Reid Balks at Blagojevich Senate Choice
The disgraced Illinois governor's master stroke now puts the ball squarely in the majority leader's court.
On the surface, this was a brilliant stroke by Blagojevich. By rolling the dice and naming Burris, he puts the onus of rejecting a supremely qualified African-American candidate smack on Senator Reid’s shoulders while perhaps even currying favor with Illinois blacks. In addition, if Reid were somehow to reverse himself, the drive for impeachment would slow considerably. The process had already been reduced to a crawl as a result of the holidays, and any urgency to impeach Blagojevich would dissipate because the idea was to get him out of office quickly so that he couldn’t name Obama’s successor.
To those who might wonder why this changes anything with regard to impeachment, it is important to remember that in Illinois politics all politicians are guilty until convicted. Then they are simply unelectable. Illinois House Democrats will move no faster than they have to. And if the Senate accepts Burris (or is forced to accept him), impeachment will proceed much more deliberatively.
Burris served from 1979-1991 as comptroller of the state and from 1991-1995 as attorney general. He is currently head of Burris & Lebed Consulting of Chicago, a high powered lobbying and consulting firm that, according to the Chicago Sun Times, has gotten nearly $295,000 in state contracts since 2004. Burris and his partners have donated more than $20,000 to Blagojevich since 2004.
In the news conference introducing him, Burris alluded to the idea that he was pleased Blagojevich had named another African-American to replace Obama and he pleaded with his “good friend” Senator Dick Durbin to talk with him about being accepted by the Senate. And it appears virtually certain that Blagojevich will fight to seat his choice, as Burris said during the press conference, “I welcome the challenge that awaits us.”
If that means a court battle as well as a PR offensive where Blago and Burris would appeal to the African-American community to get behind the choice, this could mean trouble for Harry Reid. And as far as the legal issues involved — dicey for the Senate majority leader:
In the past, the Senate has ruled on appointments where the power of an outgoing governor to make an appointment was unclear. But as of now, there seems little question that Blagojevich is still the governor; the state legislature has not changed the appointment power; and as of now, Blagojevich has not been convicted, or even indicted.
By contrast, the Senate may well have more Constitutional power to expel a Senator than to refuse to seat one. But that raises the dicey political question: would the Senate really want to expel a qualified, experienced political veteran who has never been tainted with any scandal? And who, by the way, would be the only African-American in that body?
The longer the controversy lasts, the greater the chance that real friction would heat up the situation. If Reid and the Democrats were to stick to their guns, it could not only cost them black support, but it would be a big distraction as the House and Senate start a new term faced with the large and consequential issues relating to the economy. It would be one more headache Obama and the Democrats could ill afford to suffer.
One can understand Burris accepting the offer — tainted as it is — considering the fact that he has run several times for higher office including two Democratic primaries for governor and once in 1995 in the Democratic primary for Chicago mayor. No one questions his competency or integrity. But he is hardly a ball of fire on the stump, and while proven to be a good organizer, he has never inspired much passion in his unsuccessful runs for Chicago mayor and governor.
Now he and Blagojevich find themselves standing in unprecedented territory. The Senate has never refused to seat anyone in this situation and if Reid were to do so, he might get high marks for integrity but suffer a political black eye with others.
Blagojevich has hit a 120 mph serve into Reid’s court. It’s now up to the majority leader to see what he can do with the return.
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Rick Moran is PJM Chicago editor; his own blog is Right Wing Nut House.
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58 Comments
1. JoeC:Brilliant, Blago, brilliant!
Dec 30, 2008 - 2:08 pm 2. jimbosterjim:Roland Burris isn’t well respected or squeaky clean. The guy has donated thousands of dollars to Blago and gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts from the State of Illinois- the very same “pay to play” Blago has been arrested for. Not to mention the fact, Burris himself was involved in a racially tinged imbroglio in 1998 when he was caught slamming his gubernatorial opponents as “non-qualified white boys”. A comment he first denied until they produced the tape- with the audio of the offending comments dubbed out. Burris is a slime ball political hack from the same sewer as Blago, yet no one can say a word against him because he’s black.
