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Burris soon to be Gone?

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Anonymous

Guest
Governor of Illinois Calls for Burris to Resign

Sen. Roland Burris' problems just keep getting worse. The new governor, Pat Quinn (D), has called for Burris to resign from the Senate. Burris' chief of staff, Darrel Thompson, a longtime aide of majority leader Harry Reid, has resigned his position and has gone back to working for Reid. This is no accident. It is a signal that Reid wants Burris out of there, and fast. The Senate Ethics Committee is already investigating Burris. With the governor of Illinois and the majority leader of the Senate wanting him out, it is not clear what Burris is waiting for, perhaps a direct condemnation from the President? At this point it is unlikely Burris will be in the Senate 3 months from now and virtually certain that he will not be the Democratic nominee in 2010 as three high-powered Illinois Democrats (Attorney General Lisa Madigan, state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky) are all starting to explore a possible run. If all three of them decide to run for the Senate, with or without Burris, it could be a real bloodbath.
 

Mike

Well-known member
The more you put Chicago politics in the national spotlight the worse it looks. Pretty soon nobody is going to want Chicago-style pizza; they'll assume it's poorly constructed from inferior materials by shady chefs who got the contract from Rod Blagojevich. Who wants to eat tainted pizza?

The controversies surfacing around Roland Burris should have been predictable, and predicted by Democrats. But Senate Democrats were far too keen on getting that extra vote, and far too wary of being accused of racism, to do anything about it. Now Burris is wrapped up with investigations and cover-ups galore, and more bad news pops up daily.

The O'Hare Modernization Program, or OMP, is a behemoth of a project that Mayor Daley of Chicago and ex-Governor Rod "Let's make a ****in' deal" Blagojevich have been pushing on the city and state for years. In the past week, the project has become a target of the wide-ranging investigation into Blago's many and sordid business affairs. The OMP is one of the projects that Mayor Daley was shopping to Senators for inclusion in the stimulus (and indeed there is at least discretionary funding in the billions for airport expansions).

A few years back, Roland Burris ran for governor against Blago, then a state congressman. Part of Burris' campaign platform was opposition to Daley's O'Hare project. Burris claimed that he "could not support a plan that displaces O'Hare neighbors." At the time it was considered a strength of his platform. I spoke with Bensenville, Illinois city manager Jim Johnson today regarding Burris. Bensenville is one of the ghost towns created by the project. Back in 2001, Burris came to Bensenville, toured the neighborhoods and assured everyone, including the Suburban O'Hare Commission in a private meeting, that he was firmly opposed to the program. He wanted to protect their homes.

Here we are over eight years later, and now over 600 families have been displaced. But Burris isn't running for governor anymore. This year, Burris supports the OMP, going so far as to tell the Chicago Tribune that, as senator, he would fight for federal funding.

The probe into the OMP is focusing on kickbacks and back-door deals with regard to, big surprise, the construction companies involved. They would of course stand to make millions, in some cases hundreds of millions, if federal funding were delivered for the project. Staring to smell bad? Read on ...

Daley and Blagojevich wanted a federal windfall for their pet project, possibly so that the construction companies they are in bed with can kick them back some big bucks. Blago is going to be appointing the replacement for Barack Obama, "a ****ing valuable thing," and gets busted trying to sell it. Obama and Reid try to stop Blago from appointing a replacement on the grounds that he was trying sell the seat; in other words, because who is to know if the appointment was a buyer? They fail to stop it because, essentially, they were afraid of being called racists (at the first press conference with Reid, Durbin, and Burris, they spent the first ten minutes embarrassingly groveling about how Reid and Durbin really have so very many friends who are black, and how they knew Burris respected their black-friend-having-ness). So Burris is in, and "suddenly" finds religion on the OMP. Right when he's headed into a position to vote for it and push for it. Gee, that's not a huge coincidence or anything, right?

Jim Johnson says he isn't surprised by any of it. This kind of thing happens all too routinely in Illinois. He calls it "candy store corruption" and that sounds about right to me.

Assuming the investigation into the OMP uncovers, as expected, kick-backs and corruption, it will be an exceedingly logical step to suspect that part of the deal Burris made to get his seat was to agree to push for funding for Daley's runways to nowhere. Sure, it's a connect-the-dots game, but it seems like these days, if you connect the dots in Chicago politics, you always end up with a picture of Blagojevich. Or just plain corruption.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
The controversies surfacing around Roland Burris should have been predictable, and predicted by Democrats. But Senate Democrats were far too keen on getting that extra vote, and far too wary of being accused of racism, to do anything about it. Now Burris is wrapped up with investigations and cover-ups galore, and more bad news pops up daily.

