Burris: Jimmy Carter Wants Me To Be Senator (VIDEO)

Saying that it will be only a "very short" time until he has the opportunity to serve as the junior Senator from Illinois, Roland Burris added a new wrinkle into the evolving drama over his political fortunes Monday.

He has, apparently, the endorsement of former president Jimmy Carter.

"This morning, I had a great meeting with Majority Leader [Harry] Reid and Majority Whip [Dick] Durbin," Burris told reporters on Wednesday. " And in that meeting we discussed quite a few things. But I had an important phone call before I went to that meeting, and that phone call was from my friend, former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter."

As Burris tells it, Carter got on the phone and said, "When you are in the Senate, Roland, you will make a great senator."

The Georgia Democrat isn't the only one growing more optimistic about Burris' career. Earlier on Wednesday, Reid and Durbin met with controversial governor Rod Blagojevich's appointee and sounded a much more positive tone concerning his chances of taking over Barack Obama's seat. The two Democratic leaders said they would withhold judgment on the best course of action until the Illinois Secretary of State signs a certification of Burris' appointment and the Illinois House convenes impeachment hearings concerning Blagojevich.

Once that is settled, Burris said, "We will proceed then to submit our documentation to the Senate ... This will go to the rules committee, they will then assess it and let me know what the outcome is."

Asked whether he had assured Reid or Durbin that he would not run for reelection in 2010 -- a precondition that would satisfy Democratic concerns that Burris would be a poor candidate in a general election -- the former Illinois Attorney General said such talk had no factual bearing.

"This wasn't even on their radar screen, they hadn't even brought it up," he said.

As for whether he would run for reelection, Burris responded that such a decision was far from his mind.

"Let me get my Senate legs under me and get in and raise some money to pay for all this stuff," he said. "Get in and get settled and first learn where the bathrooms are."

Comments

[carnelld]

Roland Burress is 71 years of age. Mentioning Jimmy Carter ,for people 50 years and older , was an intelligent thing to do. Burress was in the forefront politically of an era when Carter and other civil rights/human rights advocates led America out of the some of darkest days of of racial discord. Although Carter was from Georgia, in order to win on a national level, there were leaders like Roland Burress, leading the way in states accross America. Those were the people Carter depended on and he saw what was happening to Burress by the Democratic leadership and the MSM, and wanted to help an "old warrior". I realize that is a concept that many posting on this web site will not understand. The signal sent across the USA ,by mentioning Carter, was to let those involved in progressive politics know that an "old warrior" is still around and is still willing to join the fray. Let there be no mistake about it, Roland Burress has been through the wars.

[valex]

Thanks well said.

[DoTheMath]

Just look at that wording: "When you are in the Senate, Roland, you will make a great senator." Why would anyone say that? When else would anyone make a good senator? What did President Carter really say?
a. Roland, you will make a great senator.
b. Roland, you would make a great senator.
c. If you are accepted into the Senate, Roland, you will make a great senator.
d. Roland who?

[CharlesJ]

Burris is in the lime light.. which he is enjoying very much... its all about ergo my ego, stroke it if you will but if you will not I will do it myself. Cant you see, I am important, read my headstone as it already speaks to my greatness. This is what I do not like about this man; he ego is so huge that it causes me to question the level of his integrity. Which in turn causes me to question the whole appointment. Is it really with out tarnishment, is it clean and clear? Was some sort of deal made, or was one implied in any way shape or form. I personally would watch any leglislation Burris votes upon, and if it benefits Blango any way further down the line? I just do not trust this whole situation, but who cares what I think as I do not live in Illinois and the whole thing will not be my problem if my gut feeling prove to be true.

[DianeTreehugger]

First god, now Jimmy Carter? Too bad the ELECTORATE never wanted you, Burris, as I recall from multiple attempts on your part for various offices while I lived in Chicago. Someone who wants a job so badly that he will take the offer from dirty hands is not anyone who deserves the seat. Please give him an office in the loo. It's where he belongs.

[GeorgeP922]

You know, for all the smack that people have been talking about Illinois and their voters.

Got to give them respect, they rejected this silly man 5 times!

[valex]

Maybe the sixth time is the charm....who knows

[JJ30]

I think he just needs to settle down right now and stop having these meaningless press conferences. All these conferences do is make him look like a desperate old person who wants the limelight. UGH!

[GeorgeP922]

Can someone tell me what drugs the Illinois Delegation is on?

What is about Blago and Burris that make them lovably goofy?

I mean really, what kind of smoke and mirrors does one have to do to get a vote in Illinois?

Please, keep the primaries in Iowa!

[Euranya]

This is just another reason for me to love Jimmy Carter. The Senate Democrats, not Burris, handled this badly. Like a bunch of adolescent mean girls, they ganged up on the very person whose votes they will surely need this year and used the lame excuse of guilt by association to do so. We should thank Democrats like Jimmy Carter and Diane Feinstein for breaking with the crowd and doing the right thing--supporting Burris being seated.

[GeorgeP922]

Thank Diane Feinstein?

Why for applauding EVERY appointment Bush made?

For defending the use of torture and illegal wiretapping with her neo con buddies?

Jimmy Carter has NOTHING in common with Dianne Finestein, so please don't ever smear a good Democrat like President Carter.

