Burris To DC: "The Lord Has Ordained" This

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats struggled to avert a showdown steeped in race and corruption Monday as a defiant Roland Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" and flew to the capital to claim President-elect Barack Obama's old seat in Congress.

Even as he sought to pressure fellow Democrats, Burris signaled there were limits to his rebelliousness. "I'm not going to make a scene. I don't want to give you all a circus," he told reporters asking whether he intended to breach protocol by attempting to walk uninvited onto the Senate floor on Tuesday.

The 71-year-old veteran of Illinois politics was still en route from his home state when Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he would not be permitted to take his seat when other new lawmakers are sworn into office. Burris "has not been certified by the state of Illinois" Reid said, a reference to incomplete paperwork that barely begins to describe the dispute.

While Burris has not been accused of any wrongdoing, he was named to the Senate last week by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who faces charges of having attempted to sell the seat.

Senate officials said it was possible Reid would try and have Burris' case referred to the Rules Committee for review, a move that would effectively sidetrack the issue while the complicated political and legal situation in Illinois could be sorted out. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss possible developments.

Reid, D-Nev., had appeared to leave open the possibility of a compromise over the weekend after failing to persuade Blagojevich to leave the seat vacant. Burris is to meet privately on Wednesday with the majority leader in his office a few paces off the Senate floor.

Burris, who is black, downplayed the issue of race at a news conference before boarding a flight from Chicago to Washington _ even though supporters have given it prominence.

"I cannot control my supporters. I have never in my life, in all my years of being elected to office, thought anything about race," he said.

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He said repeatedly during the day that he is a senator, but in fact he is not and cannot be unless he is administered the oath of office.

Other controversy aside, Democrats privately expressed concern that Burris would not be able to hold the seat in a special election that must be held in 2010. Reid has denied that political calculations are involved, but one Democratic official suggested that one potential outcome would be for Burris to be seated and pledge to retire in 2010.

Burris sidestepped the issue at an airport news conference before leaving Illinois, saying, "I can't negotiate in the press."

The Illinois seat was one of two in dispute on the eve of the ceremonial opening of the new Congress.

In Minnesota, the state Canvassing Board certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning a recount over Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, but a legal challenge probably will keep that race in limbo for now.

Reid called Franken the winner _ in a claim that Republican National Committee chairman Mike Duncan swiftly rejected.

Despite losing several seats last November, Senate Republicans have the ability to block any quick attempt by Democrats to allow Franken to be sworn in, and an aide said Reid would not press the issue on Tuesday.

Reid and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky arranged an early evening meeting to discuss the two seats.

The uncertain Illinois script played out as a federal judge granted prosecutors more time to seek a formal indictment of Blagojevich, and state lawmakers marched methodically toward impeachment proceedings that could result in his removal from office. He was arrested last year and charged with trying to sell Obama's seat.

Blagojevich appointed Burris to fill take Obama's former Senate seat last week, defying the wishes of Senate Democrats who had warned that anyone he named would be tainted by association. His selection of the 71-year-old former officeholder instantly exposed rifts among Democrats, evident at a send-off Burris received in a Chicago church on Sunday night.

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., called the Senate "last bastion of plantation politics," and said blacks had been "excluded systematically for too long."

There were mounting legal complications, as well.

While Blagojevich has signed formal appointments papers, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has not, and Senate rules require that signature.

Burris, in turn, has gone to court hoping to win an order for White to sign the necessary paperwork, and has also threatened to sue to take his seat in the Senate.

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Associated Press Writers Deanna Bellandi in Chicago and Ann Sanner in Baltimore contributed to this story.

Comments

[jemiltd]

When we want something really bad, even if we shouldn't have it, we tend to use God as justification for continuing to pursue it. Because we want it so bad. The thing is, when God is actually involved things fall easily into place without drama. This is drama and God isn't the author of confusion.

[mlaiuppa]

The Lord ordained it?

Did Blago get a promotion?

[harriscrl3]

I really dont like this guy. But I suspect this will be a republican seat come 2010. HE actually said on Rachel's show that he is going ot run. Clearly he hasnt learned anything from Barack Obama I mean he was appointed and the first thing he did was play the race card and he thinks he is going to get elected 2010. He is even more delusional than Blago. At least Blago has some kind of mental defect this guy is a religious freak. I heard he named his chldren like George Forman did. Roland Jr and Rolanda.

Maybe he can team up with Palin's pastor and they can cast out witches from the US Senate.

Carol

[independent32955]

ok, as a Christian, this guy is a lost cause...you don't go around claiming the Lord has ordained something when your ordination came through possibly shady dealings and/or a governor who is under felony indictments.

burris is sounding more and more like the opportunist people were worried would get this appointment through the pay-to-play illnois political machine.

on the upside, obama seems even more squeaky clean to me now than ever before. but no, burris is never going to be seated as that state's senator.

[Owlygirl]

This is another one that needs to stick a sock in it. Jeezus! I knew it would only be a matter of days (hours) before the race baiting began.

I truly hope they don't allow this nomination to proceed. Burris needs to accept that extenuating circumstances are taking precedence over his HUGE desire to be seated. Hopefully someone will have the cajones to stand up to all the finger wagging and accusations Burris is preparing to toss out. The man should be ashamed of himself - but he's not. Do we really want a man like this in Washington? Another one I mean?

[seppoyank]

Illinois voter here--Burris has lost me. Obviously accepting Blago's appointment was an error of epic proportions, but I have had it with politicians declaring that the "lord" picked them.

I don't want this man representing me in the Senate. We need sane, rational people, not hyper-religious people who think they can justify their every action by saying that it is "God's Will."

