Mr Burris' press conference as the official jr senator

January 13, 2009

Roland Burris' comments upon hearing he will be seated. Selected comments from the transcript. Note how he never mentions blagojevich by name.

MR. BURRIS: I'm truly humbled and honored to learn that later this week I will officially be sworn into the United States Senate as the Illinois junior senator. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve and I ask for your support and prayers, so that I may work with you, my senator -- my Senate colleagues and our new president to succeed at the challenges which face our state and our country.

I would like to publicly thank Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and my long-time friend and Illinois' senior senator, Dick Durbin. Never once did I doubt their intentions were motivated by anything other than doing what was right for the people of Illinois and by what they believed had to be done to protect the Senate as an institution. It will be my honor to both serve with them and to learn from them.

Secretary of State Jesse White, whom I've known for more than 30 years, is also owed a debt of gratitude. He also happen to be someone whose autograph I cherish. Some have criticized Jesse, and I think somewhat unfairly. He stood for what he believed was right, and in our state's best interest. His actions only reinforced what I have always known him to be, an honorable man.

courtesy PaulFVillarreal2

He went on to thank his staff and then spoke directly to The People of Illinois about the doubts about him and his taint by blagojevich. One poll had shown that 52% of Illinoians were against his appointment. That was before barry finally made a stand, which was most assuredly because Burris was taking the press away from him.

...I recognize that my appointment triggered a challenging time for many. Reasonable people can and will arrive at different decisions that although -- were in the best interests of our state. They -- they should not be faulted for doing their best to serve our state in the best way they thought possible.

The single most important reason why I fought, to defend this appointment, was because I believed Illinois people didn't deserve to unfairly be punished again, by delaying their right to have full representation and equal voting rights at such a crucial time for our state and our nation. My motivation is to serve, was pure and had nothing to do with the scandal that preceded my appointment.

...My passion truly is to serve you. I look forward to providing that, every chance that I get. I cannot say enough how humbled and honored I am to be afforded this opportunity to serve.

And finally if you are among the many in Illinois, who are disheartened by the cloud that hangs overhead and darkens our state's image, I ask that you join me in remembering the old saying: "It's always the darkest before the dawn."

I believe that dawn is near and brighter days are ahead for Illinois, and I'm looking forward to serving in the United States Senate.

Quite frankly, how much darker can they get nationally? Well once the truth comes out about barry but by then the whole nation and world will be darkened and disillusioned. The ones who knew all along will be very angry and justifiably so.

QUESTION: today Republican leaders have said the Democrats chose to trust a madman over the people of Illinois. What's your reaction to that?

BURRIS: No, there's no reaction to that. The governor carried out his constitutional duties. He had no choice but to carry out the duties that were -- that were -- that he took an oath to carry out when he was sworn in for governor. That's my response.

He knows how to handle a press conference. He took on Mika and won while smiling like a sweet grandpops. And what about Caroline Kennedy? Can she handle a press conference? And there isn't any positive "taint" about her family name qualifying her for an appointment to the senate?

Q: How do you explain the turnaround in six days?

BURRIS: Well, I think that after all the procedures were -- excuse me -- were brought together, then people recognized that we should get -- move forward and get this action behind us.

They moved in for the kill.

Q Mr. Burris, did you have to make any deal not to run in 2010?

BURRIS: The only request that was made of me from Senator Reid and Senator Durbin was that I make my testimony before the Illinois house impeachment committee and secondly that I would clear up the signature from the secretary of state's office and that was it.

Q Senator, your lawyers indicated Friday that you had formed a campaign committee. Might you run in 2010?

BURRIS: Well, we had to form a fund-raising committee because of the, you know, needed expenses that we'll have. And we're also forming a legal -- legal defense fund committee, too.

They asked about the asterisk - he reiterated it was a legal appointment and that there is "no such thing as taint." And that there's "nothing in the statute about taint." He said he relishes the chance to once again be a public servant. They asked how he was going to overcome the skeptics. He responded that, "My actions will speak louder than my words." He mentioned all the letters and phone calls he has received congratulating him.

As one of those People of Illinois, I love Mr Burris' appointment. He's a joy to watch and he makes me smile. You want to see transparency - he's it - naked ambition and all. Why does the press question a p0litician's ego and ambition? Why else would they think they could win office?

They asked again about a run in 2010 and he said he wants to "get my Senate legs under me, and we'll make that decision at the proper time." His comment about why his appointment was not pay-to-play should have tipped them off he has no money. They asked him about whether he was going to get to go to the Inauguration. He chuckled and gives a little insight of what is really going on behind the scene.

Q: Two weeks ago, you weren't even planning on going to the Inaugural.

BURRIS: I was waiting on my tickets from Obama. (Chuckles.)

Q And now what? How -- are people calling you?

Q: What about those Inaugural tickets?

BURRIS: (Chuckles.)

Q Are you going to get some tickets to the Inauguration? And were you planning --

MR. BURRIS: (Chuckles.) Now do you want me to state that publicly? (Laughs.)

(Laughter.)

Q (Off mike.)

MR. BURRIS: Because I do not know at this point what the situation is with the tickets.

Q (Off mike) -- looking for some?

BURRIS: Yes.

I bet they never thought about it. Who took the tickets that would have been allotted to the jr senate appointee? Now that it is public they have no choice but to get him tickets. And Bobby Rush? He explained how they got around Jesse White, the Illinois Secretary of State's signature. They asked about how frustrating it has been over the last several weeks. He answers sincerely - though talking in the third person is a tad off and he has a habit of it.

BURRIS: I look upon that as a learning experience and a part of life. And I cherish that type of experience, because that has made Roland Burris tougher. That made me be able to appreciate what the people of Illinois really want in their leadership. So I have no regrets for what I went through. It has made me more humble and made me to be prepared to even work harder to serve the people of my state.

They tried to get him to comment about the race issue that Rush brought up and he dodged it by enumerating his credentials. He said previous that he has never made race an issue in his campaigns - although he did once in 1998. See here. And in case you haven't made it by Oak Woods Cemetery to see his mausoleum, here's a summary of his previous campaigns. And here's his list of accomplishments.

BURRIS: Well, Charles, I plan to distinguish myself in the Senate the same way I did as attorney general and as state comptroller and as the vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, as the president of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, as the president of the National Association of State Comptrollers, as an exchange student to the University of Hamburg, where I studied international law in the German language. That's how I plan to handle that situation.

He can handle himself, smiling the whole way. He will make a fine senator and he will continue to frustrate the press' attempt to frazzle him. He is the Magic Man, afterall.