Must be some short memories in this country....As I remember right- it was Reid and the Democratic leadership that were against his appointment by Blago- and actually fighting seating Burris----and it was some Repubs and the rightwingernuts on here that were saying he should be seated.....
Couldn't have been because BOTH were playing politics- and recognized he would be a weak candidate in 2010.... :???:

Republicans are already calling for his resignation from the Senate, which is an incredibly stupid move. Be careful what you wish for; you might get it. Suppose Burris listens and resigns. Then the new governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn (D), who is untainted by this scandal, can appoint a squeaky clean new senator who will be a much stronger candidate in 2010 than Burris. If Burris hangs on, he is likely to face a tough primary in 2010, with the entire Illinois Democratic Party opposing him. Still, his days in politics are probably numbered at this point. He might survive until 2010, but very unlikely beyond that.
 

Mike

Well-known member
Dem Leaders Beaten By Hurricane Burris
The Politico ^ | 1/7/09 8:51 PM EST | John Bresnahan


Harry Reid is poised to let Roland Burris take a seat in the Senate — an embarrassing about-face for a Democratic leader at the pinnacle of his power.

Just a week ago, Reid said unequivocally that anyone appointed by scandal-tarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich “will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.” But after a 45-minute meeting with Burris on Wednesday, Reid and Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin said they had come up with a three-part plan to get Burris into the Senate — and that the hurdles in his way would be “pretty easy” to clear.

Sources say Reid and other Democratic leaders underestimated the spectacle that would be caused by blocking Burris’ appointment and that they’ll now have to explain themselves as they clear the way for him to take President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.

“It wasn’t Reid’s finest moment, that’s for sure,” said an aide to one veteran Senate Democrat. “This looked bad from the beginning, and it hasn’t gotten any better.”

Reid bristled at the suggestion that he’d been outmaneuvered by Burris.

“It’s simply not true,” he snapped at a Capitol press conference.

Reid’s change of heart on Burris came after the 71-year-old former Illinois attorney general, aided by several Blagojevich operatives, helped gin up a weeklong media fracas that culminated in his being turned away from the Senate on Tuesday.

The fight grew uncomfortable for Democrats as Burris’ supporters — led by Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-Ill.) — argued that race was driving opposition to his appointment.

Reid caved under the race card. One of his very own tricks made a fool out of him. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 

Mike

Well-known member
Must be some short memories in this country....As I remember right- it was Reid and the Democratic leadership that were against his appointment by Blago- and actually fighting seating Burris----and it was some Repubs and the rightwingernuts on here that were saying he should be seated.....

If I remember correctly most here were saying that Illinois should have a special election, because anyone chosen by Blago would be crooked anyway.

Turns out that a special election would have been the wisest choice. But the Dems didn't want one for fear of a Republican getting elected.

This ain't over yet by a long shot.................................... :lol: :lol:
 

Tam

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Must be some short memories in this country....As I remember right- it was Reid and the Democratic leadership that were against his appointment by Blago- and actually fighting seating Burris----and it was some Repubs and the rightwingernuts on here that were saying he should be seated.....Couldn't have been because BOTH were playing politics- and recognized he would be a weak candidate in 2010.... :???:

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

kolanuraven wrote:
They should seat the man. He's a fine choice and he was chosen by the legal Gov, as the Gov is innocent until proven guilty.

I don't think it's fair to whip Burris about like this and it makes the Dem's look like the Keystone Cops.

I have to agree...

Alice

are these two on your rightwingnut list Oldtimer :wink:


reader (the Second)

I heard an interview with Burris tonight on the radio. I don't understand why the Illinois Sec of State did not sign his credentials. Does anyone know? Is it pressure from the DNC and Reid?

The liberal radio pointed out that this is a BAD precedent that might mean future appointees of other Governors could be denied and that they should seat him.

Is the liberal radio run by Republicans Oldtimer :wink:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
How come you didn't post the Bankers or Vans comments :???: Being selective- eh :???:
 

VanC

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
The controversies surfacing around Roland Burris should have been predictable, and predicted by Democrats. But Senate Democrats were far too keen on getting that extra vote, and far too wary of being accused of racism, to do anything about it. Now Burris is wrapped up with investigations and cover-ups galore, and more bad news pops up daily.

Must be some short memories in this country....As I remember right- it was Reid and the Democratic leadership that were against his appointment by Blago- and actually fighting seating Burris----and it was some Repubs and the rightwingernuts on here that were saying he should be seated.....
Couldn't have been because BOTH were playing politics- and recognized he would be a weak candidate in 2010.... :???:

There was no legal reason for the senate Democrats to refuse to seat Burris at the time. I said so, and others on this forum said so. We were right. They were trying to cover their butts. After they spent the past few years screaming about Republican corruption, the Blagojevich thing was a major blow, and they were trying to distance themselves from it.

