January 9, 2009
Posted: January 9th, 2009 04:25 PM ET

From

(CNN) - An aide to Sen. Dick Durbin tells us he is expected to say at his press conference later today that even though the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled Roland Burris doesn’t need the secretary of state’s signature to make his appointment official, Senate rules still require it - and congressional leaders don’t see a way to seat him without it.

But aides to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid say their lawyers are still looking at the ruling, and deliberating. They point to a passage in the court's Friday decision that suggests an alternative way to authenticate the certificate of appointment.

Separately, Democratic aides say they are still hoping that impeachment proceedings for Gov. Rod Blagojevich keep moving - and note that the moment he leaves office, the issue is moot: if the state's lieutenant governor moves into the top spot, he will sign an election certificate for either Burris or another candidate. That certificate would then be signed by Secretary of State Jesse White, since Gov. Rod Blagojevich's name will no longer be involved.

Filed under: Dick Durbin • Harry Reid • Roland Burris


Simmy   January 9th, 2009 9:35 pm ET

*********************
To Keith, FL:

I agree with you.
*********************
Why is it that Dems seem to be getting some metal in their spines now? Some of them acted as if they were afraid of Bush, and let him run wild for 8 years. Now we have the makings of a great president on board, and some are whining about his Stimulus Plans, others are not on board with some of his selections, and a couple of them have even gone "rogue" and said "publicly" that they do not work for PE Obama. Why now? Why are they so hell-bent on causing disunity? I would not want to think the obvious, and say that there seems to be an underlying thread of disrespect trying to unraveled.

This kind of pulling of political cords in different directions within the same party will not be tolerated by true supporters of PE Obama. Dems, get your house back in order.
*************************************************************************
Like it or not, Sen. Burris will be seated. SML Reid is making this a sideshow as he continues to delay the process. Gov. Blago is the accused. The courts will take care of him. Do the legal and binding thing. Obey the law.

Tim   January 9th, 2009 9:12 pm ET

All I can say is Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

And I have an over-riding urge to head to downstate Illinois and Washington DC dressed as a clown, and walk around and ask everyone I see if they can point me to the circus.

J in NJ   January 9th, 2009 8:59 pm ET

At the end of the day Burris must be seated, its the law. Obama quit therefore the replacement issue falls to the state, not Reid, not Durbin but the State of Illinois. The law is clearly spelled out in the Illinois state constitution the "sitting Governor" makes the call. At the time of the appointment Blago was the "sitting Governor". He had full power and authority to make the appointment. Infact he was legally bound to make the call.
He should have resigned but he did not, so we gotta live with the choice for the next two years. Having said all that the next words outta Reid's mouth should be "this way Senator Burris". This is a clear case of interference of States rights

David Fox   January 9th, 2009 8:38 pm ET

I am no attorney, but reading the Courts ruling, it is a simple fix. Get a copy of the appointment letter and have the Secretary of the State of Illinois sign and apply the State Seal to the the copy..

TrueBlue   January 9th, 2009 8:00 pm ET

As an Illinois resident I do not want Burris as senator. If he had the interests of the people of Illinois as his priority, he would not have accepted this appointment from Blago in the first place.

But it is the interests and ego of Roland Burris that drives him. News flash, Roland, your interests and the interests of the rest of the residents of Illinois are not the same.

All of you non-Illinoisans opining we should have him as our senator - would you be saying the same thing if he was attempting to become senator from your state?

Jean2   January 9th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

The Senate should stand up for it's rules. If they let Burris in it opens the door.

The whole circus is horrible, and Burris knew this when allowed himself to be played. Burris is not stupid he knew race would be used to get him seated.

SEND THIS GUY HOME WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I AM BLACK AND THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Willy Brown   January 9th, 2009 7:45 pm ET

Go ahead, make my day Democrats!

Hammer   January 9th, 2009 7:37 pm ET

Reid has shown his leadership ability in this case He shot his mouth off as usual and now he is going to eat crow again.
Really the type of people that we need in congress and elected as their leader no less.
And you wonder why the American people does not trust Congress!

Larry   January 9th, 2009 7:34 pm ET

Typical Democrats--LAWS?? They were just made to be broken.We don't need no stinken laws.

Chicago Red   January 9th, 2009 7:21 pm ET

You guys shut Burrus out because it was not signed by Ill Secretary of State Jesse White.... the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled Roland Burris doesn’t need the secretary of state’s signature to make his appointment official now you say Senate rules still require it — and congressional leaders don’t see a way to seat him without it.
— Reid what you need to do is go to the House and take that retard Nancy and Durbin with you ......

Juan Grain   January 9th, 2009 7:21 pm ET

isn't a burris a thing that gets under your skin and irritates?

Chicago Red   January 9th, 2009 7:21 pm ET

You guys shut Burrus out because it was not signed by Ill Secretary of State Jesse White.... the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled Roland Burris doesn’t need the secretary of state’s signature to make his appointment official now you say Senate rules still require it — and congressional leaders don’t see a way to seat him without it.
— Reid what you need to do is go to the House and take that retard Nancy and Durbin with you ......

LYNETTE IN CA   January 9th, 2009 7:12 pm ET

What is taking this so long?? Blago should be out and so should Burris. He is connected to Blago and he said at the hearing yesterday, but his involvement w/Blago's lobbyist Lou Monk. Also, that Burris' partner tried to get Blago's wife a position on a Board. Open mouth, insert foot.

Tad Armstrong   January 9th, 2009 7:01 pm ET

Our own Senator Durbin violating the Constitution he is sworn to uphold. I could care less about Burris or Blago, but the Constitution is the Supreme law of the land. Durbin is violating it. It's almost laughable. A Democrat violating the Constitution to deny a fellow Democrat he says he respects his rightful seat in the Senate. That is stuff novels are made of.

