ABC News Claims Dems Racist For Barring Burris

Eric Boehlert highlights this astoundingly daffy statement from ABC News' David Wright:

"Not since Mr. Smith came to Washington, in that old Frank Capra film, has an idealistic senator appointed by a corrupt party boss been so unwelcome at the Capitol. But at least Mr. Smith got his seat," David Wright reported on ABC's "Good Morning America" Tuesday. "But it's also distinctly possible the scene will look more like 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?' The senators may seem out of touch, if this overwhelmingly white group refuses to admit the one and only black man seeking to join their exclusive club."

I think this analogy is out of touch. In the first place, it cannot be credibly argued that the Senate's exclusivity -- racial or otherwise -- is foundational to their decision to bar the appointment of Roland Burris. It was made very clear in advance that the Senate would refuse to seat even the most Caucasian of potential Rod Blagojevich appointees to the Senate. The fact that Burris happens to be "a black man seeking to join" the Senate is an irrelevant and coincidental detail.

I'd point out again that mere weeks ago, when the media was kvetching about the Obama transition team delaying their report on who had contacted Blagojevich and when, the pounding message coming out of the newshole was that Blago was corrupt to the core, and that any appointment made would bring taint to the door of the Senate. Now, the message has shifted: Blago is just doing his duty! What else could the man do? It's not Burris fault! And, indeed, Burris has repeatedly asked that his personal considerations be separated from Blagojevich's scandals. I think that the Senate could more credibly be separated from these shallow race-card concerns. Anyway, it's clearly the press that wants to position themselves on the "right" side of a racial issue that they've midwifed into reality, all of which neatly serves the ends of an Illinois Governor that everyone agreed was tainted beyond repair a fortnight ago.

Beyond that, I just think that the allusion to Guess Who's Coming To Dinner is unusually seedy. Clearly, the only impediment to Roland Burris marrying Katharine Houghton is her current husband, Ken Jenkins.

Comments

[quasar]

It would be just as racist to seat him simply because he is black. There's the rub.

[LADY2CNTX]

I believe that Reid advised BLAGO that he didn't want Jesse Jackson, Jr. and the other AA. Therefore, it will be interesting when the tapes are released. The public will be able to decide for themselves as it relates to Reid and his conduct.

The move was Unconstitutional with an undertone that will be determined when the tapes are released.

[swaggajonez]

As a black man please lets not call this racist. We all no this is political. If this man was white it would be the same situation going on. This don't look good for the dems, so lets get it resolved quickly.

[305Rider]

Unfortunately this is what Blago wanted to do when he made the appointment of Burris.

[shades3]

EXACTLY, 305Rider. The intention of the governor, IMO, is that if he is going down, he is going to take as many people down with him as he can.
Nobody is saying that Burris is unqualified. What he is is a convenient appointee that Blagojevich chose to use as a rock around whoever objects to his appointment. If the appointment goes through, Burris will never be seen as legitimate by some. If it does not, it will be seen as a slap in the face of the black community.
It is, either way, a f*&k you by Blagojevich. The only loser, either way, would be Burris.
That makes Blagojevich not just a money-grubbing sleaze, but a sleaze with even less sense of common decency.

[Irish55]

Absolutely. This was done to cause embarassment to the Democratic Party and by extension,Obama. After saying, through his attorney, that he wouldn't make an appointment, the Gov made one any way. To me, it doesn't matter whether he had the legal right to do so or not. He went back on his word. It smacks of someone who wants to flex his muscles - whether or not he should - just to show that he still can. Mr. Burris should know better. Why he would want this appt from this man I can't understand. Is he that desperate to be a Senator? This whole circus is ridiculous. And that show today was stupid. He knew he was going to be turned away - and yet he insisted on going anyway. Have some dignity, show some class and do it the right way Mr. Burrris. You said that this should be about the people of Illinois - well then prove it!

[dollardream]

amen.

[swo68]

Totally agree. Brilliantly demented.

[johnosahon]

but the fact is he wouldn't have this card to play IF it wasn't available to play it in the first play. when there is ONLY 1 minority in a club (the senate) cards are so EASY to play.

[Yarrr]

It's ABC/Disney, nuff said.

[JMBrodie]

Carpetbagging is carpetbagging. Mr. Burris, you should know better than to let Blago use you like that.

[sdskelton03]

It isn't carpetbagging, Burris lives in Illinois.

[majorteddy]

I haven't seen any black reporters at ABC that I can recall.

[LaurenMarie984]

well, they DID hire Whoppi on the View, so they can't possibly be racist (and Sherri Shepard, but no one can figure that one out - "I never gave any thought to the Earth being flat..."). Now, ABC/Disney hasn't cleared up that whole anti-semetic issue....

[dollardream]

nor at CNN, NBC, MSNBC, CBS. I mean, really, what the hell are we talking about here. Mr. Burris has allowed himself to be used. For someone who has been a player in Illinois politics for a number of years, he sure is getting played himself. If Bobby Rush wants to stand in front of a mike and rap on about the scarcity of African Americans on center stage in the America's political (and social) arena; I''ve got a more legitimate list for him to get hot and bothered about. Not seating Mr. Burris should not be about race. Period. The man who is trying to seat him was caught on tape trying to sell that very same U.S. Senate seat. Period.

Where the hell is Fitzgerald? Why release the tapes and arrest Blagojevich if you weren't prepared to take him down right then and there? Instead, the citizens of Illinois are left with a dishonest Governor that no one can unseat. He gets to appoint someone to the government seat that he's being accused of trying to sell. And, worst, the rest of us is being forced to watch this horrible play.