Reid, Durbin, and their ilk were made to look like complete asses for initially refusing to seat Burris. The ironic thing is, now that Burris turns out to be cut from the same slimy mold as Blagojevich, they look like even BIGGER asses for seating him. Ain't life grand!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Republicans are already calling for his resignation from the Senate, which is an incredibly stupid move. Be careful what you wish for; you might get it. Suppose Burris listens and resigns. Then the new governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn (D), who is untainted by this scandal, can appoint a squeaky clean new senator who will be a much stronger candidate in 2010 than Burris. If Burris hangs on, he is likely to face a tough primary in 2010, with the entire Illinois Democratic Party opposing him. Still, his days in politics are probably numbered at this point. He might survive until 2010, but very unlikely beyond that.
[/quote]

This is funny. First of all, it's not just Republicans calling for Burris' resignation. Democrats here in Iliinois are doing the same thing, at least those that still have brains. They know that the sooner this thing is put in the past, the better. Quinn himself has called for his resignation, and wants to have a special election, but that's not likely to happen.

Second, if Quinn ends up appointing another senator, he's going to have to look long and hard to find a "squeaky clean" Democrat in this state. The only prominent Democrat that MIGHT qualify would be Secretary of State Jesse White, as he doesn't seem to have any ambitions beyond his present post. But then since he refused to certify Burris' appointment, that in itself would look tainted.

The sad fact is that anyone, from either party, who rises to power in Illinois probably has something to hide. Whoever gets appointed to fill Burris' seat, if that happens, will be under intense scrutiny, and they'll find something. It may not be connected to the Blagojevich thing, but people just don't rise to the top in this state without getting dirty. That's the way it is here.
 

Tam

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
How come you didn't post the Bankers or Vans comments :???: Being selective- eh :???:

Not selective just pointing out that there were Leftwingers also saying Burris should be seated unlike you making it look like only Republicans and Rightwing were the only ones. :wink:
 

Tam

Well-known member
VanC said:
Oldtimer said:
The controversies surfacing around Roland Burris should have been predictable, and predicted by Democrats. But Senate Democrats were far too keen on getting that extra vote, and far too wary of being accused of racism, to do anything about it. Now Burris is wrapped up with investigations and cover-ups galore, and more bad news pops up daily.

Must be some short memories in this country....As I remember right- it was Reid and the Democratic leadership that were against his appointment by Blago- and actually fighting seating Burris----and it was some Repubs and the rightwingernuts on here that were saying he should be seated.....
Couldn't have been because BOTH were playing politics- and recognized he would be a weak candidate in 2010.... :???:

There was no legal reason for the senate Democrats to refuse to seat Burris at the time. I said so, and others on this forum said so. We were right. They were trying to cover their butts. After they spent the past few years screaming about Republican corruption, the Blagojevich thing was a major blow, and they were trying to distance themselves from it.

Reid, Durbin, and their ilk were made to look like complete asses for initially refusing to seat Burris. The ironic thing is, now that Burris turns out to be cut from the same slimy mold as Blagojevich, they look like even BIGGER asses for seating him. Ain't life grand!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Republicans are already calling for his resignation from the Senate, which is an incredibly stupid move. Be careful what you wish for; you might get it. Suppose Burris listens and resigns. Then the new governor of Illinois, Pat Quinn (D), who is untainted by this scandal, can appoint a squeaky clean new senator who will be a much stronger candidate in 2010 than Burris. If Burris hangs on, he is likely to face a tough primary in 2010, with the entire Illinois Democratic Party opposing him. Still, his days in politics are probably numbered at this point. He might survive until 2010, but very unlikely beyond that.

This is funny. First of all, it's not just Republicans calling for Burris' resignation. Democrats here in Iliinois are doing the same thing, at least those that still have brains. They know that the sooner this thing is put in the past, the better. Quinn himself has called for his resignation, and wants to have a special election, but that's not likely to happen.

Second, if Quinn ends up appointing another senator, he's going to have to look long and hard to find a "squeaky clean" Democrat in this state. The only prominent Democrat that MIGHT qualify would be Secretary of State Jesse White, as he doesn't seem to have any ambitions beyond his present post. But then since he refused to certify Burris' appointment, that in itself would look tainted.

The sad fact is that anyone, from either party, who rises to power in Illinois probably has something to hide. Whoever gets appointed to fill Burris' seat, if that happens, will be under intense scrutiny, and they'll find something. It may not be connected to the Blagojevich thing, but people just don't rise to the top in this state without getting dirty. That's the way it is here.[/quote]

This is not a confidence builder in the President that came from Illinois :shock:
 
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