[dlvme2]

The fact remains that he was appointed by a man that because of the illegal things he has been accused of should not have appointed anyone and if Burris really had good intentions he would have refused the appointment by Blago and insisted on waiting, but he jumped on the bandwagon which causes him to lose all respect in my eyes. It is as if he and Blago are just pushing everyone to see how far they can go and whether he is without fault or not - none of this seems right and should not be allowed. Blago was told over and over that who he appointed would not be allowed. All of this just cheapens the seat.

[bygollymissmolly]

So, tell me this. Do you know for a fact that Burris didn't pay Blago anything to get this appointment? If you knew he did pay Blago something would you still want him appointed?

A lot of people here are missing the point. And that point is that we may never know what Burris paid to get the appointment. Since Blago was selling the seat, what is there to make us think that Burris didn't pay him (or will be paying him sometime in the future) for the appointment?

[LaurettaK]

Lest we forget, we are still a country of Laws. The governor hasn't even been indicted. The Illinois legislature dropped the ball in failing to strip him of the power to appoint. He has the legal authority to do it, and he did it. I am a little disgusted by the Senate Democrats who thought they could set aside law and procedure because of a mass rush to judgment. If you are going to bar a Senate appointee to the seat, you better come up with a better reason than the governor who appointed him is a jerk with a bad haircut.

[Euranya]

Bygolly,
Do YOU know for a fact that he DID pay for this appointment? Talking about accepting money for an appointment and actually DOING it are two different things. The concept of innocent until proven guilty should mean something to all of us, even in this case. Anyway, Illinois can't wait for a court case to play out to have two senators.

[changeme09]

i heard $14,000 bucks

[Dupree]

To: Euranya:

I agree with you wholeheartedly. It was the Senate and NOT Burris that acted unprofessional and tried to skirt around the law. I am sick of this "guilt by association" ploy and the American public needs to grow up and stop encouraging our politicians to act like spoiled children when they don't get their way. Blagojevich..."punked" the Reid and the entire senate. This was a brilliant political move on his part whether you like him or not...it WAS! Everyone was walking around calling this man insane and insisting that he needed medication...and he in fact was a masterful politician of the old machine. I do not know if Blagojevich is guilty of the charges of which the attorney general has YET to charge him with...but I will reserve judgment and extend the innocent until proven guilty clause to him. As far as Burris is concern...it seems that now in America ..you personally do not have to commit a crime to be called out of one's name and ascribe guilt to that individual. Burris is an ambition man...and last I checked...it is NOT a crime.

[bygollymissmolly]

Oh god, we are going to have to put up with this glory hog for how long?

[KillTheMessenger]

Six years, isn't it?

:-)

[KillTheMessenger]

Ooops... thank God it's only for two... phew... I made myself a little too nervous over this one. Still... two years of Burris the Clown. He could team up with Inhofe the Ignorant... they have about the same amount of ego and brains. But at least Inhofe is elected, so one can at least blame his voters for this human disaster.

[Batwoman]

How is he a clown when he has earned 2 PHDs?

[lizziekw]

I have nothing but love for President Carter. Still, Burris never should have accepted the appointment. Since he did, he should be quiet and let those who wish to help him, help him. He's not helping himself.

[Culturemaven]

Oprah's endorsement can't be far behind. Once he's got that, he's golden.

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

Please Oprah's Endorsement has already been elected president; I don't believe supporting Roland the clown is in her future.

[BoboPalinski]

A couple more post-Xmas presents under my Christmas tree. Jimmy and Barack want Burris!

[KillTheMessenger]

Burris is a clown. He surely behaves like one. What a sad replacement for Senator Obama. From riches to rags... actually less than that. The man is naked.

[GeorgeP922]

It is a shame.
I feel for Obama and Illinois, big shoes to fill, and sadly they filled it with the worst candidate possible.

Hopefully Burris is a wakeup call to the DNC and now the DNC will focus on getting progressive victories in blue states like Illinois and Maryland.

[chicagoike]

I would love to see Burris seated. That way we never ever, ever have to hear his voice again, I'm real tired of this guy and the way he went about getting this appointment.

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

That won't end it this embarrassment will find away to continue to put on this circus.

[bygollymissmolly]

Absolutely. Burris has proved himself to be a glory hog. He's not in this to help the people of Illinois. He's in it for the ego boost and for the power it will afford him. The people of IL are going to be living with this mistake for at least another year.

[scorpioleidy]

First, it was "ordained by God" and now Jimmy Carter? I support your appointment b/c we need a second senator in IL right now ... but I'm not sure now if I'll vote for you in 2010. Be cool with this nonsense, man!

[fem56]

Perhaps we need to separate the message from the messenger. Even though Blago is corrupt doesn't mean that he didn't make an excellent pick, Burris

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

WHAT???????????????????????

[GeorgeP922]

repub trol z, its called reverse trolling, go on public sites and pretend you are from the other side.

this style of trollery was perfected during the Democratic Presidential primaries.

[bygollymissmolly]

And how is the egotistical, opportunistic, glory hound Burris an excellent pick? There are people in Illinois who are way more qualified than Burris. But, they all used good judgment and showed good ethics by not lobbying for the job and/or turning it down when it was offered to them.