Chris Matthews from Hardball destroys Roland Burris (Video)

Roland Burris, don't go on television ever again, interviews are NOT FOR YOU.

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It is over for Roland Burris!! (Video)

The man needs to STAY AWAY FROM THE CAMERAS!!



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Roland Burris "BEGGED" for Obama's seat....

and promised to do something for then Governor Blagojevich to get it.

Uh-Oh!!!! Burris tapes are out!!!

Transcripts from a call taped by the FBI show Sen. Roland Burris pleaded to be appointed to the U.S. Senate and promised to "personally do something" in response to a fundraising appeal on behalf of then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The promise came in a phone conversation with Blagojevich's brother, Robert Blagojevich, who led the campaign fund. Burris repeatedly says how much he wants to be appointed to President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

In response to an appeal for money from the governor's brother Burris says: "I will personally do something."

The transcript was released Tuesday as part of a motion by the U.S. attorney's office. The U.S. Senate ethics committee is investigating how Burris got his seat.

Burris has been under intense scrutiny since he was appointed by the now-ousted governor at the end of December, and for changing his story multiple times about whether he promised anything in exchange for it. The ethics committee began a preliminary investigation into how Burris got his job, and the Sangamon County State's Attorney was asked to determine whether perjury charges were warranted.

And the senate is airing his dirty laundry, the well hidden dirty laundry.

Source

Burris wiretaps with Blago's brother to be released

Depending what is on the tape, it could be damaging for Burris. As we know, Burris came into this seat under a cloud of scrutiny by being selected by the now kicked out of office former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

My take, the tapes are damaging and will only put the final nail in Burris' coffin not to even think about running for Obama's seat in 2010.

A federal judge said Tuesday he would allow the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee to have a federal wiretap of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother having a phone conversation with U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.

The conversation between Burris and the former governor's brother occurred while Blagojevich was still governor and before he named Burris to President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

Burris has been under intense scrutiny because of the circumstances of his appointment by the disgraced former governor and for changing his story multiple times about whether he promised anything in exchange for the appointment.

The Senate Ethics Committee has begun a preliminary investigation. The Sangamon County State's Attorney is determining whether perjury charges are warranted.

Source

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Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) tells Senator Roland Burris (D-IL) to resign (Video)

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It has been one for Senator Roland Burris

Burris has withheld information about fundraising for former embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich. He has changed his story quite a bit, but now we know that he DID seek to raise funds for the former governor at the request of his brother, while seeking Obama's senate seat.

I stood up for Burris getting this senate seat, not because I believe he could win in 2010, I stated that I believed he could not, but because the process was legally right. Though many of us did not like Blagojevich picking a senator, it was his right at the time to do so, since he was not indicted nor convicted of anything. It stunk of high heaven, but the law is the law and the senate in D.C. had to deal with it.

Now this. What Blagojevich did was criminal for the Democratic Party and State of Illinois, but what Burris did to get this seat is equally as bad. Burris stated that he did not participate in no 'quid pro quo' but now he has revised his statement several times since this story broke Saturday. Should an ethic investigation commence? At this point, who cares? The damage is done. One thing we hoped that Burris was bringing to getting seated as the junior senator was closure of this mess, but more importantly his name and credibility being clean. It is not.

The race for President Obama's seat is wide open. And will the Republican candidate win? Who knows, but for a once safe seat for Democrats has gone to a tossup with a bunch of hotmess attached all over it.

Burris heads for Ethics Committee, damn it did not take Harry Reid long AT ALL.

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Senator Roland Burris' Trainwreck Presser (Video)

Continuous swirling of this seat. An affidavit was leaked over the weekend that Burris was asked for a campaign fundraiser for former Governor Rod Blagojevich by his brother. Now the Republicans wants Burris to resign or investigation to perjury.

Again, this seat is up for grabs in 2010, no matter who was appointed to it.

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Roland Burris may be done.

Everyone watched the absolute moxie of former Governor Rod Blagojevich as he named Roland Burris to assume Barack Obama's senate seat. Through all of this Burris stated he did not get this seat for favors, but oh-no it seems a document revealed that Blagojevich's brother did ask Burris for campaign fundraising before Burris was named the junior senator of Illinois.

This puts Burris in a not favorable place. Burris stated that no favors were exchanged before the Illinois impeachment committee, but this disclosure may look contradictory.

I am one who would not vote for Burris in the primary in 2010, for one age is a factor for me, as Burris is 71 years old. Burris is contemplating running in 2010, which is fine, but I think it will be a large haul. Since this seat is riddled with controversy, this disclosure does not help Burris.

I still state, legally what we knew then, Burris should have been seated but retaining his seat in 2010 is going to be very difficult.

Raising fresh questions about his appointment to Congress, Sen. Roland Burris admitted in a document released Saturday that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for campaign fundraising help before the governor named Burris as Illinois' junior senator.

The disclosure reflects a major omission from Burris' testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other aides to the now-deposed governor about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. read more here

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Roland Burris sworn in as the Junior Senator from the State of Illinois

About Time, Thank God, We've Moved On, AMEN....