Pat J   January 9th, 2009 7:00 pm ET

Hey, Harry - let it go - seat the guy, already - the world won't end. Don't you have bigger things to do (guess NOT - as usual) - like - do an investigation on the "Mac" mortgage guys (including Dodd and Franke), who drove us into this sinking home mortgage pit !!!!!!

Texas Teacher   January 9th, 2009 6:49 pm ET

If there is anyway to keep from seating Burris, I think they should. For the love of God, the man was appointed by a man who wanted to sell the seat! Burris contributed 20,000 dollars to the man's... what... campaign! Sounds like a bought and paid for seat to me! :(

james   January 9th, 2009 6:49 pm ET

Powell could have made a great President. I still Love him of his work in this great nation!

Gary of El Centro, Ca   January 9th, 2009 6:45 pm ET

Just seat the man and get on with the serious work of the people. This is just a sideshow.

Ellie   January 9th, 2009 6:30 pm ET

WHAT the heck is all the RUSH to seat this guy? WHY? I mean is there a fire sale somewhere? Everyone needs to SLOW their roll. Let's take this slow and make sure all the dots are crossed and we don't miss anything that should NOT be missed. Bottom line.

Jesus, what's the rush. AND...

Rolland Burris would NEVER have been APPOINTED or ELECTED for this seat any other time. He was NOT even Blagovegich's FIRST choice. Burris is an opportunist and is trying to FORCE a quick seating. Coming from a man that NEVER was elected by the people of Chicago in the past to a Senate Seat!!! Hummmm, WHY is that??

Bottom line.

boered1   January 9th, 2009 6:27 pm ET

I say DO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY, THE ILLINOIS GOVERNOR AND SUPREME COURT HAVE ACCEPTED HIS APPOINTMENT, he meets the requirements of law for the seat. Stop ditheing and grandstanding and do your job seat the man.
period
no discussion required we are a country of laws this political crap is the problem and for all you people who think you can be "tainted" because you know someone or worked with someone or heard that someone might be a crimminal I say PLEASE STOP VOTING AND BREEDING we have too many idiots already!

idiots

Robin   January 9th, 2009 6:26 pm ET

I admire the Senate Democrats for trying to stall the seating Burris for as long as possible, but they might not have a choice If Burris challenges them in court.

Amius   January 9th, 2009 6:20 pm ET

I hope the Senate has the guts to decline to seat him. He was appointed by a crook. The Senate should force his hand further. They have the authority to deny him the seat. They should exercise it and let the U.S. Supreme court hear the case if Burris wants to take it there. The whole thing is a farce!

Matt   January 9th, 2009 6:17 pm ET

Simple. Get the Illinois legislature to schedule a special election ASAP. Burris is gone as soon as someone is elected. Read the decision.

Brooklyn   January 9th, 2009 6:14 pm ET

Burris will get the seat and he should NOT get it... But, non the less, he will...

I personally can not look at anyone who forces themselves on people in the way he has... That is a sign that he does not have the interest of the people at heart, only his self and his own gain...

Typical politician...

Rick   January 9th, 2009 6:10 pm ET

Lets see, I think its racist for Burris to use his color to get the position and I believe that it is discrimination against people who want a truthfull election for Obama's replacement, but I see that if you are black and scream racism you get you way, but soon it will change and it will be the whites and native americans screaming racism..........

Dee   January 9th, 2009 6:05 pm ET

This is getting ridiculous. Have we reached the point where we need a grown-up to resolve which takes priority between the 17th Amendment of the Constitution and the Rules of the Senate?

John F. Leech   January 9th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

Mr. Burris may, or may not, be the best candidate for this open Senate seat, but that isn't the issue.

The issue solely concerns the current Illinois Governor's attempts to "sell" this appointment for his own personal gain.

The Senate should NOT allow this selection to go forward.

This vacant Senate seat should be selected by whatever process Illinois decides, once Gov. B. is removed from office.

Keith, FL   January 9th, 2009 6:02 pm ET

Why is the Senate weighing anything? They're not going to do anything. They act like such wimps. Anybody can stampede the Senate.

They'd better not create problems for Barack, after they allowed George Bush to run a mack truck through the halls of Congress.

James Johnson   January 9th, 2009 6:01 pm ET

OK, fine... Jesus, are there not more pressing and more important issues. I would hate to think that my elected officials are burning time on this issue. Give that man a break. Let's get on with more important issues like the economy and job losses. How about the Pipe Designer bail out. I need a bail out now. Low finances... Come on guys... let's focus !

James Johnson
Houston, Texas

TW, oregon   January 9th, 2009 6:01 pm ET

Boy those dem boys play childish games. Who cares what the constitution says. It sure ain't gonna stop the dems from swinging their weight around. Makes me sick.

Rick   January 9th, 2009 5:58 pm ET

Blago has already exposed Harry Reid for the irrelevent gnat that he is. If the dems aren't careful Blago just may spill the beans on some or all of The Great Obama's dirty laundry.

It's going to be a fun 4 years watching this clown show implode.

Simmy   January 9th, 2009 5:49 pm ET

The next move: open the doors and let him in. Case closed.

Third Party '09   January 9th, 2009 5:40 pm ET

In an interview this week, Ill Secretary of State, White said he would sign the document only if ordered to by the court, or requested to do so by Mr. Obama. I'm a little disturbed that this has become less of an issue on whether Burris is qualified and more about who the Senate decides can be part of their exclusive club or what Obamabots want.

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