The Capitol Fax Blog » This just in… Burris will be seated

Monday, Jan 12, 2009

Senate Democratic leaders today cleared the way for Roland Burris to be seated as a senator from Illinois, after more than a weeklong spectacle surrounding the state’s corruption scandal and the questioning of Mr. Burris’s credentials.

After Mr. Burris’s lawyers hand-carried an additional document bearing a state seal, a statement attesting to the appointment and a mass-produced signature of the secretary of State, Jesse White, along with the governor’s original papers, Senate leaders Harry Reid and Dick Durbin bestowed the senator-designate title on him in a joint release:

The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate Rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat. In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment.

“We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect.

“Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in.

“As we had outlined to Mr. Burris, a path needed to be followed that respects the rules of the Senate. We committed to Mr. Burris that once those requirements were satisfied, we would be able to proceed. We are pleased that everything is now in order, we congratulate Senator-designee Burris on his appointment and we look forward to working with him in the 111th Congress.”

- posted by Rich Miller

74 Comments

- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:51 pm:
All I can say is if I were in the military and Dick Durbin showed up as my commander, I would kiss my behind goodbye. He is one of the most wishy-washy people-not just pols-I think I have ever heard. He should just not say anything-he would be much better off.

- Anonymous Coward - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:52 pm:

a mass-produced signature of the Secretary of State

Huh..

- Team America - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:53 pm:
Hmm, just before the inauguration… Do we detect the iron hand of Obama behind the scenes demanding that Durbin & Reid end the nightmare? Wonder how many phone calls it took?

- Bill Baar - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:53 pm:
…mass-produced signature of the secretary of State…

Did they overs sell seats to the Senate?

- ChiGal - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:54 pm:
Yes, sir. This is the “change” we were looking for from Obama. You can take the boy out of Chicago… but…

- sal-says - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 3:59 pm:
Chigal - Right on!

We ain’t never gonna get this State politically straight.

Disgraceful.

- Blago Sphere - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:00 pm:
December 30th:

Within an hour of learning on Tuesday that Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois was about to name a Senate successor to President-elect Barack Obama, the Senate Democratic leadership drew a clear line in the sand: Anyone appointed by Mr. Blagojevich, the embattled Illinois chief executive, would not be accorded Senate membership.

A statement issued by the Democratic leadership said bluntly that anyone appointed by Mr. Blagojevich “will not be seated by the Democratic caucus.”}

Today
{ we congratulate Senator-designee Burris on his appointment and we look forward to working with him in the 111th Congress.”}

The law required him to be admitted to the Senate. They are not required by law to admit him into the Democratic caucus however.

Now that they have “congratulated him on his appointment”, and “look forward to working with” does this mean that he won’t be caucusing with just Lieberman?

- Speaking at Will - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:03 pm:
literally makes me sick.

- Nose For News - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:06 pm:
OMG does that leave Cross & Co out in the cold? Again? Now they can revert to their pre 12-9 position
How about TugBoat Andy….we all need a fresh news release

- Vote Quimby! - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:06 pm:
Roland can call the engraver now and add senator to his tombstone. Yee-hah. (sigh) I haven’t been this unexcited about a new US Senator from Illinois since, uh… since Chuck Percy? Of course, I was about 8 years old then…

- Yeah Right... - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:07 pm:
This qoute is very interesting “Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans” Reid and Durbin are probably trying to get the Republicans to object so that they are not the bad guys.

- Anonymous - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:09 pm:
How disgusting.

No inquiry into how much Burris has given Blago.

No inquiry into the potential taints behind this appointment.

He’s black. So he must be seated.

Even though the man who appointed him has been charged by the feds for selling the seat.

Pathetic.

Same old same old in Illinois.

We will never have enough federal prosecutors to clean it all up.

- Black Ivy - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
Can I get an AMEN!

- VanillaMan - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:08 pm:

Congratulations Roland!

See, what did I tell you? All you had to do is dance with me, and I’ll make your ambitious, self-serving dreams come true! When I phoned with this offer, I knew I found the right soul. Your deal was tailor made, just for you.

We received your signature through the mail yesterday and all the checks have cleared. You will discover a whole new world of prohibitive power and riches beyond your wildest dreams! Tomorrow, you will be picked up by a chauffeured black car, and your new Senate office awaits your first visit.

Staffers are lining up to pamper your every move. You will find new campaign contributions flooding into a new campaign fund with the personalized touches you requested. Expect to be very busy next week as invitations to every Inaugural event will find their way to you. I personally recommend the special events I have highlighted with a red asterisk. The ones I require you to attend are marked with a double asterisk.

