Burris: “I’m enjoying this on behalf of the people of Illinois”

January 5, 2009

[reposting - Burris posts just disappeared for some reason]

Roland Burris is the legally appointed Junior Senator from Illinois. That is what the law states. It was a lawful (probably one of the more lawful ones) appointment by Gov Blagojevich who has not been indicted on any charges.

Period.

It is not popular because the Illinois democrats have been trying to get rid of blago for years even though they were behind him in 2006 to re-elect him….including barry. Lisa Madigan Attorney General didn’t because they were already investigating blagojevich. It was no mystery. Just like Rezko was under investigation when barry made his “boneheaded mistake” in buying his house.

The Dems had a chance to pick someone else but they did not. They could have endorsed Roland Burris who was also running - but they didn’t. That is the sweetness…the true blago genius…he is getting back at the folks - like barry - who endorsed Burris over him.

The onus is on them. Even lobbyist David Axelrod, a man without scruples, wouldn’t get his hands dirtier to work on blago’s initial campaign.

But barry and Emanuel did, and did so with enthusiasm and glee. “You betcha!” said barry when asked if he was going to work to get “Hot Rod” elected.

Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State, said he would never sign off on a blago appointment. That was before he knew that it would be his long time friend and fellow senior statesman from Illinois. Privately it must be hard, but for his own political life he can’t go back on his promise, especially if/when blago gets impeached. Or I suppose he could know something….

But the Secretary of the Senate, Nancy Erickson has already rejected his appointment because of the missing signature by White.

Rule 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate states that the secretary of state must sign the certificate of election along with the governor.

With all the other madness going on this is what they spend their first day back at the senate doing? barry the uniter is a joke? Team of rivals? Well here is the first real check on his words.

So if it isn’t signed he will be refused entrance to the senate floor. Burris doesn’t think so.

I am going [to Washington] to be seated. I am the junior senator from the state of Illinois — that’s all I can say.

If I am turned away, my lawyers will take it from there, and we’ll see what happens.

I’m not angry with anybody. In fact, I’m enjoying this on behalf of the people of Illinois.

Even though he know Jesse White personally and knows he will stick to his word - he needs to get reelected - Burris said to Wolf Blitzer. He was Illinois States Attorney.

We know that under Illinois law and constitutional law that the Secretary of State can in no way veto legal action of the governor. So that signature is only perfunctory and ceremonial to put the seal on it for, you know, recording and filing purposes.

Burris said he hasn’t heard from barry. Surprise. And he said he “I can’t negotiate in the press” as to whether he would agree not to run in 2010.

And then there are the Senate Members themselves, which would be very hard to do as 99 white vs 1 black - all of which was planned on by blago:

Senate leaders questioning the appointment cite Article 1, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution, which states, “Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members.”

What does Harry Reid think?

Let’s just wait and see and when we have something real, we’ll deal with it.

He added that Burris will “not be allowed on the floor” until his appointment is certified.

And he dismissed the idea of Burris not running in 2010, saying, “I think that would not be a good deal to me.”

What is Burris going to say to Reid when he gets there?

I will tell him I’m here to take my seat. There’s no way my distinguished majority leader can say I am not the senator. It is a legal appointment.

Source: CNN’s Dana Bash, Martina Stewart and Ted Barrett