Race Card Dealt Into Blagojevich Scandal

Supporters Of Roland Burris' U.S. Senate Appointment Say Race Trumps Controversy

(CBS/AP)  The issue of race may become a complicating factor in Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's controversial appointment of former state Attorney General Roland Burris to the vacated seat of President-elect Barack Obama - the same seat the governor is accused of trying to sell.

The move has been widely criticized by Senate Democrats and the Illinois secretary of state said he would not certify the appointment of the 71-year-old Burris, the first African-American elected to major statewide office.

But proponents of the appointment say the Burris' potential spot as the Senate's only African-American trumps concerns about the scandal-plagued Blagojevich.

"The recent history of our nation shows us that sometimes there can be individuals and there can be situations where you have officials standing in the way of schoolchildren," Illinois Rep. Bobby Rush told CBS' The Early Show Wednesday. "And I'm sure the U.S. Senate doesn't want to see themselves placed in the same position."

Rush, a Democrat, said opponents of Blagojevich's appointment "need to take a chill pill," and insisted that Illinois residents "should not be denied representation," in a Senate that will likely vote on Obama's immense economic stimulus package in the coming months.

On Wednesday, Burris asked a court to force Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment to the Senate seat.

The move is the start of legal wrangling over the seat and comes after White rejected Blagojevich's proclamation naming Burris to the Senate.

White said he wouldn't sign off on appointments by Blagojevich.

Fifty members of the U.S. Senate Democratic Caucus have signed onto a letter chastising Blagojevich for taking this defiant step, reports CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers. And Mr. Obama came out in opposition the move.

"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. I agree with their decision," the president-elect said in a statement.

But Rush dared Senate Democrats Tuesday to block Roland Burris' appointment, urging them not to "hang and lynch" the former state attorney general for the alleged corruption by his patron, Blagojevich.

"The real political tragedy, the real … moral issue that we face is why in the U.S. Senate there [are] no African-Americans. There are two Asians, three Latinos, 11 women, no African-Americans. Something is really, really wrong with that," Rush said on The Early Show.

After Rush's Tuesday comments, the racial aspect of the appointment became a central factor.

"Bobby Rush ... didn't play the race card. He dealt the whole deck," said CBS News political analyst Jeff Greenfield.

For his part, Burris said he was "humbled to have the opportunity" and promised citizens he would "uphold the integrity of the office and ask for their continued confidence in me."

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Listen to Roland Burris' interview with CBS station WBBM in Chicago

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Democratic state Rep. Monique Davis of Chicago, a member of an impeachment committee considering Blagojevich's fate, said Burris' appointment will have no bearing on its decision.

"Anybody that wants to put the race card in there, they're playing with the wrong group of people. We're not going to operate that way, we're not going to deliberate that way, we're not going to say, 'Oh, look what a good thing he's done.' We're not going to do it," Davis said.

Burris told CBS News he wont create a scene but he fully expects to be sworn in next week as Mr. Obama's successor.

Senate Democrats said that won't happen, and both sides are ready, if necessary, to fight it to the Supreme Court, reports CBS News correspondent Wyatt Andrews.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald filed a motion seeking a 90-day extension to return an indictment against Blagojevich because "multiple witnesses" had come forward in recent weeks and and investigators have to review "thousands of intercepted phone calls."

"I don't think it's particularly significant that the U.S. Attorney's office has asked for an extension," writes CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "It's clear that new information about the case is coming out and remember, too, that there was a rush to bring the charges against Blagojevich to help ensure he didn't complete any of the bribery schemes he is alleged to have started."

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 after federal prosecutors allegedly recorded conversations in which he discussed appointing someone Obama favored in exchange for a position in the new president's Cabinet or naming someone favored by a union if he got a high-level union job.

The governor has faced a flood of calls for his resignation, and the Illinois House has begun impeachment proceedings. He maintains his innocence, and has vowed to stay in office.

Illinois law gives the governor sole power to fill a Senate vacancy. Lawmakers considered stripping Blagojevich of that power after his arrest, but could not agree on legislation.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Democrats maintained that Blagojevich should not make the appointment because doing so would be unfair to Burris and to the people of Illinois.

"It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," the statement said.

"Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus."

Burris served as Illinois' comptroller from 1979 to 1991 and as the state's attorney general from 1991 to 1995. He also served as vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1985 to 1989.

More recently, however, Burris has had a string of political disappointments. He lost campaigns for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in 1994, 1998 and 2002 - the last time losing to Blagojevich. In 1995, he was badly beaten when challenging Chicago Mayor Richard Daley as an independent.

[nikosk11]

"The issue of race may become a complicating factor in Illinois"

Here we go again. If you can''t have it your way, blame the color of the skin.

[mizzerz]

"Race Card Dealt Into Blagojevich Scandal"

It would have been nice for someone to say something racist before Blago injected Race into his decision by his surrogates. It seems he can''t shoot straight. They should be aware of the story about the boy that cried wolf.

[texasbeta]

Reagan deserves to be blamed...you guys are still blaming Clinton''s bj on virtually all world ills. You Republicans are the people who were yelling, BURN THE WITCH in Salem.

[themajority1]

Because it will all happen on OBAMA''''S WATCH!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by txgrouch2008

He has a Mickey Mouse watch with the big hands.

[themajority1]

Mamsy pansie Blago the half-wit.

[alanrobisch]

Just a thought Rush, couldn''''t wait for some racial undertow before you started screaming racism. You should remember the story of the boy who cried wolf

Before the blago mess bobby rush was already calling for a black nominee.

