Roland Burris Stakes Claim To Senate Seat: 'I Am The Senator' (VIDEO)

CHICAGO - The man who embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich named to fill a vacant Senate seat says he hopes legal details regarding his controversial appointment are worked out soon.

Roland Burris told WLS-TV in Chicago on Sunday that he isn't ruling out going to court to press his case for claiming the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Burris maintains he has nothing to do with the corruption investigation surrounding Blagojevich.

Blagojevich has denied wrongdoing.

Senate Democratic leaders say they'll reject any appointee named by Blagojevich but Burris says he still plans to go to Washington on Monday to claim the seat.

Before heading to Washington, Burris plans to speak Sunday evening to Chicago ministers and his supporters.

---

In an appearance on NBC Chicago's "City Desk" Sunday, Burris declared flatly "I am the Senator." Burris also discussed how Gov. Blagojevich approached him about the seat, his plans for handling the resistance to his seating in Washington and whether or not he will run for reelection in 2010 should he be seated.

Story continues below

advertisement

Watch (via Progress Illinois):

At a West Side church Sunday, Burris supporters reiterated their call for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to certify Burris' appointment to the Senate and for Democratic leaders to seat him:

Comments

[Las Vegas Jim]

RE: General Roland Burris

I strongly encourage the Senate, under your honorable leadership of Senator Reid, to welcome General Burris as the new Senator from Illinois. We have all heard of wild accusations against the Governor of Illinois, but this should not have any reflection on the impeccable credentials of the appointee to serve in the Senate. In November, the Senate gave high commendations and accolades to the former Republican Senator Stevens from Alaska who had been convicted of all seven charged felonies! Republican Senator Vitter from Louisiana had no negative sanctions even following his acknowledged 2007 involvement as a client in a prostitution ring! Republican Senator from Idaho also had no negative sanctions following his 2008 conviction relating to homosexual conduct in a Minnesota men"s room. The only difference is that Senator Burris would be the only African-American in the Senate and he is a Democrat. This would be an utter disrespect to the entire minority communities who worked so hard in November for change. Neither the Governor of Illinois nor General Burris have been convicted of any crimes, so there should be no legal lynching of General Burris. Why should the people of Illinois be punished to have only one Senator in this time of crisis? President-elect Obama will need the help and teamwork of the entire Congress. As a resident of Nevada, I encourage that General Burris be seated as Senator Burris of Illinois. Thank you.

[moAb]

Burris, you are not my senator. Your desires to be senator are suspect and you should be investigated. Stating that God has sanctioned you for the senate seat is ridiculous (as well as blasphemous). Your buddy Rush and his posse are the one's, along with you, that are playing the race card. Quit mau mauing and tell Blagoobavich you do not want to be his stooge (anymore).

[GravitonX]

The great thing about everyone turning on Burris is that he owes absolutely nothing.

[obelus]

I guess we are a long time away from the convention when everyone in Illinois politics was embracing in an impromptu group hug.

[carnelld]

After reviewing a replay of Meet The Press, I think the Democratic Senate leader(Reid) is dishonest and weak. America deserves better.

[jake106]

Anytime a state is able to tell the Federal Congress to "kiss my butt", I like it. The Congress has NO authority to deny this man his seat. I hope he jams it down their throat.

[Ladyrantsalot]

Everyone in the state of Illinois is appalled by this. What do you know about the state of Illinois?

[VOTER]

I agree.

Our nitwit Gov needs to resign so we can move forward with
business including naming a Senator.

[jake106]

They may be appalled, and I don't blame them, but Gov Blogovich is the only person legally qualified to make the appointment. Congress doesn't have a say in the matter, period.

And before anyone jumps me and tries to tell me I am stupid, I am well aware of the fact that the Governor could have called a special election instead. I said he was the only person who could make an appointment, I didn't say that it was the only way a replacement can be found.

[Right-turn]

Very True.

[XME]

Regardless of whether or not Burris is free of scandel regarding Blogo, something REALLY bothers me about Burris. I guess it's that he just seems to what the senate seat so badly that he acts entitled to it. I'm also very hesitant of anyone willing to accept an appointment made by Blogo. Seems he care far too much about what HE wants, over what is the ethical thing to do. Since the right thing to do (turning down an appointment made by Blogo, since it cannot be considered what's best for the state if they cannot trust his motives) might compromise his getting what he wants, seems Burris is willing to overlook the right thing to do. That alone causes me to feel he shouldn't get it. If he does, I hope the folks of Illinois don't re-elect him in 2010! He's clearly in this for himself, not for them, and his constant use of the "race card" is so disgraceful and makes a mockery of real discrimination. If he doesn't know better than that, he has no business being in the senate.

[Mahi Joe]

Burris is doing this just to fed his own pathetic ego. He knows that if an election was held for that seat he would not get the votes. He lost his last three attempts at running for office so this alone tells you that the people of IL (which I am one of) do not want this man in office in any capacity. Blago should have known better and he will never hold a political office in this State as long as he lives. Both, Blago and Burris are disgraces.

[shireenj]

I agree ... from Australia!!!!

[postman606]

Yes you are Dr. Faustus. Your soul will someday become due.

[Ladyrantsalot]

He'll lose if he runs in 2010. He had a decent enough reputation before all this, but now he is known as the politico who has taken Blago's side. He is Blago's man, helping to prop up a deeply corrupt governor in order to claw his way into the Senate. The 2010 election will probably coincide with Blago's conviction--and Burris will be strongly identified as virtually the only politician in Illinois to have played the seedy role of Blago's validator.

[sol 0303]

Things are starting to unravel, and soon the truth will come out.

Let's assume that what Fitzgerald has got on the tapes is true. Part of the contents has already been released, btw. In one of the conversations, Blago says something like this (paraphrased): "I'm getting pressure not to appoint [Candidate5]....."

Where was Blago getting this pressure from? I doubt he was getting it from BO. Harry Reid can deny it, but this seems to confirm the pressure was probably from Harry Reid. Time will tell.

[easarsfield]

Pressure probably from A LOT of people. Not everyone is fond of JJ Jr., including myself.

[chicagoike]

Talk about living in Howdi Dody land. Burris are you hard of hearing, Sen Reid does not like you.

[easarsfield]

oh good lord. The west and south sides? Do we think Burris is trying to cater to the African American crowd at all? QUIT PLAYING THE RACE CARD.