Dec 30, 2008 - 2:16 pm 3. TexEd:Reid is being a racist by preventing a fine black man from taking a seat in the Senate, joining the Congressional Black Caucus and enjoying the fruits (ala Charlie Rangel and Bill Jefferson) of such membership!
Dec 30, 2008 - 2:17 pm 4. Lorenzo:How much did Burris have to pay for the seat and what kind of Illinois “pork” did he have to promise to deliver for Blago? Remember, when Hussein was elected, his wife’s employer got big pork and Obama’s wife got a great raise. What did Blago get?
The price Blago got for Obama’s seat is important because it will form the basis for the size of the bribe that Paterson, a good friend and neighbor of Charlie Rangel, will be able to ask for for Hillie’s seat. Caroline clearly has the cash but doesn”t want to overpay.
Emanuel’s seat is also up for bid in Illinois and represents another revenue/pork opportunity for Blago.
Interesting that Harry Reid expresses concern that Blago might “appoint someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety.”Based on the history of many current members, I thought questions of impropriety were prerequisite to being a U.S. Senator.
Dec 30, 2008 - 2:21 pm 5. Jim Baker:Blagovevich will embarass Obama before this is over. That is why the Dems are so hell bent on slaughtering one of their own. They have started by singing to the rafters that Blago is an unstable and near crazy man, who will lie whenever he opens his mouth. Until Fitsgerald recorded Blago’s firesale, all these same Dems loved him. Obama loved Blago enough to endorse and campaign for Blago for the Governor job.
Dec 30, 2008 - 2:43 pm 6. Cybergeezer:You can’t make this stuff up. Even funnier, is the MSM trying to ignore this guy. Please, not a scandal before Michelle even gets to measure for curtains.
This tragic comedy is off to a good start; only four years left
Dec 30, 2008 - 3:23 pm 7. seven:Hope he didn’t have to pay it all up front. There could be some more wrinkles.
Dec 30, 2008 - 3:37 pm 8. Letalis Maximus, Esq.:Prediction:
Reid’s resolve collapses like a house of cards. Of course, comparing Reid’s resolve to a house of cards may insult houses of cards everywhere.
Dec 30, 2008 - 3:44 pm 9. fear Obama:I love it-
Harry Reid is a RACISTS.
Never thought I would get to use that word on PJM.
Ha.
Dec 30, 2008 - 3:53 pm 10. Adam S.:Reid is making the right decision by saying that anyone appointed by Blago will not be seated. It renders the Illinois Governor’s decisions regarding the senate moot. I like the statement, I hope he follows through with it.
Dec 30, 2008 - 3:59 pm 11. Anthony (Los Angeles):You left out or only indirectly alluded to the likelihood that Reid has no trumps to play and might be forced to accept Burris, following the precedent of Powell v. McCormack: http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1968/1968_138/
From where I sit, the only sure way for Blago to be foiled is for Obama himself to say that Burris should not take the seat, thus neutralizing the race-factor. But Obama so dislikes controversy, I doubt he’ll be able to stir himself to do it before a lot of damage gets done.
Heh.
Dec 30, 2008 - 4:12 pm 12. RM:>>>The problem is that the chances of Mr. Burris — a well respected, squeaky clean, more than qualified African-American..
Stop with the PC bulls***. The guy is a major Blago supporter and was a vice chairman of his transition team. The guy is also using his blackness as a shield against criticism. He is no better than the rest of the Black Congressional Caucus scum. His buddies even used the same language (lynching him etc) like they used to protect Franklin Raines.
Dec 30, 2008 - 4:17 pm 13. Insufficiently Sensitive:Mom, was this the Chicago Way you were talking about? Looks like the whole State of Nevada can’t hold a candle to one crooked city.
Dec 30, 2008 - 4:25 pm 14. David Thomson:“I like the statement, I hope he follows through with it.”
