Burris' Fate Could Be Decided Monday

The fate of Senate-appointee Roland Burris could be decided as soon as Monday, Democratic sources said, as the Senate's Parliamentarian and legal counsel worked over the weekend deciphering Senate rules to determine if Burris has met the requirements for admittance.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White cleared the main road block to Burris' appointment by submitting a new document to the Secretary of the Senate on Friday that contained both his signature and the official seal of Illinois, two elements which were missing from the official letter of appointment by Gov. Rod Blagovich, a Democrat, in December.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Freedomscap]

Illnois don't back no losers. Burris will be sworn in later this week.

Thank you very much for particiating.

[Freedomscap]

Are you guys idi0ts -- have you worked in a law firm and does the bio from the law firm, state everything -- please, that bio is purely marketing and you can't assume anything. And if you do assume anything you are a ..... (fill in the blank).

And focusing on this is too weird, anyway.

First, the suggestion that Howard Law School is not a good law school is equally re t a r d e d. Burris is 71 and blacks, for all intents and purposes, weren't even allowed to go to more name worthy law schools, back in the day and why don't you know that.

Heck, women didn't even become 50 percent of law school classes, until the 80s, when I attended.

Secondly, Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, one of the country's premiere justices, graduated from Howard Law School, because he was denied admission to the Univeristy of Maryland Law School, because he was black.

Anyone that doesn't understand the history of this nation, nor have respect for Burris, clearly is too young to respect older people, and/or doesn't have a Daddy or if, they do, he didn't do much of anything
to show you how to respect folks accomplishments.

[gladys46]

Gee, will we need to argue alot of ex post facto bs now ... what !!??

[Freedomscap]

Some poster is talking about on his bio on the law firm page he doesn't list he 2nd law degree or PhD -- HELLO.

That is way too silly. And then the same poster or another one suggested that Howard Law School wasn't good enough.

Pure silliness.

[gladys46]

Reports are that Burris will be seated, that the senate has accepted his appointment ! So, he will go to the senate floor to be sworn in but, but ... if there is an objection, the matter goes to the Rules Committee ! Wow !

[Freedomscap]

When one's touch feely, feelings and opinions, override the law, then we are talking: Bush and Cheney.

You wanna go down that slippery slope, you Democrats who are suppose to be liberals and progressives.

A bunch of phonies the lot of you, talking about opposing the law, by not seating Burris.

[Freedomscap]

67 percent of black folks in Illnois support seating Burris -- a poll indicates in the Chicago Sun Times.

In the meantime, Madoff's bail wasn't revoked -- he is 70, for goodness sake, as one pundit on MSNBC indicated.

But you want to talk about Burris' honor and dignity and his armed with 2, not 1 Phd and 2, not 1 law degree.

Carter and Obama have said he has a clean record -- Obama supporterd him in the primary against Blago.

What more do you want: a blood sample from Burris.

Burris is more educated than most Senators in office. Most women in office, where chosen, appointed, not elected.

Get real, folks.

[sasson]

You keep repeating this Phd thing, but I can't find it anywhere online. As best as I can tell, he has a ba from SIU and a JD from Howard. tell me what other degrees--specifically--that he has. Let's let the Republicans be the ones who are loose with the truth.

[Freedomscap]

I heard Reid say it on MSNBC Friday. Hey, maybe Reid's a liar -- what can I say.

[gladys46]

Perhaps Free relies on this article :


http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/01/sen_reids_press_conference_on.html

[Freedomscap]

You are merely a silly person. You don't deserve any response.

[maxfax]

How dumb of Democrats to allow this issue to languish, get on with it already, you look like idiots.

[gladys46]

Comparatively speaking ... GW has the idiot fields covered ! Did ya catch his "last" presser ... cut, cut, cut !!!

[Freedomscap]

Hey, more importantly, Madoff get to stay out of jail -- the pundit on MSNBC said -- he is 70, what more do you want, his blood.

Here's your honor and dignity, in America, folks.

[gladys46]

Is it the contrast between justice & the law !