P.S.
It is God's will that I write this comment and also God's will that Burris and Blago decide to care about what the people of Illinois actually need. Remember...the Lord told me that this is the right path and it must be right because I said so.

[iswideopen]

seppoyank:
I live in California and am African-American. I beg of you, please share your point of view to your fellow African-American communities, if you can. Roland Burris has no idea of the racial division he is causing. I despise him for this tactic. He is embarassing us as a people. He is so selfish, he can't even look forward at the "big picture", which is the problem; that "old thinking" and "old politicing".

[SinisterK9]

The reason there is racial division is because persons such as you seem to identify both him and yourself as black before you identify him or yourself as an American or a citizen or whatever. If he is acting like a tool, then just call it at that. Who cares what color his skin is?

[FaceYourFears]

He is not embarrassing me....maybe that's what you meant by the "racial division he's causing". At first I thought he should've declined the offer, until I heard Reid was against AA's filling the post.

[seppoyank]

iswideopen:

I'm not actually African-American, though re-reading my post I see why it is possible to think that. I don't want Burris representing me as a citizen of Illinois. I think he embarrasses _everyone_ by talking about his appointment being ordained by God. Ministers and kings are ordained by God--we have a democratic system of governance here and I think that politicians of every race need to stop dragging their God into it. It isn't a valid argument point because most politicians seem to think God wants them to win.

[Eyewideopen]

"Roland Burris has no idea of the racial division he is causing. I despise him for this tactic. He is embarassing us as a people. "

Speak for yourself. Roland Burris may be embarrassing himself and whether he's "causing racial division" is irrelevant and unimportant.

Btw, I don't think you are Black.

[Helzapoppin]

I spoke with the Lord this morning. . . . and he says Burris is full of sh**

[FaceYourFears]

Thou shall not use the Lord's name in vain.......

[Abby1]

I wish they would have forced a special election for this senate seat. Burris definitely seems qualified and has lots of accomplishments, but being appointed by Blago taints the whole process. The problem is Blago, not Burris. I hope that they can impeach Blago within the next few days. Burris needs to step back and keep quiet, otherwise he might tarnish his reputation.

[NotALib]

His reputation was tarnished the moment he accepted the appointment. He should have declined it and called for a special election and his reputation would be solid......but he screwed up.

[DofG]

Ambition can be an addictive-myopic- thing! And sometimes, one must understand that legality can sometimes be a poor substitute for wisdom!

[in4success]

any "ordained by the lord" platform should serve as an instant dis-qualifier. period.

[Skepticat]

I'm not religious but if I was, I wouldn't have much faith in any diety that ordained bad behaviour.

[weatherwaxx]

If Mr. Burris wants to be ordained, he should be in a pulpit, not the Senate.

The more I read of this whole circus, the more I think Blago is a Republican mole.

[carnelld]

Actually, we all should be in prayer and meditation. Any politician who would turn down an opportunity to become a U S Senator is not worth "salt".The Democratic Senate leadership has shown a lack of intelligence in this appointment. In addition to a lack of firm legal ground to refuse Burris, they also give the perception that race is an issue. Reid attempted to influence the Governor's appointment selection. On Meet The Press, he said he could not remember the specifics of his conversation. I find his explanation dishonest, and deficient. He allegedly supported Lisa Madigan to the Illinois Senate seat. Madigan, as you recall filed a bogus Illinois Supreme Court filing to strip Blago of his statutory powers before he could make an appointment. Based on the rule of law, her filings were denied by the courts. Reid, Madigan, Durbin, Obama, and other Illinois politicians knew Blago would not support their candidates for the seat. So, they quickly said they would not accept anyone Blago appointed. In the meantime, the Democrats have opened the door for the Republicans to not seat Al Franken from Minn. Burris+Franken= two(2) Democratic Senate votes the Democrats will effectively not have immediately, as they attempt to address the problems of the USA. All this has occurred after the Democrats talked about reaching sixty(60) votes in the Senate.The Democratic Senate leadership is pathetic, narrow minded and continue to play into the designs of the Republicans. Anyone want to join me in prayer?

[florestanchi]

No prayer. Just logic.

Many politicians "worth salt" would turn down an opportunity to become a US Senator... specifically, THIS opportunity. Some have.

Your abbreviated history of this controversy also omits what is arguably its most important episode: Blajo was caught on tape attempting to sell this Senate seat. So let's insert this sentence into your story and see what happens:

"Reid, Madigan, Durbin, Obama, and other Illinois politicians knew Blago would not support their candidates for the seat. BLAGO WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE ATTEMPTING TO SELL THIS SENATE SEAT. So, they quickly said they would not accept anyone Blago appointed. "

It reads somewhat differently, no?

[FaceYourFears]

Excellent post.....already praying!

[Mikepdx]

Please no more Jebus freaks

[macintoshsauce]

The Lord has ordained shite. This politician is a bloody insult to this country.

[CharlesJ]

I have no idea if anyone that is not human ordained this appointment; what I do know for a fact is that this appointment was made by a man that is swiming in a scandle of his own doing that will shed a very ugly light on IL politics for a very long time. Weither or not he intended to sell the senate seat for cash or special favorable consideration is debateable, however, if he was not trying to sell it and was in fact just talking trash, then he was stupid and should be impeached any way. Blango knew he was under a wiretap, so as I said he was just plain stupid or thought he was going to get over anyway. Burris should have refused the position that is for sure, it was and is wrapped up in an ugly scandle, which would only harm any one that was appointed/accepted an appointment.
I still believe Burris made some sort of deal for this, something about the complete disconnect between this mans eyes and words, it all spells corruption in the making if not already made.