Right about now, Blagojevich is laughing his a** off.

[AbbieXHoffman]

It's not racist, it's just unconstitutional.

[GerryT]

It sounds racist AND unconstitutional?

[amdezurik]

Did the Ill SoS sign off on him? then he cannot have been seated. thanks for exposing yourself as a toll...

[marc1antony]

If it's not about race, why did Harry call Blago and specify certain "AA's" were not acceptable choices? That sounds pretty racist right there - Reid should not be meddling in state affairs - not that Blago is right, but Reid is no better.

[kadene]

Certain types of any race may not be acceptable choices. It is the appoinTER who's the problem and not the appoinTEE!

[DeniseD]

I agree. This would also be happening if Blago appointed a white guy. The U.S. senate said that they wouldn't seat anyone who was appointed by Blago, even before he appointed Burris, and they are living up to their word.

[DeniseD]

Reid is Mormon, what do you expect?

[VideoHammer]

Let me see, you are taking the word of the guy that was "alledgedly" taped, soliciting bribes to make this appointment, that Reid specifically told him no AA's. Brilliant!

[southsiderosie]

Because Reid is right - there is no way that Jesse Jackson Jr. or Danny Davis could win statewide office. Blacks CAN win statewide office - both Obama and Carol Mosley Braun make that clear - but Jackson Jr.'s family's wheelings and dealings make him a no-go, and Danny Davis doesn't have much crossover appeal outside of his base on the south side.

[HHarvey]

Can you send the link to that story? I didn't see that one.

[SangZe]

Get off it, ABC. The issue is not race.

[jacqmac]

Simply listening to reporters who KNOW Mr. Burris leads me to believe that he is NOT suited for the job. First of all, he is a SHAMELESS self-promoter. Secondly, he probably COULDN'T keep the seat when a regular election comes around. Thirdly, today's drama was choreographed to look like the Integration of Ol' Miss back in the 60's. James Meredith will be played by Roland Burris. Chancellor of Ol' Miss will be played by Harry Reid. HE KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. All the REST of the Senators sworn in today had the PROPER CREDENTIALS--pieces of paper signed by the GOVERNOR and SECRETARY OF STATE of their states. Al FRANKEN didn't show up for this melodrama today and it would seem he HAS MORE of a right to claim HIS SENATE SEAT than Burris has to claim HIS. By the way---NO ONE IS A SENATOR UNLESS OR UNTIL THEY ARE SWORN IN. Therefore, Mr. Burris's claim of being 'the Senator from Illinois' is BOGUS. ABC's hopping on the wrong bandwagon.

[Samalabear]

Amen to that.

[easarsfield]

I second that.

[chalo]

And I'll DOUBLE that "Amen!"

[LaurenMarie984]

I concur. Plus, look at Richardson who did the mature thing and stepped aside from his cabinet nomination because he didn't want any ongoing investigation (whether directly or indirectly involving him) to distract from the administration transition. Burris is completely irresponsible in his stubbourness because he knew up front what the Democrat's stance on the issue was. Plus, what is Burris getting out of this anyway? Obviously not political credibilit­y.....

[clearthinker2008]

I get a feeling they wouldn't be fighting so hard against it if he was white. They would seat him and wait and see what happens to Blags. Of course it's nothing I can prove, but what's with the guilt by association that was a problem for dems before being perfectly ok now?

[easarsfield]

please, enough. The senate democrats united in a statement that they would not seat ANYBODY appointed by Blago.

Blago did this on purpose as a big "up yours" to the senate.

[strangelet]

I got a feeling you're a Republican.

[HyperInfluential]

What on earth makes you think they would seat him if he were white? The senate told Blago in writing, weeks ago, that they would not seat anyone he appointed. He agreed not to appoint anyone, then went back on his word. There's no such thing as seating someone on a trial basis, that's why such care must be taken before they are sworn in. The checks and balances are there for us to use in this very situation, and they are thankfully being used for once.

[clearthinker2008]

I need to stock up on these "race cards" since whites seem we pull them out of our back pockets whenever we need them to get what we want. They just don't work for better schools, improved housing, jobs, fairness in sentencing, getting shot in the back, and respect. Besides, only whites seem to the judge about when one is used

[VideoHammer]

For Burris at age 71 to claim that he has NEVER thought about race, as a factor in all of his career is absolute BS. I went through the sixties, right through the Viet Nam era into the 70's, and that is fundementally impossible.

[scorpioleidy]

OMG - really? Really!

[AnnfromCA]

The race card doesn't bug me. The Latino contingency is trying to play it now, with the Richardson resignation, and I expect to see many more such moves.

It goes with the territory that we're now in, and I can't say that I disagree.

The race card works. It's an opportunity for minorities to leap ahead, and they'll end up where they should have been all along.

Women? Back to the back of the bus for now.

There is nothing but a negative card for women, from what I see.

But it's all OK. We leapfrog in real life.

[LaFilleEnRose]

So one can't stand up for a principle if an Afr American is involved? Get real. I think Reid has handled this badly -- like what doesn't he handle badly. But Burris has made this about race when it isn't. Like, is he the only Afr American that can be appointed? What about Jesse, Jr. And what about the Afr American who was approached first and turned it down. Hell, this isn't racism and ABC damn well knows it.

[clearthinker2008]

So one can't stand up for a principle if they are not the one under investigation? Blags hasn't been convicted of anything, has he? You ought to get real.

[HyperInfluential]

See me, I like to live in a country where the senators avoid even the appearance of impropriety, and understand that if people can't totally trust them, they should resign, even if they know they didn't do anything wrong, because that's what would be good for the country.