But can Harry Reid do so legally? Is the law on his side? This issue will probably go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. And most of Illinois’s black voters don’t give a damn about anything—but getting another black politician to save “their” U.S. Senate seat. Barack Obama is, thank God, placed in a no-win situation. It may also deter him from damaging the economy with his quasi-socialist policies.
Dec 30, 2008 - 4:36 pm 15. tanstaafl:…another black politician to save “their” U.S. Senate seat.
Obama’s vacated Senate seat is now considered to be a “black” seat.
While Hillary’s likely soon to be vacated Senate seat is considered a rich, white, female “carpetbagger” seat.
Unless, of course, Bill Baby’s worldwide money deals (and resultant beholden-ness to unsavory characters here and there about the planet) cannot be successfully rationalized and Hillary isn’t confirmed as SOS.
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:13 pm 16. DougW:Historians have aptly noted that the verb “To Blago” someone came into being back in ancient times. However, what “Blago” meant originally or why it came into usage has never been clear. Some have wondered if “Blago” was a derogatory term for an incompetent or if “Blago” was term used to otherwise slur another person. No one of note has ever been found in history with the name of “Blago,” or anything like it, so perhaps the origins of this strange yet usual term shall remain a mystery.
This is one of the many aspects of concern surrounding the inauguration of our 137th president this coming January 20th, that our president elect would be referred to as having been “Blagoed!” Is that in fact appropriate?
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:19 pm 17. jedrury:Legal axiom proven over time: bad cases make bad law. “Harry, you dunce !”
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:24 pm 18. mshatto:Dirty Harry will rue the day he came out so early – casting all calm consideration to the winds – against this appointment.
But of course Harry is el supremo dirt baggus of the lowest order.
This Blago fellow is really starting to grow on me. Originally it was the hair helmut that caught my attention, next, it was the constant appearance in running tights, and then the paraphrasing of Kipling, and now, now the “audacity of hope” Blago style. His will to fight for the common people and stand up to the con artists, grifters and thieves that now control this nation is truly something to behold. I’m really rooting for this guy. Blago in 2010 or whenever he runs again!
By the way, where is Rahm???
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:30 pm 19. robotech master:Well this move is pure brilliance…I can see why this POS corrupt bastard made it so far in the Dem party. Way to stick it to the man…
Though I do find the fact that the Dems could do something to suddenly cause blacks to vote non-dem… hah. Dems could be blacks back into slavery as long as they called it a welfare program and blacks would still vote for them.
However this will at least provide some amusement to see how their going to handle this… to be a racist or not to be a racist… which will you pick reid which will you pick.
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:32 pm 20. Gregory Koster:There’s not much to it:
a) the Senate can only stop a governor’s appointment on constitutional grounds viz 1)The prospective Senator is not an American citizen or 2) is not thirty years old or 3) a resident of the state (Illinois) or 4) resident of the United States for nine years prior to appointment.
If the Senate can’t find that, they have to appoint him. To be sure, they can promptly expel Burris—but they need a two-thirds vote of all members to do so. The Democrats don’t even have three fifths.
What a show this is going to be! It’s worth noting that The One is the sole cause of it. He didn’t have to resign from the Senate until 11:59 AM 20 January. But it was easier to resign so he wouldn’t have to take part in the efforts of bailing out everyone. Better to leave and let Cowboy Harry and Swami Nancy take the heat. Pass the popcorn and laugh and laugh…
Sincerely yours,
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:54 pm 21. thegr8 1:Gregory Koster
I balk that such a pathetic moron is running the US Senate. As he doesn’t like the smell of visitors to the Capitol, I’d rather be around a skunk than that piece of crap.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unfortunately Reed did not stay in Vegas, what happens in Chicago is coming to Washington and I as a Conservative will be LMAO.
Dec 30, 2008 - 5:55 pm 22. Eric R.:Of course, Mr. Reid is rejecting Mr. Burris for one reason and one reason only – Burris is black and Mr. Reid is racist.
What, you mean the MSM won’t use that meme because Reid has a “D” in front of his name?
Dec 30, 2008 - 6:06 pm 23. Mike G in Corvallis:jimbosterjim wrote:
” … is a slime ball political hack from the same sewer as Blago, yet no one can say a word against him because he’s black.”
