Burris Plows Ahead In Senate Bid
Exclusive: "I'm Qualified," Illinois Governor's Pick To Replace Obama Tells The Early Show
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Burris Hits Capitol Hill
Roland Burris, appointed by Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, may be excluded in today's U.S. Senate swearing in. Maggie Rodriguez talks to Burris about the validity of his appointment.
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Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, left, said Tuesday: "There's nothing wrong with Roland Burris and there's nothing wrong with the appointment." (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
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On CBS' The Early Show, Burris, who was selected to take President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat, dismissed his critics, saying his appointment by the scandal-plagued governor, Rod Blagojevich, is valid.
"They're causing the drama, my appointment is legal. Are you saying there is something wrong with me? I'm qualified," Burris, who was the first African-American elected to statewide office and was the former Illinois attorney general, said.
"There's nothing wrong with Roland Burris and there's nothing wrong with the appointment," Burris said.
In his defense, Burris, 71, pointed to Blagojevich's decision Monday to hold an election for a successor to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. Obama's chief of staff. Burris said it proves the embattled governor still has legal authority to carry out his duties.
"As I read the U.S. Constitution," Burris said, it says the "governor shall fill a vacancy, and as a former attorney general of my state, I have no knowledge of where a secretary of state has veto power over a governor carrying out his constitutional duties."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Monday that Burris cannot take his seat because he "has not been certified by the state of Illinois." Additionally, Senate Democrats say Burris' appointment is tainted because of the charges Blagojevich faces.
Burris has threatened to sue Senate Democrats if they do not swear him in as the chamber's only black member.
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For the past two years the Republiscum have labeled Harry Reid as a mealy-mouthed idiot... today he proves them right.
Whatanass.
My objection is that he will collect a senators pay check not only undeserving but for life, retirement included and just what did he do to earn this? When so many Americans are out of work and suffering from job losses. The Senate must get their act going if they want credibility with the American people and the world view instead of clown manship.
Ron Paul is a good example of this. He got azzraped by his own party because he''s a true conservative...not one of these biimbos like McCain/Palin.
Posted by peace4321 at 09:18 AM : Jan 06, 2009
Once seated, they can''t ignore his votes.
Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Posted by afmca at 09:16 AM : Jan 06, 2009
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Very true statement.
Buris is looking for his name in history NOT to truly represent the people of his state.
He is just another Rev. Wright in a suit and that is not what this state needs as a senator in Washington.
Posted by peace4321 at 09:18 AM : Jan 06, 2009
+
That didn''t stop the neocons like Cheney and Bush
These vacancies need to be filled by special elections. It does not matter what is politically correct, what matters is what the majority wants.
Posted by txgrouch2008 at 09:44 AM : Jan 06, 2009
With Burris'' record, that''s not likely and the Senate knows it.
Gee, I don''t see jessie and al calling out harry.
Oh yea, if this were a Republican THEN we would hear the outrage.
No double standard here. None at all.
You people are just beautiful!
Posted by Korak44
He''s cunning... that''s different!
Now, based on your innane post are you saying that since these guys are dems and the drama is unfolding as we speak, there should be no coverage?? Is that your point?
Are you one of those libs who really believes that none of your guys can be crooks?? Stay on task now.
As you have all pointe out, your side WON. Your guys are in the spotlight. So, when you shine a spotlight you see dirt. Deal with it.
As for you slam on Bush and Cheney and oil profiteering, do a bit of a search on diane fienstien and her hubby.They made a bundle on "war profiteering". Not covered here, do a search, if you dare.Seems she had to step down from one of her committee positions.
AND, why is dodd still in office?? What about his dealings with Countrywide?? Not covered here.
AND, how about queen nance''s PAC giving a big A contribution to her hubby''s investment company?? NOt covered here.
WAnt me to go on??
Gee, I don''''t see jessie and al calling out harry.
Oh yea, if this were a Republican THEN we would hear the outrage.
No double standard here. None at all.
You people are just beautiful!
Posted by Xlib
There has been plenty of outrage against Gov Blagojevich from the right and left! The question is NOT rather Mr. Burras is qualified to be a U.S. Senator, the question is does a governor under indictment for trying to sell the seat (among other crimes) have the right to fill that position?
You right wingers aren''t ''just beautiful!'', you''re ''just plain STUPID!''
Posted by : txgrouch2008
_____
The world is a safer place beause I have a gun.
The world is a safer place because YOU DON''''T.
Posted by txgrouch2008 at 10:57 PM : Dec 30, 2008
It is no small miracle that P-E Barack Obama was able to sidestep this poop slinging race baiting nonsense.
Bigots
Posted by txgrouch2008
Bush isn''t Hitler, he doesn''t even look like him. They do share some ideological similarity though.
Posted by cabbate3 at 10:19 AM : Jan 06, 2009""""
Are you seriously a LWNJ stooge moron, or do you just play one on PC?
Bigots
Posted by GOPHwy71
The only ones that seem to be making this about race are Republicans such as yourself......Have you read Pat Buchanan''s column today?
yes ... there''s something wrong with you.
here it is ... spoken very slowly ... ''you were appointed by a loser who was planning on selling the seat to the highest bidder''.
so roland ... you being appointed by a loser ... and accepting the offer from a loser ... makes you a loser too.
Posted by lightnin001 at 11:24 AM : Jan 06, 2009
And I suppose Bush''s little Iraq war isn''t a circus? Oh that''s right, it''s not your kids being blown to bits on a daily basis by US troops, so you don''t give a rat''s azz.
Posted by lightnin001
Of course, how many scandals would have trickled out of the maverick ticket of McCain/Palin by now if the shoe was on the other foot? Just yesterday we learned that Levi''s mother temporarily avoided arrest for political reasons seemingly tied to the governors campaign.
Posted by bobnjersey at 11:13 AM : Jan 06, 2009
Your definition of Governor of Illinois is interesting to say the least.
Yea, down with the blacks! What do they think, they are equals or something! You go skeeter4419! Keep racism alive! Yippeee
"He''''s playing the whole deck. He''''ll take the whole Democrat party down with him."
Wow, one smuck from Illinois is going to take down the ENTIRE Democratic Party? LOL, the do grow them dumb down there in Texas, don''t they.
That still smarter than you!~ Wait. What am I saying? A moron is smarter than you. "LOL"
He has a talent for saying moronic things such as "DEMOCRATS GOIN'''' DOWWWWWWNNNNNN!!!!" at a time when they are about to take the White House, the Senate, and the House. Is that going down in Texas? Something is very wrong with the person!~
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