Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
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.
And Illinois' Democrats could have stopped this crooked clown from appointing somebody, but have both actively chosen not to pursue a special election, and are dragging out impeachment weeks longer than it needs to take.
(Hat tip: a commenter in today's Open Thread)
UPDATE:
Video of the press conference:
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Shameless. Why hasn't he been impeached and convicted yet? What is taking Illinois Democrats so long?
No one should be surprised by this. GRod has always done what he wants. The only way he can be stopped is to remove him from office.
(I wouldn't be shocked if Burris is seated in the US Senate, no matter what they have said so far.)
Didn't Burris have his own ethical lapses during his tenure in Illinois government?
From a political point of view - nice touch by Rod. He gave the job to someone who can be counted on to fill the seat for two years - to a "downstater" who has ties to Chicago and the Democratic Party - and who may well be seated - and he is still within his powers as a governor.
Greg Novak
Oops, I must have been incorrect in my reccollection of Burris' tenure since Emil Jones endorsed him as Obama'a replacement. We all know Jones always does what's best for our state.
I agree with IP, this whole circus could have been stopped cold if Democratic leadership would have stepped forward and stopped it. The local Democratic leadership has barely commented on this whole mess. Of course they have joined the chorus of "impeach him" or "should resign", but have they put any pressure on Senate or Houe leadership to get this done? Not likely because of their need for continued campaign fund assistance in the future.
Blago is the most narcissistic person I have ever seen. This announcement is only about him, and him only. Blago is trying to assert his authority in complete disregard of the people of Illinois. Blago has so many other things on his desk to sign or pass, why does he have to put up this big of a fight? This Burris person is merely a pawn in the big game for Blagojevich. Apparently this guy doesn't have the sense to run not walk away from our wonderful governor.
Am listening to the press conference now - Congressman Bobby Rush is endorsing Roland Burris's appointment - so the sides are going to be chosen now - as by putting Burris in Blago gets to block Jesse Jackson Jr. while making the entire appointment one of race
Greg Novak
Did Bobby Rush lend credibility to this appointment, or renounce his credibility? Regardless that press conference was painful to watch. Immediately the press started noting big dollar donations of Burris to Blagojevich. Then throwing out an inferred pre-emptive race card to opponents?
On top of that, I couldn't help thinking in the back of my mind when Burris started referring to his previous wins... all of his more recent election losses... and wondering who his political consulting firm has been consulting? Illinois Republicans? :-)
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Glock21 Op/Ed
I have a question. Why is Burris, or as Quinn says, any appointment, to be automatically rejected? What if Blago appointed Glenn Poshard, or Jim Edgar, or Tim Johnson, or Cardinal George? All could be considered qualified people, just like Burris.
Isn't Quinn getting very unseemly leading the charge to toss Blago so he can take over and make the appointment?
Blago is a scummy guy, but Burris is not. Isn't getting the job done, appointing a qualified individual, the important thing? If he had appointed some hack, or some insider, or some pay-to-play guy, that's one thing, but why should Blago's taint be so all reaching? It is an appointment method defined in the US Constitution.
It doesn't make sense, and this mob mentality is almost as bad as what Blago has done.
Accepting the nomination is self-serving at best, potentially aiding Blago in yet another of his own self-serving stunts at worst. Accepting the nomination, by anybody, Burris included, is pretty blatant evidence they have little interest in representing the people of Illinois as much as benefiting themselves. Burris may have had a good reputation before this, but instead of helping it he's effectively tarnished it. Blago and Bobby putting opponents to this move (ie nearly everyone else in his party and the people of Illinois in general) in league with racist lynch mobbers has turned the appointment from audacious to a mockery.
Burris has volunteered to become an extension of Blago's bleeping middle-finger to the entire State of Illinois. The heal dragging by the GA to throw Blago out may have made it possible that bleeping middle-finger will continue to waive for at least two more years.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Looks like Blago found his Mother Teresa after all - and make this into a national issue that is going cause some rifts in the Democratic Party.
Look for lots of actions in the courts - state and national - as well as from the new President once he takes office - will the 82nd Airborne be sent to Illinois to deal with Blago - under that little used clause in the consitution requiring states to have democratic goverments - whatever that means
(yes I know that is not very likely but if we got rid of an inept leader in Bagdad - why not Springfield???)
I wonder if Jesse Whte just may end up as the new Senator from Illinois once the smoke clears
Illinois politics - just when you thought it could not get any stranger
Greg Novak
Joking aside, the Constitutional guarantee to the states of a republican (form not party) government wouldn't apply here... we (ie the State of Illinois) actually elected this clown in spite of all the warnings. Getting exactly what we (ie the State of Illinois) deserves. A national embarassment entirely of our own making.
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Glock21 Op/Ed
Burris is scummy because he doesn't have the class to refuse the nomination. What some politicos wont do for " face time".