Hmmm …
Dec 30, 2008 - 6:21 pm 24. jms:Something close enough to this has happened before:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powell_v._McCormack
Apparently they would have to swear Mr. Burris in and then expel him, which they won’t do because it would be pure political poison for Democrats, as Bobby Rush racily baited in his comments. In other words, we’re probably stuck.
Today Blagojevich delivered a big finger to the eye of those trying to argue that he was incapable of carrying out the duties of his office. “What do you mean I can’t carry out my duties. Here’s your new f*(&!^g Senator.”
Dec 30, 2008 - 6:44 pm 25. Patrick1:At the Blago press conference there stood the Reverend Jesse Jackson supporting the choice. He will always want to stick it to the Messiah, especially since his corrupt spawn got caught buying the seat.
You have to give Blago credit. He may be a corrupt, profane narcissist but he’s got a pair that allows him to play this game the “Chicago Way”.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:11 pm 26. iron308:“it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat.”
4. Lorenzo, I’m not sure it is about the prerequisite impropriety, it may be that Reid thinks only Senators should be allowed to sell their seats to the highest bidder.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:13 pm 27. glenn:I like the statement too, but it sure is fun to call some sactimonious Democrat a racist and have him be unable to respond with anything but bafflegab.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:29 pm 28. cedarhill:As I read IL law, the Secretary of State has no option. It is a mandate (as in “shall” not “may”)to certify whomever the Governor appoints. IL courts would have no choice but to issue a mandamus. Not clear how long that would take but it’s very clear they would. Then, Adam Clayton Powell’s case would seem to control and Burris would be seated in Congress. All cylinders of the 17th Amendment are firing in favor of Burris. One doubts Reid will do anything other than what he typically does.
Prediction: Burris will be seated around January 19th. His seating will be a 5 second sound byte, if that, amid the hoopla of the coronation. Reid and the Dems their IL Dem Senate seat while having taken a highly visible, early stand for integrity. The excuse will be along the lines of being forced to yield to the law, promote harmony, etc., etc.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:38 pm 29. Patrick1:I have no doubt Burris will never serve a day in the Senate.
Reid could take advantage of the situation by saying the Senate refuses to seat Burris under the Constitutional provision giving the Congress the final say in sitting members regardless of the election outcome. He can hold hearings saying that the nomination is tainted and then call Blago as the first witness. Get Blago under oath he will refuse to testify and Obama and Reid can declare case closed and pick another black person for the seat.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:40 pm 30. zanne:We don’t need reality T.V. anymore we have dirty politics 24/7.
Dec 30, 2008 - 7:49 pm 31. reno911:If the GOP was smart. They would not say a word about this and just let the Democrats, MSM and Obama look like the crooks they are. But, the GOP is not smart so look for this to be twisted into some kind of GOP dirty trick.
Dec 30, 2008 - 8:13 pm 32. Disgusted:This is just Act 1 of the new play OBAMATHON or Chicago Politics on the Potomac. You have to admire Blago for pulling this off. This is Chicago politics at its finest. The Senate does not have any legal grounds to not seat Burris, and as for expelling him, the Democrats don’t have the necessary numbers, and any Republican that went along with this numskull idea of Harry Reid would be committing suicide….watching this is more fun than watching a three ring circus. In this country regardless of what people think, you are innocent until proven guilty. Blago has not even been indicted, let along been found guilty of anything. BTW – what is contained in Act 2 of the Obamathon…..more fun & games I’m sure, I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
Dec 30, 2008 - 8:24 pm 33. George Clarke:In Seinfeld terms, Reid has no Hand here. Reid never had any Hand anyway. Rush Limbaugh proved he is clueless when Rush auctioned off his threat letter. Reid proves again he has not learned anything in his years as Leader. How’d he get picked as the Leader anyway?
Dec 30, 2008 - 8:34 pm 34. JM Hanes:Apparently, Harry Reid’s asking price is too steep for Blago. If you want to know how bread gets buttered, Harry is your go-to guy.