[mizzerz]

It seems that saying that any negative attention paid to the Blago nominee would be because of race was a little premature. Just like all the political manipulation by blago. It was badly managed.

Just a thought Rush, couldn''t wait for some racial undertow before you started screaming racism. You should remember the story of the boy who cried wolf

[texasbeta]

Oh, ok, I knew you lived somewhere else, sorry I couldn''''t remember where...but you live somewhere obviously with allegiance to another country...if you lived back here in the United States, maybe you''''d appreciate our country and our freedoms some.

But once again, our Constitution keep us free! And I love living in the FREE United States of America, AND I WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMMUNIST PRESIDENT!


Rowdy - can you define communism? Additionally, if you are a true supporter of the United States, and as I recall you were griping about people not being American because they didn''t support Bush..then logic would state that by not supporting our current President, you are not a real American. You could be a Muslim terrorist for all it matters. The Constitution doesn''t state we have to have anything other than a 35 yr old, natrual citizen, elected President...can be Muslim, blue, Christian, black, have wings, can be socialist, a Mets fan, have 3 nipples, whatever...you only support the America that YOU think it should be. Therefore, you sir...are not an American. Go to RUSSIA, as you like to say...GO TO SINGAPORE! Either way, by your own definition...you are nothing more than a domestic terrorist in waiting.

[texasbeta]

Hey Rowdy...I think the words your crowd uses are:
LOVE OR LEAVE IT! Now, go enjoy some other country...as this one, is now OURS. LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!

[rillifane]

"I have no doubt he has the goods on blago."

Posted by alanrobisch2

If he did there would be no need for a 90 day delay. I suspect the prosecutor hoped that his grandstanding and a bit of trial by press conference would force Blago to come, hat in hand, begging for a plea bargain and with an offer to resign.

Now he has to put up or shut up and he doesn''t have a case. Not one single thing the prosecutor has released is sufficient to make a criminal case. If that is all he has then he has nothing and his arrest of the governor was garbage.

Understand that I have no use for Blagojevich but I have a great respect for the rule of law. No one has a greater duty to respect the law than a prosecutor. If he can''t convict Blagojevich he ought to resign or be fired.

[erasmus606]

Saddle sleaze is the MAIN cause of people falling off high horses.

Geez, that must be what happened to those Republicans, eh?

[alanrobisch]

The law being entirely on the side of the governor, except at it is misused by an out of control prosecutor, we now have the propaganda machine in full swing talking about the so called "race card" to characterize the actions of a governor acting in perfect compliance with the lawPosted by Rillifane at 08:31 PM : Dec 31, 2008

Nah he didn''t use the race card he just dared people to refuse his appointment because he is black. thats the race card. Otherwise I agree the governor had a perfect right to appoint him. I think he was a fool to take it but that s his choice and we have no idea why the delay if it really is one. I have no doubt he has the goods on blago. If they don''t indict him then the dems are going to have to stew in their own juices with a good chance the next senator and governor will be republican

[rillifane]

The governor made the appointment that the constitution and the law give him the unfettered power to make.

The appointee is legally qualified to become a senator and the Powell decision makes it clear that the Senate has no power to refuse to seat him.

The prosecutor asked for an additional 90 days to, in effect, put up or shut up therefore tacitly admitted he had no case.

The law being entirely on the side of the governor, except at it is misused by an out of control prosecutor, we now have the propaganda machine in full swing talking about the so called "race card" to characterize the actions of a governor acting in perfect compliance with the law.

[specialty8]

I never knew we invaded Saudi Arabia, must have been before my time. educate me.

[specialty8]

slownews,
You don''t think crashing planes into the towers,pentagon and PA, just to name a few did''t **** some people off. If not for that we would not be there now.

[specialty8]

slownewsdaze,
Bush did not start this,its been going on since the 70''s. We are infidels and they want to destroy us or convert us. That is their goal. If you feel so strongly about this go and talk to them about it. You could be their next video.

[roghil]

I don''t understand why everyone gets all personal on these things. This is about Blagojevich and his screw-ups not President-elect Obama or McCain or President Bush. And by the way the de-regulation of the mortgage system that was pushed by former president Clinton and his administration in 1998, that allowed people that did not qualify for loans to get mortgages, layed the foundation for the current economic crisis.
This article is about Governor Blagojevich getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Everyone, and I mean everyone, thought he should refrain from selecting anyone. He blew them off and now appointed his selection. The guy may have been the best qualified in Illinois, and he may not have been. He may have just been who Blagojevich thought might get him off the hook for a criminal indictment.
Everyone that is bashing anyone else or criticizing any other commentors on this BLOG is just making nonsense noise.

[chicagorail9]

Bobby Rush is a former chief operative of the Black Panthers in Chicago, and he is a Tool for the Democratic machine here.

NO ONE with an education listens to a single racist thing this fool spouts at the least provocation.


I am surprised Jesse Jackson Sr. hasn''t started to spout about the lynch mobs and schoolhouse doors being barred.


We here in Illinois know what''s happening - so leave us alone while we deal with our open Senate seat and rogue ''governor''.

[specialty8]

slownewsdaze,
what they will do to our soldiers? Lets see drag them through the streets, set them on fire, decapitate, and if they are lucky a bullet to the head.

[susanhelit]

Burris has just shown himself unfit for the Senate. To pull out the race card when it''s been made clear for the last several weeks that anyone, ANYONE AT ALL appointed by Blago would not be accepted, makes it clear that Burris is willing to lie, to abuse race and color, to gain power.

That might make him a fit compatriot to Blago, but no one we want in the Senate!