Burris: "I Am The Solution"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Roland Burris, the man named by embattled Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich to Barack Obama's Senate seat, held a press conference in Chicago this afternoon before getting on an airplane headed to Washington D.C.

Burris, who called himself the junior senator from Illinois during the press conference, said he planned to sit down with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and tell him, "I'm here to take my seat." The new Senate session begins tomorrow.

"I feel I am the solution to the problem for the people of Illinois," Burris said. He said he did not need to separate himself from Blagojevich, who has been charged with trying to effectively sell the seat to which he named Burris.

The Senate Democratic leadership has vowed not to seat Burris or anyone else appointed by Blagojevich. The Secretary of the Senate, Nancy Erickson, today rejected Burris's certificate of appointment, saying it does not conform to a rule requiring it be signed by both the governor and the secretary of state. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White had previously vowed not to sign the certificate.

Burris, meanwhile, has been called to testify Wednesday before the committee considering impeaching Blagojevich.

The Blagojevich appointee enjoyed what the New York Times described as a "raucous sendoff" in a Chicago church over the weekend. You can watch video of that appearance here.

"[T]he Lord put his hands on the governor and said, 'this is the person that has to go to Washington,' and that appointment is legal," Burris said to hundreds of supporters assembled at the church. "That is all there is."

Watch part of the press conference below:

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by calgal4 January 6, 2009 1:50 PM EST: I''d be embarrassed to be appointed by a crook. Anyone seriously wanting the job is probably praying that Blago doesn''t appoint them.; Reply to this comment


by cattiej January 6, 2009 2:18 AM EST: Burris was not legally appointed to the Senate. He is an attorney??? Then why doesn''t he know that what he has done should be against the law, morally against the law. The Roland Burris is a joke and an air-head if he thinks the people of Illinois are going to put up with his nonsense. We will just impeach him along with Blago. They can go to prison together and then they can be "cell mates". We will see how much more grinning Burris does then. Like Jesse White says, we don''t care if he is black, white, pink or green. he isn''t going to be certified. The people of Illinois are commenting across the board NO Burris on all the Illinois websites that we have visited today. We here in Illinois say NO BURRIS NO BURRIS; Reply to this comment


by spinproof January 6, 2009 2:03 AM EST: Burris: "I Am The Solution"

I don''t think so! Lets review!
Roland Burris, the former Illinois Attorney General named by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the U. S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, is a lobbyist who has contributed over $15,000 to the governor''s campaign while also receiving contracts from the state of Illinois (pay to play?). The Friends of Blagojevich campaign organization Burris donated to is the entity federal prosecutors bugged for evidence that Blagojevich was putting Obama''s seat up for sale to the highest bidder. Roland Burris as a former Illinois Attorney General should be ashamed of himself for not recognizing that the crime Gov. Blagojevich is accused of involves the very Senate Seat he is claiming! If the complaint against Blago was unrelated to the vacant Senate Seat then I would agree with Burris and since its not and since Burris has even stooped to playing the "race card" to boot, in my opinion Burris is an embarrassment to Illinois, "Blacks" and clean government and himself.; Reply to this comment


by marcandanne January 6, 2009 1:52 AM EST: the man has no shame
There is no difference between him and Blago!! a man of integrity would have turned the position down considering all the contraversey sorrounding Blago! shame on you Burris! keep him out of the sanate!!; Reply to this comment


by besscannon-2009 January 6, 2009 1:25 AM EST: Where does all this arrogance and narcissism coming from? Is it because Obama got elected now, the blacks think they have everything coming and OWED them? I hope they stop Burris''s clock.; Reply to this comment


by cattiej January 6, 2009 1:13 AM EST: Burris has an ego bigger than Blago. We here in Illinois don''t want Burris is Washington, D.C. We voted 5 times to keep him out of office and HE LOST. Illinois citizens don''t want this blow-hard around. We don''t care was Rush says. Our General Assembly needs to nominated our next Senator. Burris gave $14,000.00 to Blagojevich campaign fund...that in itself should keep him out. Senator, close the door on the guy. If you think he trouble now, just wait & see him in action if gets in the door. Obama, Durbin, Jessie White all say no to Burris. Burris knew Blagojevich is under investigation and was arrested and the General Assembly of Illinois said they would NOT accept any nomination by Blowhard. Burris, you are an idiot to do this, you are just out for yourself.; Reply to this comment


by adfolder January 6, 2009 1:01 AM EST: Solution? What exactly is the problem?; Reply to this comment


by cbscrash072 January 5, 2009 11:53 PM EST: I don''t think the Democratic leadership has any say in the matter. The guy was legally appointed to the senate. The guy was appointed by a governor who has yet to be charged with anything. So its all nice and legal and there is nothing the democrats can do but refuse to allow him to cacus with them. I think it would be Fascinating if the republicans approached this guy and offered him some committee seats. This guy is no more tainted than Obama. At least Rezco was indicted.; Reply to this comment


by gonesouthern January 5, 2009 11:38 PM EST: By law it''''s his seat

Posted by popstom11 at 05:51 PM : Jan 05, 2009
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WRONG, He does not have any rights until ALL the paper work is signed off and he is sworn in and accepted by the Democratic leadership...
This will not happen I hope as my native state of Illinois noes not need a Rev Wright type in Washington !!!; Reply to this comment