Dec 30, 2008 - 8:48 pm 35. Martge:Is there anybody here who really believes that the so called “pay for play” system is not being done in every state in the union. This guy from Illinois just happened to be unlucky enough to get caught. obama’s minions got upset because they didn’t get their choice and I bet you anything obama’s chief of staff to be be turned him in.
Dec 30, 2008 - 9:02 pm 36. mndasher:I don’t root for many democrats, but Rod Blagojevich is great. I think he did the right thing. I have no idea whether Burris’ is ok or not. Not likely since he is a Democrat, but each day we get to see what an ass Harry Reid is, and Obama stepped in it today too, supporting Reid. It doesn’t get any better than this.
I have a feeling that Blago may just beat the rap anyway.
Dec 30, 2008 - 9:03 pm 37. Scott:What a scream…the Democrats are going to block a perfectly qualified black man from taking a seat in the US Senate,and Barack Obama endorses that action…Blago is a man,which is more than you can say about Obama,Durbin,and Quinn
Dec 30, 2008 - 9:59 pm 38. Scott:Governor Rod has not committed crime one…if he has,then Fitzgerald should prove it:he will not and he cannot
Dec 30, 2008 - 10:10 pm 39. John Burke:I certainly hope that Blago’s gambit fails, but I think it’s going to be very hard for Reid to exclude Burris and Obama won’t want to help him out any more than he did with today’s statement.
That statement is really very soft—the words of a man who doesn’t want to get more involved. He says basically that Burris is a fine man; the Senate should handle this; and Blago should resign and let someone else make an appointment.
There is nothing there to stop the likes of Bobby Rush in his tracks. Burris already did some TV interviews, making the case plausibly that he’s not tainted and Illinois needs two Senators. The next move will be an orchestrated effort to get Illinois Black ministers, aldermen, community leaders, rank and file Chicago Democrats to support Burris. While Rush is not going to sweep Capitol Hill before him, he’ll be able to announce the support of a series of Black members of the House (I can think of six off hand who will chime in). How the “narrative” surrounding this will develop is not yet clear. The Obama-struck media will want to cover for Obama, not Reid, so Reid may find that Obama doesn’t give him any stronger statements in the days ahead.
I’ve been commenting on this issue all along on my blog at:
http://thepurplecenter.blogspot.com/
Everyone is welcome to join in the discussion there.
Dec 30, 2008 - 11:30 pm 40. livermoron:i have an odd admiration for Gov. Blagojevich. He is playing this one perfectly. He knows what was said between Rahm Emanual and him in those 20+ phone conversations (you know, the ones that came to light after Obama stated that his office had had no contact with the Gov). I suspect that in those conversations Rahm implicated himself and perhaps even Obama. The last thing that the Obama camp would want then is for Blago to force the trial that would occur according to Illinois law following his impeachment. In a trial, Blago would be allowed to call witnesses and make public the content on the recordings. He may also have recordings of the ‘private’ personal meetings he and Rahm had on a few occasions. All of that is bad for Obama. Blago may also maintain that what he did was also done by others in Illinois and many other other states, therefore setting a precedent and standard. That revelation would not reflect well on any party, but the Democrats would bear the brunt. With a couple of other open Democrat senatorial seats to fill, the timing would be bad for the them.
Blago needs to keep the pressure on Obama et al to drive the best deal for himself. His appointment of Buriss signals that he is in this fight to win AND that he has some hidden cards yet to be played. If he gets the big pay-out those cards may stay firmly tucked up his sleeve…if the pay-out is not forthcoming, well….
Dec 31, 2008 - 12:47 am 41. Confused in Virginia:Blago is playing this like he’s in a poker game and knows not only his own cards, but also what everyone else is holding too.
My guess is that this is the new politics of the 21st century: select a black candidate, call anyone who opposes that person a racist, and people back away in fear, so that the candidate wins.
Hey, it happened with the Presidential election, so why not try it in state politics?
Dec 31, 2008 - 1:33 am 42. Tomp:Don’tcha just love it! You betcha! 4 more years.