That Burris drama was too much, finally an end to the drama.

Again, Harry Reid, "Pick the battles you can win, not the ones you will LOSE outright."

Burris was sworn in Thursday by Vice President Dick Cheney and seated without objection or a vote initially promised by Majority Leader Harry Reid. Then the senior senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, was throwing a reception in Burris' honor.

Source

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Roland Burris will be sworn in by the end of the week

It is being reported, now confirmed by Durbin and Reid that the Senate will accept Burris' credentials and this damn saga is OVER.

The Roland Burris saga is over, as Democratic Senate leaders have accepted his credentials and will swear him in as the junior senator from Illinois by the end of this week.

The decision ends an embarrassing chapter in Democratic politics and allows the Senate to move on after the Burris spectacle dominated the opening week of the 111th Congress.

In a statement issued after a 45-minute meeting between Senate officials and Burris’ lawyers, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Burris is now the senator-designate from Illinois after the secretary of the Senate approved his latest credentials.

“The secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat,” the statement said. “In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment.”

“We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a senator-elect.

“Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the vice president to determine the date and time of the swearing-in,” the statement said.

I mean, really, the senate could not have this DRAGGED OUT during the Inaugural Celebrations around D.C.

Finally, this has been a pr NIGHTMARE for Harry Reid and Dick Durbin. Again, seating Burris takes this media spectacle OFF the table and relegates Blago's mess more locally than nationally.

It is about time someone in D.C. put on their "smart hats", for real.

Sun-Times

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SNL (Saturday Night Live), going after Blago and Burris (Video)

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Blago, Burris, White, Illinois, the US Senate it is all summed up here

Kagro X at Daily Kos, sums it up totally and here it is.

Blagojevich gets arrested.

The Senate leadership warns him not to appoint anyone to Obama's seat, and if he does, they won't swear him in, no matter who it is.

Blagojevich appoints Burris, anyway.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White refuses to sign Burris' certificate of appointment.

Harry Reid and Dick Dubrin say no way, and he's definitely not getting in without a signed certificate.

Burris sues to force White to sign.

The Illinois Supreme Court says White doesn't have to sign...

...but even if he doesn't, Burris' appointment is still legal, valid and binding under state law.

Dick Durbin still says no way. The certificate's not signed, and that's that.

So now, Jesse White says he'll sign -- at least something certifying that the Governor's document is official, if not the actual same document -- even though he doesn't have to and it isn't necessary.

This looks like absolute shit for everybody involved, with the possible exception of Roland Burris and Rod Blagojevich, which is astounding.

Politico agrees. But then Politico will agree with any "Dems in disarray" story.

Jesse White's certification

This sums up the saga in Illinois. Durbin and Reid need to get off their high horses and end this circus travesty. The law, as I have been writing, is on the side of Roland Burris, whether we like it or not.

Seat him and get this off the media table.

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Jesse White, IL Secretary of State has certified Burris

Ok, now seat Burris.

Following a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has certified Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate, removing a major roadblock blocking Burris' ascension to the body.

According to his office, White has signed a certificate saying that Roland Burris' appointment document is "true and accurate."

The move came just hours after Illinois' top state court ruled that White's approval was not necessary for a valid appointment to the Senate for Burris by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

What is the hold up now? Does Reid and Durbin now want to string this out and wait for the IL Senate to impeach Blago? That could take up to February. What is the excuse NOW?

Seat Roland Burris and let the circus leave D.C.

Source

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Dick Durbin, Bad Move Not to Seat Burris

The IL Supreme Court came down with its decision, "no signature required by the Secretary of State to seat Burris."

Now this is all about being mad at Blago and the predicament Blago played Durbin and Reid. And Blago did. He out foxed, out politicked them all in D.C., but it does not change the law.

Durbin can play hard ball all he wants, but expect more lawsuits from Burris, probably all the way to the Supreme Court. Let the court tell the U.S. Senate what they KNOW they should do, but refuse to.

And racism? How do we know? I mean, this is still the lily white, old boys network. Well, the majority of them and very few persons of color in those chambers. Is Burris a good pick? Yes, as far as no scandal, but for 2010 to run, no. Does the senate really want to continue the high drama circus? Is it worth it in the end? One word, NO. Seat Burris and Illinois find another candidate to run in 2010.

Dick Durbin just made a very bold announcement, in the wake of the Illinois Supreme Court decision that Roland Burris does not need the Secretary of State's signature on his certificate: As far as the Senate is concerned, Burris still needs that signature for his appointment to be legal and valid, and the seat will just have to stay vacant.

"At this point we've clearly reached an impasse," Durbin told reporters in Chicago.

Most legal scholars at this point believe the Burris appointment to be legal, and that an attempt to keep Burris out can be successfully challenged in court. But it's become obvious by now what Durbin's and the whole Democratic leadership's strategy is: Keep stalling on this thing long enough for Rod Blagojevich to be kicked out of office.

