's call it like it is.

Mr. Burris is CLEARLY is becoming MORE and MORE like the Governor himself. He's playing the political "black token" game and will LIE, STEAL AND CHEAT his way into the Senate Seat every time he opens his mouth. This whole notion that he doesn't want to cause any confrontations is nothing but HOGWASH!!! Mr. Burris is the "ring leader" in the circus show.

A surprisingly sane viewpoint from Rep. Clever. Weird Al Sharpton and Racism-is-the-answer-what's-the-question Jesse Jackson sure have been quiet about this. I've also not heard Obama make a definitive staement on whether Burris should be seated or not. He has just said the appointment is 'disappointing'. How about a position, or do you need a month to study the polls?

THE FUN HAS JUST STARTED!!!!!!!!!!

THE DEMS CONTROL THE SENATE AND HOUSE!!!!!!!

PELOSI AND REED ARE STILL RUNNING THE SHOW!!!!!

OBAMA TAKES CONTROL JANUARY 20TH!!!!!!!!!

BURRIS IS IN AND EVERYONE IS AFRAID DUE TO THE RACE ISSUE!!!!

THANK YOU OBAMA SUPPORTERS!!!!
THANKS TO YOU WE CAN WATCH AMERICA FALL APART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I very much agree with Rep. Cleaver. Race is not and should not be made the issue regarding this Senate seat.

The issue, from my prospective, is Roland Burris' judgment. I question why he would accept a seat from a tainted governor in defiance of his own party. The Democratic controlled Senate made it clear early on that given the ethical cloud Blagojevich is under, they would accept no one Blagojevich appointed. Under these circumstances, can Mr. Burris really attempt to serve the people of Illinois well by accepting this appointment?

I don't understand why Roland Burris allowed himself to be put in the middle of this mess. This isn't a black thing or a white thing. It's whether or not the Gov. of Illinois engaged in criminal activity.

I would like to see some Black, Asian and Latinso elected to the Senate but the key word is, elected. It's up to the American people to make that happen.

I agree with Rep. Cleaver.

That man Burris should be no where near the Senate. I am a black man and this is getting to embarrassing for me.

Why should any black person say Burris is being denied a senate sut because he is black in a country that just elected a black president.

I heard that Burris say this in MSNBC the other night. He does not respresent me and never will. He think he is not tainted like Bloago… well.. we will see.

Why did Burris meet with 30 black ministers from Chicago before going to Washington? Tell me why when a black politician is speaking must there be a huge hoard of black people standing on the stage behind them? This is all about race. Just listen to Rep. Bobby Rush.

I persomally do not care what color the new senator happens to be as long as he is qualified. I'm not so sure we need a guy like Burris who is already 71 years old. Why would anyone want to get involved in the senate at that age? We have much younger more qualied people to represent those of us from Illinois.

I agree with Cleaver. No one should be seated anywhere because they are black. Mr. Burris wants a handout but not because he is black. This Senate should go to anyone of any color. Mr. Burris just because Obama is black dosen't give you are any black person the right to call this racism. Jackson step back and look at how the fool appointed this black man over you and see if that was appropriate or just a mistake. Jackson is black but why didn't he get picked over Burris? People wake up and stop putting race into every picture when things so wrong.

Look, so Congressman Rush isn't the most elequent of speakers. Nonetheless, his point was important. It is easy for those of you who have never been subject to discrimination to say "don't worry about it". Electing Obama to office was huge. But it didn't mean that we don't have a problem with diversity. Inclusion will always be an issue, we simply need to accept that and be diplomatic about it.

Each Senator has to represent all the people of his State. Bobby Rush was ruthlessly unjust in attempting to coerce the Senate by making the debate over Burris into a racial dispute. Rush doesn't care about the harm he causes, just so long as he gets his way. Illinois voters should consider this behavior when the next election cycle comes around.

NICK —- January 6th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

Rep Bobby Rush…….get over your own racist beliefs.. The rest of us have.