Dec 31, 2008 - 6:26 am 43. Lynn:Reid, most arrogant. Dem Party has turned into a bunch of nincompoops. This buffoonish behavior will be a lot of fun to watch. No matter which way they turn, it will be a circus in the Senate. Obama has his work cut out for him with this bunch.
Dec 31, 2008 - 7:24 am 44. cfbleachers:For those of you not subjected to a lifetime Chicago politics, welcome to the theater of the absurd.
Frankly, there is nothing truly unusual going on here, for those of us who grew up reading Royko. For the national shill cheerleading squad (known in some quarters as the “mainstream” media, a name I will never again utter or write), this little episode has torn the dust cover off the “Camelot in Ebony and Ivory” tome they were about to peddle.
Romanticizing democratic politics as pristine, erudite and good for children and puppies, took a detour down La Salle Street and is currently spinning its wheels in the gray slush of
Hyde Park.
What we have learned, then forgotten, then relearned in this Royko-esque beauty of a political season, is that those who drift to the left of the political spectrum can spin a great romantic yarn, but simply are not capable of keeping their pack from eating their own offspring. Hillary and Bill took a bloody beating, but all was forgiven with a lofty title and lands of their own to pass on to their loyal underlords, a shrinking lot…no worries, more to keep, after all.
Now, Blago threw a high hard one under the chin of the Scamelot leadership, Reid (and Pelosi hiding under the round table), utilizing a famous leftist divide and conquer scheme. He took a benign, bland and inoffensive Burris and set up the race card divide.
If you can’t have both class and race, race alone is still a powerful arrow in the quiver.
This sent Scamelot into a whipped frenzy. Bobby Rushes to the town square and declares the seat’s ownership and draws his sword, defending title to it for Burris.
For my purposes, Roland Burris or Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner would make little, if no difference. Romance novels and entrenched media stories all have manufactured endings. Scamelot will be revised, edited and cleansed. King Barthur will take his court.
Dec 31, 2008 - 7:48 am 45. Rockmelon:Blago needs to be indicted immediately and the Constitution needs to be amended to temporarily reduce or terminate the powers of any public official who is under indictment and continue until the time that quilt or innocence can be established.
As far as Blago personally, he should be ashamed of himself adding to the problems of the American people at this time. He is making a fool out of himself and a mockery of American politics.
Dec 31, 2008 - 8:08 am 46. Tex Taylor:Why is Dimocratic Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois always prefaced with disgraced? He appears to me an upstanding member of his party and an excellent model for a new and improved Dimocrat leadership role. He’s got all the tools: (1) liar, (2) self-serving, (3) bully.
Blago is certainly no worse than Charlie Rangel, a tax cheat and thief, currently residing over the committee writing the tax laws for the rest of us.
I think you guys continue to take potshots at Rod because you’re jealous of his stylish hair.
Dec 31, 2008 - 8:11 am 47. Montesquieu:I think that most of you who oppose the appointment should read the Illinois constitution:
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/conmain.htm
Like it or not Blago has the right to appoint someone even if he is in jail as long as he is the sitting governor.
Also, the US senate does not have a leg to stand on either.
http://www.house.gov/house/Constitution/Constitution.html
The US constitution does not give Harry Ried the right to deny someone that meets the qualifications of office.
Read it and weep Democrats!
The problem is that none of the sitting politicians have apparantly read the constitution that they swore to uphold.
Dec 31, 2008 - 8:37 am 48. K:Burris will be seated. All the blather from Reid, and a few others, has just been public relations cover. Harry knows, and knew, full well that he probably can’t block Burris on constitutional grounds.
(The constitutional clause is admittedly not totally clear and the courts have not made a once-and-forever ruling. But I feel safe in saying the balance of legal opinion is against Reid.)
It clearly won’t be blocked in Illinois either unless Blago fumbles the paperwork in some manner such as not getting the proper letter to the Secretary Of State.
So what is really happening? With this appointment Blago has firmed up his support in Chicago. It gives him the firm backing of black leaders there. Mayor Daley, not black, also is happy because the matter gets settled without any disturbances in heavily black neighborhoods.