[Freedomscap]

Justice and law are two different things -- dont' even try to mix morality and honor into the equation.

They are all separate and apart and not interrelated.

That's reality, folks.

[gladys46]

Interesting:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/09/burris-would-win-election_n_156758.html

Anything is possible I guess !!!

[Freedomscap]

That's what I predict and I hadn't even read the piece yet. Obama is going to make darn sure, Burris wins in 2010. Obama will make Burris the best Senator, since Reconstruction.

Plus, Obama will campaign for him, like nobodies business --- it's a done deal.

All the pundits on here predicting Burris won't win in 2010, shouldn't go to the races and bet on horses.

[gladys46]

Or a Greek picnic !!!

[jonnai]

I'm from Illinois and I can tell you that Burris is a show. This guy have lost so many races that it is. sad... sad... sad... Although I am a democrat Burris need to sit down and shut up.

[Freedomscap]

Thanks for this Chicago Times piece -- this piece indicates that a poll says that 67 percent of black voters in Illnois support seating Burris.

Who is that person lying on this site about support for Burris in Illnois amongst black voters. Where's the liar?

[Freedomscap]

A bunch of naive folks/posters thought Franken's position on I s r a e l, would be any different than Coleman's.

Please, Franken isn't progressive, Burris is.

[gladys46]

In the meantime, the judge has denied the prosecutor's request to revoke Madoff's bail !!! Wow !

[Freedomscap]

Obama is going to make sure, that Burris is the best Senator, Illnois has ever seen -- just wait and see.

Oh, I''ll even predict that Burris will get elected in 2010.

[carnelld]

Below is an excerpt from the Illinois Supreme Court regarding Burress's appointment. The Court also addressed the form that the Secretary of State refused to sign.

"It has done so through enactment of section 25–8 of
the Election Code (10 ILCS 5/25–8 (West 2006)). That statute
provides that “[w]hen a vacancy shall occur in the office of United
States Senator from this state, the Governor shall make temporary
appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of
representatives in Congress.” 10 ILCS 5/25–8 (West 2006).
In accordance with the authority conferred on him by section 25–8
(10 ILCS 5/25–8 (West 2006)), Rod R. Blagojevich, the Governor of
Illinois, appointed Roland Burris to temporarily fill the United States
Senate seat previously held by President-elect Obama.
-3-
President-elect Obama’s resignation “is filled by election as provided
by law.” The certificate was on a preprinted form and included, below
the Governor’s signature, a space for the signature of “Jesse White,
Secretary of State.” The space for the Secretary of State’s signature
was left blank.
The form used by the Governor was apparently based on
“recommended forms” contained in Rule II of the Standing Rules of
the United States Senate. As their name indicates, these forms are
merely recommended. State officials are not required to adopt them,
but “they may use [them] if they see fit.” Standing Rule II, United
States Senate, Committee on Rule & Administration."

[bygollymissmolly]

I think they will be making a very big mistake if they seat Burris. At least before they clear up several disturbing facts like his business partner getting Blago's wife a job on a Board. That was one of Blago's "pay" schemes and how do we know that isn't how Burris paid Blago. I get a strong feeling that Burris is dirty. If the Democrats seat him without a thorough investigation and then it turns out he's dirty, it's going to be a much bigger problem than refusing to seat him until they know for sure that he's not dirty.

[gmlaster]

You would be right.

[gladys46]

I don't think there is prevailing, supportive law by which to do that ... not seat Burris that is ! "Feelings" would not be sufficient !!!

[lochnessmonster]

I do not want Burris to represent Illinois. He never should have taken this seat from Blago. He is in it for hmself because he could never get duly elected here. He got it the easy way. Many of us are asking just how many pensions a 71 year old needs.

BTW he has built his own monument and I think he just wants to add another "accomplishment" even though it is unearned.

Another thing that troubles us is the fact that he said he had no contact but he did with a close confidant of Blago's, Monk, as well as his partner, Lebed, is a close ally to Blago.

The appointment stinks.