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

Actually, many have NOT gotten over their racist beliefs. That's why this is going to become a bigger issue than it has .

Interesting how you're not hearing WHITE officials calling it a 'black seat'.

Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemies. Progress has already been lost in a crusade to wield power over our population. Nicely done.

I believe Mr. Burris should be ashamed of himself for putting himself into the mix. Does he have any self respect? We know he has an ego problem. But that is covering up clear thinking.

It is important to note the progress in the country on the minority side that there is legitimate debate amongst the black caucus on what is obviously a dangerously wrong precedent to apply color to a senate seat. A time was when the sense of grievance would have trumped good sense.

Still, two competing points of view here – if the senate fairly reflected the 8% of blacks in the population there would be at least 4 through 12 african americans in senate(+- 50% representation). But there was a time when there was 0 so progress does not happen overnight. Competence and ethics are also mandatory considerations. Good african american senators can well be found within these set of constraints. Still, when all is considered, pinning those statistics to specific seats is flat out wrong.

Thank you! It seems like the media is trying very hard to make this a race issue. It's not. Skin color does not and should not determine a Senate seat. Blago was wrong and Burris has also now diminished the intergity of the seat because of his huge ego!

I'm hearing what other Black caucus members were saying and I can't believe most of them support Burris. The Senate clearly stated they wouldn't seat ANY appointment by Blago and now it appears some black caucus members are changing sides. But I appreciate Cleaver seeming to try and diffuse some racial tension.

If Obama was able to deal with Clinton and the McCain/Palin monster, this will be a cakewalk breath of relaxing air for him.

As a balck American, I hope other blacks do not see this as a race issue. Blago is using black people to cause a stir. I hope this does not remain an issue. Please congress handle this and get this over with ASAP so we can move on with real business. The black community in Chicago is trying to make this about race. I think this is Burris supporters Please sit down and do not embarrass us!!!

Oh, so now you are gonna ask Mr Burris to vacate what has now become his self-annointed black seat? Burris is clearly a self-serving racism-propagating opportunist or he never would have taken such advantage of Blago's tainted appointment. SHAME on Burris. Great shame.

I hope this doesn't turn into a race thing. I can understand how easily race can be misconstrued as a factor. We have come to far. Nobody questions Burris's ability or credentials. It is the Gov they are after. I think he should be seated.

Exactly! This whole mess has NOTHING to do with Burris and has EVERYTHING to do with Blagojevich.

Ignorance is natural. Stupidity takes commitment. –Solomon Short

It's frustrating to me to view events such as these, that deal with political correctness and race. Urging the acceptance of Buris' seating simply because there are no black Senators is ridiculous. Yes, please ignore the corruption scandal the man's involved in at the moment, and seat him because it serves to prove a point. "Plantation politics"? Please. If another candidate with the correct credentials and signs of approval arrived, and he was black, his seating would happen without fail. Do you honestly think it's because the man's black that this is happening? Blame his involvement with Blago and the dirty politics that have been exposed, not race. Actually, the fact that the race card is played so often when any non-white race is denied something, regardless of reasoning, is racist in itself. Why can't we move past this. We just elected the first minority President for heavens sake. So please, when discussing matters such as these Mr. Rush, try to observe the actuality of the situation, before diverting to an over-used and innappropriate stereotyping of caucasian individuals. Honestly.

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……Geeez, I'm totally disgusted by it all.

Rep Bobby Rush seems to be reliving the old plantation days himself.
I wonder if he would trade a Black Pres. for another Black Senator..
Rush get over your own racist beliefs.. The rest of us have.

We shouldn't allow Blagojevich to use division to obscure his wrongdoings. I can only wonder why Burris would want the association.

@milllie

I totally agree with you.

There is no question, Rep. Cleaver is right on the money. We need more black leaders like him around no those lie Mr. Rush who think the seat is a "black seat".

I do think it's weird there are only whites in the senate, but how are people surprised that they turned him down. He was appointed by Blago.

