Why Barack Is Not Feeling This Black Man!
Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich today named former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris, the first African American to hold statewide office, to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
If nothing else, Blago is defiant i n stirring the pot. The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they would not seat anyone appointed by the disgraced governor who faces criminal charges of trying to sell the post, sources familiar with the decision said. Although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may want to watch his own back, with reports that some Dems are trying to kick him to the curb.
Shortly after Obama's Nov. 4 victory, the 71-year-old 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.
Guess he figured if a black man should retain the seat, it might as well be him.
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.
Meanwhile, president-elect Barack Obama said Tuesday that it is disappointing that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich ignored warnings from Senate Democrats about appointing a successor to his Senate seat.
"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 Gov. Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it."
Obama added that the best resolution would be for Blagojevich to resign office and "allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Gov. 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."
Also, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said Tuesday that Burris' appointment will not be certified by his office.
But Blagojevich said at a news conference Tuesday that he is confident the U.S. Senate will seat his appointment. "This is about Roland Burris, not about the man who appoints him," he said after announcing his choice.But Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois, who appeared at the afternoon news conference, warned senators about blocking Burris from being seated.
"There are no African-Americans in the U.S. Senate. And I don't think any U.S. senator who's sitting in the Senate right now wants to go on record to deny one African-American from being seated in the U.S. Senate," he said.
"I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer and separate the appointee from the appointer," Rush said. "Roland Burris is worthy."
Rush said he will take that argument to the Congressional Black Caucus as well as U.S. senators -- including Dick Durban, a Democrat and Illinois' senior senator.
"This is not about race at all," Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, told CNN on Tuesday.
"The problem is the appointer, not the appointee. ... The governor in this act of defiance is doing more harm than good," she said.
Blagojevich, however, defended his pick, calling Burris a "wise and distinguished senior statesman" with "unquestioned integrity."
Blagojevich asked the media not to visit any of his political troubles on Burris.
"Please don't let the allegations against me taint this good and honest man," he said.
Burris said Tuesday that it's "incomprehensible that the people of the great state of Illinois will enter the 111th Congress shorthanded."
"I welcome the challenge that awaits us ... have faith that the record I have forged in the past four decades, and I'm proud of the accomplishments as a public servant."
Burris, a principal at Burris & Lebed Consulting in Chicago, would serve the remaining two years of Obama's Senate term. Burris previously ran and lost bids for the U.S. Senate and governor, losing the gubernatorial nomination once to Blagojevich.
Burris on Tuesday also responded to questions about Blagojevich's legal troubles. Watch Burris accept the Senate appointment »
"I have no comment on what the governor's circumstance is," he said. "As a former attorney general of the state, I know ... that in this legal process, you're innocent until you're proven guilty."
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