[AxelDC]

Burris is a fool to think he can hold on to this seat, even if he does get seated. The people of Illinois are horrified that he would take it from Blagovitch, who is about to go to prison precisely for selling this seat. The Illinois Democratic Party has no intention of putting Burris up as a candidate, especially after he embarrassed them nationally with his histrionics this past week.

To show how narcissistic and corrupt he is, Burris called a party lead by the only Black President in US history "Racist". Is he implying that Obama hates black people, or that Illinois, the home of Lincoln and Obama, hates blacks? Maybe they just hate corrupt blackpoliticians who use the race card to bludgeon those who call them on their BS!

[MorningJoeMikaIsMarried]

According to the unelectable Roland Burris the Democratic Party is R acist

[Piatt]

I don't know why this is still an issue. Seat the man who has been legally appointed and get on with it. He can run for the office in 2010 or not. The Supreme Court made it clear in 1969 that the Congress can only reject a member based on legal qualifications for the office.

[AxelDC]

Explain to me how anything Blagovitch does is legal? He is under indictment and impeachment, and it's only a matter of weeks before he is out of office and in prison, precisely for his dealings with this appointment.

[StillAmused]

Explain to me how anything you say bears a resemblance to reality... Blagojevich has NOT been criminally indicted, and his impeachment is only the equivalent of a 'political indictment', not a conviction.

More importantly, while it may have YOU thoroughly confused, NONE of this has any material bearing upon the legitimacy of Burris' appointment which has not been tied -- BY ANYONE -- to the allegations against Blagojevich.

Your passion is surpassed only by your ignorance of the facts.

[Nonamnesiac]

Blago has not been indicted of anything. I understand why you'd think so, just as I understand why many believed that Obama was a Muslim despite overwhelming proof that he wasn't. Low life Fitzgerald screamed so loudly and created unnecessary public prejudice against Blago when he had Blago arrested in the middle of the night as if he was a flight risk or might resist violently (the only reasons for a midnight arrest), that many believe Fitz had proof of his allegations and convicted Blago without trial or due process in their minds. Fitz held a press conference and filed a 70+ page whine against Blago even though he didn't have enough proof to get an indictment against Blago from a Chicago Grand Jury after the despicable midnight arrest.

I believe you're sincere and believed Blago had been indicted even though he hasn't been. I also believe you're a HuffPo blogger and believe in the sactity of the Constitution, the Rule of Law and the Presumption of Innocence. Please apply those to Blago, even if you don't like him and believe he's guilty. Those principles are what America a great place to live. Blago will either be convicted of crimes or not or removed from office by the Legislature or not. Once that happens, then he no longer has authority. Until then, he's innocent and has the right to appoint the only Black member of the U.S. Senate.

[me again]

Burris is a lame duck from the start......he never should have accepted and could not possibly get elected. The job is tainted and his ego got in the way of common sense. His best foot forward is to "trail blaze" (As it says on his tombstone) and withdraw. He's now a laughing stock.

[cyndeewi]

I agee with Piatt, seat the man!! He was appointed and if don't like it vote him out when the time comes.

[bygollymissmolly]

And then when it turns out he actually did "pay to play", what then?

[Nonamnesiac]

Then we have demonstrated we are a nation that lives up to its creed and provides its citizens due process of law, including the presumption of innocence. There have been numerous times when the power structure gets worked up to set up opponents for its own purposes. That's why we have "presumption of innocence". If you want to live under a system in which there is a presumption of guilt, move to another country or possibly to Louisiana, which might have, for state crimes, the presumption of guilt.

The manner Fitz went after Blago is plain despicable as he lacks the proofs necessary to indict him. He does not care about principled prosecution and should be removed from Blago's prosecution and investigated. Obama should accept his resignation (all US Attorneys usually offer the new President their resignations). If he doesn't provide it, Obama should remove him and appoint someone who truly cares about the Constitution, the Rule of Law, the Presumption of Innocence and American Jurisprudence. A US Attorney can do that and still vigorously prosecute crime.