WHERE'S,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,,,,RULE,,,,,,,,,,,OF,,,,,,,,,,,,LAW ? ?

DESPITE,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,,,FACT,,,,,,,,,,,HE'S,,,,,,,,,,,A,,,,,,,,,POLITICAL,,,,,,,,,,

CRONIE,,,,,,,,,,HE,,,,,,,,,,,,,WAS,,,,,,,,,,DULY,,,,,,,,,,AND,,,,,,,LAWFULLY,,,,,,,,,

APPOINTED,,,,,,,,,,,,,BY,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,PEOPLE'S,,,,,,,,,,ELECTED,,,,,,,,,,

OFFICIAL,,,,,,,,,IN,,,,,,,,,,,GOOD,,,,,,,,,,STANDING,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

THE,,,,,,,,,,,DEMOCRATS,,,,,,,,,,,,WILL,,,,,,,,,,,,GO,,,,,,,,,,,DOWN,,,,,,,,,,,AS,,,,,,,,

THE,,,,,,,,,,"WALLACES",,,,,,,,,,OF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,TODAY

It was certainly a move to stir up more controversy. My advice to Obama is to stay focused and do not be distracted by all this crap. After all the dust settles, this will seem like much of nothing compared to the HUGE challenges facing this country! Stay focused Mr. President and don't let the son of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ get you down!

One of my radical conservative friends warned me that if ONE gets a chance, the others force their way in. I'm almost afraid that might be true. Nip it in the bud now. Either earn it, or give it up. NO FREEBIES BASED ON COLOR ALONE.

And yes, I have radical progressive and radical conservative friends. I'm registered Independent and will always be.

this has absolutely nothing to do with race. it's all about 'taint'. lol.

For once and for all, please change the process. It is not Blago's fault or anyone's fault. We dont have laws governing pending official investigation. The right path is the Lt Gov should appoint it. Why dont we quickly pass that law? People, please use your God-given talents.

Jeez, its getting pretty sad when there begins the feelings that there is a requirement to have diversity in the congress. Maybe we sould start requiring states to only field latinos or blacks, or asians as candidates. Which states should be reserved as "white" states?

People like Rush should realize the people of each state vote for their senators, it would be kind of hard to nationalize a plot to omit anyone of color. Democrats are supposed to be the color neutral party, why do they constantly bring up race then?

And it shouldn't. Everything in this country does not have to be about race. People can be objective without being prejudiced. I just can't figure out is why this guy accepted the offer in the first place. Either he likes being in the spotlight or he's power hungry. Either way it doesn't serve him right.

Bobby Bobby – this is not the sixties – Wow Chicago is in bad shape from where I sit. Rev Wright, Ayers, Bago, now Bobby.

Way to go Rep Cleaver

Finally, a sane voice on the race card that is trying to be played is heard from.

BRAVO Mr. Cleaver, BRAVO!

I'm glad someone said it… kinda feel back for Rep. Bobby Rush though, beats an upstart black state senator who tries to unseat him back in 2000. 8 years later, Rush is still a Congressman and the upstart state senator becomes President…

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.

Thank you Congressman Cleaver ! It is very sad to see people like Rep. Rush playing the race card. Rep. Rush is a "professional African-American" leader who simply can not make the transition to being an "African-American professional". Professionally and personally, those like Rep. Rush are so tied up in old "race game", that the idea of being judged on the content of their character is simply impossible for them to grasp. The closet comparison for what is happening to them now, is the challenge faced by the "professional white" politicians who had to change or fade away.

nicely put.

I agree with Rep. Cleaver. Blago thinks he has outsmarted most people (or at least tried to), by appointing Burris. President-elect Obama is in for a rough time …

TRUE. It is NOT a black seat……. it is the senate seat from Illinois, period. Good grief, why all the drama?

Again I say, Blagojevich lost the right to appoint a senator when he attempted to sell the seat.