TPM

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IL Supreme Court States: White’s signature on Burris appointment papers unneeded

IL Supreme Court states Secretary of State, Jesse White's signature is not required by law. So, this means that it is back to the senate and Leader Harry Reid.

The Illinois Supreme Court this afternoon denied a writ of mandamus sought by Roland Burris to order Secretary of State Jesse White to affix his signature to Burris' U.S. Senate paperwork. The court said there is nothing in state law that requires White’s signature on the appointment document.

Source
Actual IL Supreme Court Ruling

Is this ever going to end?

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Roland Burris Press Conference (Video)

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Apparently, Obama has pushed to seat Burris

He should.

He is the leader of the Democratic Party.

After yesterday's circus, Harry Reid has egg on his face, totally.

The apparent decision to seat Roland Burris came after aides to President-elect Barack Obama contacted senior Senate Democrats and suggested that they reverse course and accept Gov. Rod Blagojevich's controversial appointment, according to a senior Dem congressional aide.

Just minutes after the decision to seat Burris was reported, Obama offered the veteran Illinois pol praise and promised a working relationship.

"That is a Senate matter," he said of the news. "But I know Roland Burris, obviously he is from my home state. He is a fine public servant, if he gets seated then I am going to work with Roland Burris like all other senators to make sure that the people if Illinois and the people across the country are served."

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Harry Reid, Dick Durbin on How the Senate will Seat Burris (Video)

There has always been a different take on "if or if not" the signature is required from the Secretary of State in Illinois. Jesse White came out publicly and said his signature is not required, today. Burris filed with the Illinois Supreme Court to make the decision whether White should sign the certification, or not. Expect a fast turnaround on this decision because this has become a mockery, and an eyesore on the Democratic Party Leader, Barack Obama. Burris will be seated.

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Get ready for Senator Roland Burris (Audio)

I have been writing about this, since this story hit the fan. Since I am from Illinois, grew up in Chicago and now in the burbs, this whole tawdry affair has turned into a circus.

Jesse White, Secretary of State in Illinois refused to sign Roland Burris' certificate for appointment. This is the excuse Harry Reid is using to not seat Burris. The problem is, as reported, the certificate does not need to be signed for an appointment and once the information got out that Harry Reid phoned White not to sign it, anger crept in the African-American community.

It is not that this community is crazy about Burris, it is mostly split and would prefer someone else, the issue is how this has been handled and the law. Jesse White was on WVON-AM talk radio (Chicago) on Monday, Clifford Kelley's show and was plummeted about his participation in all of this and many threatened they would cast another vote for him. White is an old-school, machine type politician here in this state. This Secretary of State job is one he has been sitting on for many years, a cushy job, a machine type politics job. So, when you go on talk radio and can not answer questions like, "Is the signature required or not", you have problems. That is just what happened here. So, White goes on WGN-AM 720, talk radio, a station that is received throughout the State of Illinois this morning, and this comes from his mouth, "I've been made the fall guy":

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said this morning he has been made "the fall guy" by the U.S. Senate, which he said is using him as an excuse not to seat Roland Burris.

"They could have seated him without my signature; my signature is not required," he told WGN-AM 720's John Williams.

The Senate barrred Burris Tuesday, saying he lacked proper credentials in that his appointment was not signed by White.

But White said today that "my signature is mostly ceremonial, rather than a point of law."

"They played a little bit of a game with him [Burris] yesterday," he added.

Asked by Williams if he had been made "the fall guy," White responded: "You're absolutely correct."

Listen to the full interview, here.

Jesse White just cut Harry Reid to the knees. There is not a reason by law to not seat Roland Burris. Whether we like what happened or not, the law is on the side of Burris.

And of course, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) came out yesterday and said, "SEAT BURRIS". Burris has a meeting today with Harry Reid and the Senator Dick Durbin, senior senator of Illinois.

The likelihood that Burris, a Democrat, will eventually prevail and become the Senate's only black member after Obama's resignation from the seat, increased Tuesday evening when a key chairwoman got behind him, cracking what had been united public front by Senate Democrats against a Blagojevich appointee.

Burris was scheduled to meet with the Senate's top two Democrats — Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and assistant leader Dick Durbin of Illinois — on Wednesday, a day after his paperwork was rejected at the opening of the 111th Congress.

Senate officials in both parties, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for Senate members, said there is a growing expectation on Capitol Hill that the saga will end with Burris being seated.

Now can the media circus end and can Illinois Democrats get it together and get a solid candidate for 2010. This also relegates Blago to more of a local story, until any indictment comes down. This takes away the media circus and possible interruption on the Obama Inauguration. It means we can focus on what is really going on in this country which is the sour economy and loss of jobs.

At least, I hope so.

Source

And the AP is reporting Roland Burris will be seated today. I guess the Democratic "Powers that Be" Leadership finally got the message after the media circus, yesterday. Politico denies this will happen, but in the Reid/Durbin presser, it is no doubt that Burris will be seated and SOON.

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Countdown on Burris, "...this is the biggest clusterf*** since Monica Lewinsky" (Video)

The circus is now in D.C........

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