The appointment is met with disgust by Republicans and some Democrats. But they weren’t by now Blago’s friends anyway, So he lost little or nothing with them.
And despite any posturing in public statements the Illinois Democrats in the legislature will not impeach Blago unless he is so clearly doomed there can be no point in not doing so.
Dec 31, 2008 - 9:58 am 49. obiterdictum:Isn’t it amazing how much Blago looks like the chairman of the board of trustees of a certain college?
Dec 31, 2008 - 3:27 pm 50. The Historian:POLITICS & ETHICS ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE:
The longer a politician is in office, the more the chance that ethics are ignored.
http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/pox-on-both-political-parties.html
Dec 31, 2008 - 6:21 pm 51. myth buster:This whole situation is Obama’s Whitewater. Clinton and his wife were cleared of any wrongdoing, but everyone around them suffered.
Dec 31, 2008 - 8:04 pm 52. Roark:The Democrats epitomize evil by their constant desire to choose people to elective office based on their race and their love of the state. Now America has not only the congressional black caucus and the congressional hispanic congress, but we now have the “messiah” as President. No longer does individual integrity, merit, and character matter. America pull your head out of your #@%!!!
Jan 1, 2009 - 7:16 am 53. Timothy:Ah, the implosion of the Democratic Party. I love it. Blago is like a suicide bomber right now, something tells me he has a ton more info on this than is being led on. Interesting that our pretty boy Fitzy baby has filed a 90 day extension. This couldn’t be more entertaining if John Wayne were riding a herd of cattle through the Illinois Legislature. I wonder if Ron Howard will make a movie of this story when he’s 90 years old.
Jan 1, 2009 - 12:49 pm 54. jj:Blago is so sexy…I admire his gutsy moves, and the fact that he has already given Reid a black eye….I guess it depends on Reid to stop his own ridiculous illegal grab of power or suffer a full body beating in the media over the next few months.
Looks like Democrats with absolute power are as bad at governing as Republicans with full power. Hope this breaks the hope train.
Jan 2, 2009 - 1:05 pm 55. kevin c:in 2006-Scumbag Burris doanted 20k to Blagos gubertorial campaign. since 2006, Burris law firm has received over 300k in state contracts from the Blagobunch. Can you say “pay to play?”. Fact of life is no commierat scum in Illinios is honest. Every single one of them (yes including Obamascum) is dirty. Its like a job requirement. Until the voters in Illinios wise up(fat chance) you will continue to get trash like BLAGO, BURRIS,OBAMASCUM, EMANUEL, DALEY, BLAGOS FATHER-IN-LAW MELL,JESSE THE JACKASS JR, BOBBY THE BLACK PANTHER RUSH,MEEKS, MADIGAN ET AL WHO WILL continue the corruption started during the Al Capone era(funny, but didnt Capones pal Frank Nitti bring SAUL ALINSKY to Chicago?)
Jan 3, 2009 - 10:59 am 56. kevin c:wHILE we are at it, has anyone checked into the demoscum who was appointed to BIDENS seat? Considering they ethics of BIDENS SON, it might be wise to look and see what HE LIKELY PAID a sitting DEMOSCUM to appoint himself to BIDENS old seat.
Jan 3, 2009 - 11:03 am 57. kevin c:#18-RAHM has been in AFRICA-PROBABLY to KENYA meeting with ODINGA so they can cook the books on the OBAMSCUM BIRTH CERTIFICATE. Funny how OBAMASCUM was in HAWAII the same time RAHMBONER was in AFRICA. Im sure it was a COINCIDENCE.
Jan 3, 2009 - 11:08 am 58. ted:There’s a really great blog about Blagojevich on the humor website, freedomhaters.org. Through hyperlinks, they took the headline story, “Blagojevich still defends his actions in office despite overwhelming vote,” and showed the true meaning behind the words.
You can check it out here:
http://freedomhaters.org/content/todays-headlines-told-through-hyperlinks
Jan 10, 2009 - 7:37 pm