Burris's 'Night Before Christmas': Senator Backs Reform With Rhyming Poem On Senate Floor (VIDEO)

On the Senate floor Tuesday morning, Roland Burris (D-Ill.) chose an unusual way to demonstrate his support for health care reform legislation emerging in the Senate, despite his previous threats to oppose any bill that lacked a strong public insurance option.

The medium he chose to deliver the message: poetry.

"As this debate draws to a close and my colleagues and I prepare to vote on a health care reform bill, I recognize the long hours and tense negotiation have left some nerves and tempers frayed," Burris said.

"That's why I come to the floor today. Although our work keeps us away from our family and friends for much of this holiday season, I see no reason why we can't share good cheers with one another right here in Washington. So in the spirit of the season, Mr. President, I would like to share my own version of a classic holiday story with my good friends on both sides of the aisle. And it goes something like this":

Mr. President: It was the night before Christmas

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the Senate
The right held up our health care bill, no matter what was in it
The people had voted a mandated reform
But Republicans blew off the gathering storm
We'll clog up the Senate, they cried with a grin
And in the midterm elections, we'll get voted in
They knew regular folks needed help right this second
But fundraisers, lobbyists and politics beckoned
So try as they might, Democrats could not win
Because the majority was simply too thin
Then across every state there rose such a clatter
The whole senate rushed out to see what was the matter
All sprang up from their desk and ran from the floor
Straight through the cloakroom and right out the door

And what in the world would be quite so raucous?
But a mandate for change from the Democratic caucus
The president, the Speaker, of course Leader Reid
Had answered the call in our hour of need
More rapid than eagles, the provisions they came
And they whistled and shouted and called them by name
Better coverage, cost savings, a strong public plan [sic]
Accountable options. We said, 'Yes, we can.'
No exclusions or changes for preexisting conditions
Let's pass a bill that restores competition
The Democrats all came together to fight
For the American people that Christmas Eve night

And then in a twinkle, I heard under the dome
The roll call was closed, and it was time to go home
Despite the obstructionist tactics of some
The filibuster had broken, the people had won
And a good bill was ready for President Obama
Ready to sign and end health care drama
Democrats explained as they drove out of sight
Better coverage for all, even our friends on the right.

WATCH:

Comments

[lovesholiday]

11:46 AM on 12/23/2009

Clever material, poor delivery

[KitChandler]

09:26 AM on 12/23/2009

Thanks for bringing a little levity to the end of this horrible year of recrimination. I am glad that at least something redemptive came from the Senator after such an inauspicious beginning to his senatorial quest...

[AntsyAmerican]

08:45 AM on 12/23/2009

[GasWells]

08:35 AM on 12/23/2009

Illinois has to be real proud of this nit-wit! He's mentally equipt to work for an organ grinder, carrying a little tin cup.

[liberalNmoderation]

08:06 AM on 12/23/2009

I thought it was pretty clever, so kudos to the writer.
I still don't care for Burris though.

[gaholiday]

07:39 AM on 12/23/2009

I thought it was funny , I'm only embarrassed by Michael Steele....

[pepperhead28]

07:28 AM on 12/23/2009

LOL A perfect ending to to cap this farce.

[mesioul]

03:11 AM on 12/23/2009

I love it! Why all the bashing? Most Senator's statements that I've heard are no more intelligent, they're just more boring.

[AD sandiego]

02:28 AM on 12/23/2009

Cringe worthy.

[GeneralBulldog]

02:19 AM on 12/23/2009

As the senator comes from my state, I really don't have much to complain about. I actually find it nice the cat actually made on tv with something that wasn't bashing but calling out the right in a funny yet respectful manner.

While I find his holiday themed health care reform poem timely, I'm torn as to whether or not it was in bad taste. Whatever the outcome people are talking about it, positive or negative reactions aside. People are talking about it and that's the point of doing stunts like this. Now the real question, going back on the real topic, is will the senate and representatives reach compromise on a health care bill that brings back the national heath service option or are they going to continue chopping reform up and letting private insurance win again?

[SEAD]

02:09 AM on 12/23/2009

I am a fan of Burris and I think he has been badly treated by his party and the press. If I were in his shoes I would flip the Dem and the President the bird and contest the seat. Screw Them!!! He is more Democrat than most of the other 57 (Lieberman is no Dem and Sanders is an Inde.) and his background makes him better prepared for the senate than most of the current occupants! Many on this site has bought into the unfair caricature that was created of him in the press because of their suspicion or disdain for Gov. Blogo. Why wasn't there a similar level of scrutiny over the appointments of Biden's, Clinton's, and Kennedy's appointments to name a few. You'll be woefully naive to believe that there is never a tit-for-tat in these types of appointment

[USAFVET76]

01:01 AM on 12/23/2009

Crazy. Absolutely crazy.

[starwart1]

12:49 AM on 12/23/2009

I was wondering when I was going to see this guy on TV again. I haven't seen him for a while. Of course THIS would get a bunch of people's attention.

[AlienNationRefugee]

12:09 AM on 12/23/2009

As an African American I can only lament every utterance from this baffoon. What an embarassment.

[djw]

12:50 AM on 12/23/2009

As an African American also I thought it was funny and right. Sometimes you have to go above the noise! So what as to how he got his seat - you think the Senators that are in now are squeaky clean ???

[USAFVET76]

01:03 AM on 12/23/2009

As a voter, American, worker, and taxpayer, I am embarrassed.
By him and the other few hundred politicians in D.C.
He maybe the biggest clown of the entire bunch.

[mmonarch]

11:50 PM on 12/22/2009

We're paying him to do this?

[djw]

12:53 AM on 12/23/2009

Instead of critizing him read what he was saying and ask yourself was it true or not?? Then make an assessment. I am a Democrate and I am about to agree with some stupid rethugs that Dems whine all the time. Geezzzzz

[USAFVET76]

01:44 AM on 12/23/2009

I couldn't bring myself to listen to one second of his dribble.
He is a big government, high tax, spender, who support amnesty for illegals and he hates children.

[mmonarch]

02:43 PM on 12/23/2009

I did read it. It was garbage. Here he comes to save the day....it means that Obama is on his way....to sign whatever crap is placed before him so he can say he did it, he was first. I am not a Dem by the way, nor a GOP.