Wouldn’t a white guy calling his opponents nothing but a bunch of unqualified black boys qualify as a racist statement?
Just when you thought the Blagojevich scandal couldn’t get anymore crazy comes the news that even though his lawyer has said he would not go ahead and make the pick for Obama’s Senate seat, today, he made the pick. It’s the black former Attorney General Roland Burris, a long time Blago lackey:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
~~~Shortly after Obama’s Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich’s arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor’s support.
Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama’s replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he’s never lost to a Republican.
~~~U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada previously warned Blagojevich, following the governor’s Dec. 9 arrest, that Senate Democrats would not seat any appointment the two-term Democratic governor made. Reid’s warning was contained in a letter signed by all 50 sitting Democratic senators, including the No. 2 Democrat in Senate leadership, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.
Reid said he wouldn’t seat anyone picked by Blago, and true to his word…and even though Burris would be the only black Senator, he told Blago to go stick it:
The Senate will not seat Roland Burris if Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich attempts to appoint him, a Democratic leadership aide said.
Majority Leader Harry Reid views Burris as “unacceptable,” the aide said.
Harry may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but he can see the writing on the wall. If this long time Blago supporter were to be seated there would be hell to pay.
Oh, it gets better. Hot Air found this blast from the past:
Burris, the only black candidate in the Democratic field of four, issued a cryptic response to reports that he told an African-American community group that his opponents are “non-qualified white boys.”
Classic!
UPDATE
Via Hot Air. Skip ahead to 3:25 to view the fireworks:
See author page
Has there ever been a situation in the last 100 years where the Senate refused to seat an incoming member?
The Senate may have the ultimate say so as to who sits in the Senate, but I wonder if there is a legal recourse a state would follow if the Senate refused to seat the member appointed by the governor.
Looks like Blago isn’t going to fall on his sword for the Dems any time soon.
Good!
The following newspaper article
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-history-11-dec11,0,3828982.story
tells of an 1899 Montana selection where the winner wasn’t seated for two years, and a 1909 *Illinois* selection where the winner was thrown out after two years. So Illinois is a leading state in the Evil Senator category! Of course, Wisconsin (where I hail from) is no slacker there, but I’ve no link for you at this time.
something more recent than that… Supreme Court ruled on a NY Senator(?) that was elected but put his wife on the payroll, that if he is qualified to be seated, he’s qualified. Meaning, he’s over 30, a citizen and lives in the area where he represents. Doesn’t leave Harry Reid a lot of wiggle room… maybe the IL Courts will help him out.
Time to start making calls to Dem leadership and other Senators telling them it’s “racist” not to seat Burris. Makem squirm
Bwahahahahaha~!
It appears that Dirty Harry Reid & Dick Turban Durbin will spin their wheels on this issue for at least the first 90 days of the next session on this appointment, legally made by the sitting Governor of Illinois. Regardless of Blago’s issues, until Blago is impeached, which may take months, the Dems can look forward to one hell of a blue on blue pissing contest and a lot of Dem dirty laundry thrown about like snowballs at recess. I will enjoy it!
The Chicago Dem Machine is such an incestuous crew politically and have a proud history of back room dealings that every Chicago Dem in the new Administration will be ducking & running from the Press for a while. It casts a pall on ALL of Them. I love it!
Lets see if the Great Obama can get anything done with Congress with this divisive business going on. The economy hasn’t hit bottom yet, the Middle East is on fire, the Treasury will be printing more Monopoly Money, everybody and his cousin are lining up for Bailout Cash, He has Campaign Promises that must be kept and the American Voter/Taxpayer will be watching.
His backer/ benefactor Rezko is singing like a canary to avoid prison time, Blago will do the same to cut a deal. Whats not to like about this?
Stay tuned, buy more popcorn and enjoy the show if you aren’t too worried about your mortgage, your 401k or your kids college fund. Be reminded that the Dem Majority, for the past two years was more concerned about steriod use in Major League Baseball and stopping the successful Surge than their Constitutional Duty of oversight duty over Fannie & Freddie.
Fasten your seatbelts. It is going to be a bumpy ride!
Greetings:
George Bernard Shaw is purported to have said, “If you can’t keep your skeletons in the closet, make them dance.”
I never would have guessed that Governor Blagojevich was a fan.
As I read Article I (Which of course outlines the functions of the legislative branch, NOT the executive branch as claimed by our esteemed VP-elect), I can’t find anywhere where the Senate has the power to not seat an incoming member. It does give them the power to remove a member with a 2/3 vote, but again, it doesn’t give them the power NOT to seat a member. While I’m not a defender of Blago’s by any means, the people of Illinois elected the man, and they elected the legislature that gave him the power to make the appointment, and they elected the legislature that refused to vote for an emergency election. As far as I’m concerned, they reap what they sow.
number 1, this appears to be a huge “kiss my ass” by blago. like he is saying “go ahead and not seat him you racist pigs”. the dems are full of tricks aren’t they?
number 2, is it me or did rush sound like he has a speech issue , or like he had been drinking? i mean, if he had been drinking, i could understand it becuase he is part of the dirtiest state politics in the nation. also he is throwing the race issue out there to try and switch the issue away from blago and back to race. drunk or not i think he is a dumbass.
Obama issued the following statement in which he disagreed with the appointment:
“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. 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.”
Someone answer this to his statement on texasdarlin and I find it funny:
“So crackhead Soetoro/Dunham/Obama thinks Blago should resign because he’s suspected of criminal activity? Lol”
Is not the great O engaging in politics as usual? tsk tsk
Check out Burris’ future gravesite/memorial at
He left room on his list of accomplishments to put US Senator, no doubt.
Laugh, well. No need to talk about if he’s qualified, or if the appointment is just. He’s black, people! How dare you refuse a black man a senate seat. In fact, more of you whiteys need to give up your seat (voluntarily or not) for black folks.
</sarcasm>
Why’s it always gotta be about race? Why does that argument seem to come from blacks more often than not?