Why is there such an uproar about race in the first place. Have an election and let the people choose who will represent them!

After over 40 years of the civil right movemnet, many African Americans, like Bobby Rush, still embrace the role of victim; even though the country just elected the first People of Color president.

I am a black woman and I despise when a person's color or race is being used as a cover up for hand outs. All appointments should be worked hard for just like Obama did for his. He did not just get up and say to all the Americans who voted for him to vote for him because they will prove themselves to be racists if they had not voted for him. According to those who voted for him, they proved the point that he had convinced them that he is capable of delivering his duties when chosen as the president and he fought for it every inch of the way. He did not receive it on a SILVER PLATTER.

A CONCERNED BLACK WOMAN

Why not choose the best person for the seat?

I've got to agree with this. You can't be having seats "allocated" to a particular minority or characteristic. I'm all for having diverse representation in a legislative body, but the voters need to have the final say.

Good for Cleaver. The age of race based politics are over. No longer are we judging people by the color of their skin when it comes to politics, we will judge them merely by their merits. Rush's description of the Senate as "Plantation politics" is deplorable and distinctly racist.

This is a seat held by Barack Obama and Carol Mosley Braun.

It would seem that Illinois has demonstrated its openess to elect blacks to the highest offices. There need not be any talk about racism based on a lack of success in elections.

We must always keep our eyes open for other signs of bias but Illinois has earned the right not to the benefit of the doubt in this case.

Now Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina are all together different.

I AGREE 100%.THE SEAT MUST BE FILLED BY A CAPABLE AND QUALIFIED AND TRUSTED INDIVIDUAL WITH NO BLACK CLOUDS HANGING OVER THEIR HEAD.

Thank you, Rep. Cleaver! Finally, a voice of reason out of the mouth of a fellow black politician. It is not reserved for a black candidate, no more than the office of the Presidency was reserved for a white candidate. I'm glad someone finally said it. I"m tired of being marginalized and tokenized, as are millions of other black people who have worked hard and struggled to get ahead the RIGHT WAY.

RIGHT ON!

THE GOAL IS COLOR BLINDNESS!!!!

YES WE DID!!!!

Why does it have to be a "black seat" in the first place….it's just a seat; put the "Appointed One" in it! Is that a problem? America!

WE ARE OVER THE BLACK & WHITE !!!

IT'S ABOUT A POSSIBLY BOUGHT SEAT.

As an African American I agree. References to Burris race are just an attempt to scare Senate Democrats into seating him by implying there might be a backlash from the African American community. The Illinois Secretary of State is perfectly within his rights in refusing to co-sign Blagojevich's appointment to the senate. Burris should sit tight and wait for this issue to be resolved instead of trying to barge his way into the senate.

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

i'M SORRY i KEEP POSTING THIS YOU GUYS!

As an African American, I am so very very very disgusted with this has been House Negro I could jusrt SPI T! What he needs to do is go sit his old azz down somewhere and let the people of Chicago decide who should get the seat. I am further disgusted that some white Senators are afraid to somehow offend black constiguents (sp.) by not sitting Mr. Burris!!! What a freaking crock! News Flash White SENATORS!!!!!!!!!!!! We dont care if a black, white, asian, Latino, Mexican etc., is appointed as long as he is is QUALIFIED! To think that black people are going to March in the street if this antiquated relic isnt seated is EVEN MORE OFFENSIVE!!!!! I equate it equally offensive to those whites who think that most blacks voted for Obama because of his Skin. While I dont deny I felt a certain pride in doing such, we voted for the Best DEMOCRAT! Believe me we would have voted overwhelmingly for ANY Democrat as we have in past elections.

What is wrong with you People!!!!!! Why are some white people so afraid to stand up and say …"I dont care what color this man is…..This isnt't Right and we as AMERICAN CITIZENS aren't gonna take it?" You'd be surprised at the Black Chorus that may Chime in with you.

I'm sorry I ranted.