We are so excited by this deal! You have labored long and hard and have earned the credibility you are now spending with us during these upcoming years. As with Mr. Blagojevich, you will discover that it isn’t the destiny that matter, it is the time spent getting there! You will discover we offer the finest in accommodations, especially with gentlemen of your worth.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Should you run low on any funding, you can contact my personal Assistant for Funding, Mr. George Soros. George is a master at handling these kinds of money challenges.

As you also requested, we have sent a gentleman from Southland Memorial Markers to your mausoleum to add to your marvelous list of Earthly accomplishments. He will look forward to your new achievements over the next two years.

As is customary, please expect to be whisked away immediately once your work here is through. We are very excited to finish the deal and your end of our bargain is expected to be paid immediately upon it’s completion. Please see Mr. Faust when you arrive for your permanent placement.

Sincerely,
The Devil

- One of the 35 - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:12 pm:
I understand professional courtesy, but can Durbin and Reid really speak for and obligate the entire U.S. Senate?

- MikeintheSuburbs - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:15 pm:
It’s such a burden being right.

As I pointed out before, the different paperwork that was re-submitted had absolutely nothing to do with this decision. I think they took a look at the legal and political position and decided it wasn’t tenable.

The thing is that each time they said something, they did so with great conviction and postiveness only to say the exact opposite the next day with equal verve and decisiveness. It makes you not want to believe anything that comes out of their mouths in the future. They were like trial lawyers who represented the opposite party each day and then switched back again.

- John Bambenek - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:16 pm:
There is no “because I don’t like it” veto of our laws and constitutions. If they didn’t want blago to make the appointment, they should have impeached him with a no confidence vote or at least try to pass a special election bill. They twiddled because they valued party over the people and they got burned. We suffer because of their failed leadership.

- GA Watcher - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:16 pm:
Enjoy your two years, Mr. Burris. I don’t believe you will get more than that, especially when your first primary will be held around the same time Governor Blagojevich will be on trial.

- Nose For News - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:17 pm:
Another sleepy head reports in…..U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) announced today he plans to introduce legislation that would block potentially billions of dollars in federal stimulus funds from flowing to the office of impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
“I think this is necessary to prevent any temptation to him to provide a parting gift of the billions of dollars that will be made available to the states, including the state of Illinois,” Kirk said during a news conference at his Northbrook office. “We want to make sure that federal law denies Gov. Blagojevich any chance to provide funds through his office to any one of his friends of allies.”

Under the amendment, stimulus funds would flow instead to the offices of the Illinois legislature for distribution — a provision allowed under a federal law approved in 1996, the congressman said.

- Macoupin County Kid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:21 pm:
And Hot Rod wins again….

- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:24 pm:
If the Dems didn’t want to accept Burris, they would have had to attack the appointment (not the appointee) with everything they had within an hour or two of the time is was made. As soon as one news cycle went by without a very strong condemnation of Rod for being a cynical race-baiter, they had lost. The only hope would have been to immediately frame this for what it was. They might have cut off Roland’s support before it coalesced and turned it against him for allowing a criminal to taint Obama’s seat.

Instead, they turned it into a paper chase, which they were bound to lose.

- Bill Baar - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:27 pm:
By failing to strip Rod Blagojevich of his senate appointment power, Democrats chose to trust a madman over the people of Illinois.

From the GOP’s Press Release… and it looks like the madman won.

- Speaking at Will - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:28 pm:
== There is no “because I don’t like it” veto of our laws and constitutions ==

In this case, I wish there were.

- Bill - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:31 pm:
Geez VanMan,
Must we be subjected to your 10 paragraphs of sour grapes tripe on two different threads?

- Blago Sphere - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:31 pm:
What are the odds that he fills the MWRD vacancy this week now?

Will the appointee be Hispanic or someone from the LGBT community?

- BIG R.PH. - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:35 pm:
What can the Republicans do?

Object to him being seated? Already done by the Dems

Create a race debate? Already done by the Dems

Dig out the rulebook from the 1880’s? Done by the Dems

Make a mockery of the State of Illinois? Done by the Dems!

- Princess - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:39 pm:
Oh come on, I’ll play the simpleton today. Just seat the gentleman. He’s got a couple years, will be watched like a hawk eying it’s dinner and if we survived Rod for six years certainly we can survive Roland who only gets one vote and little power. The Republicans will whine but they would not have been happy if Rod had appointed Mother Teresa herself. Roland may not be perfect, may not be who some wanted in office, was appointed under terrible conditions, but it’s done. Deal with it. It’s time to move on. We can all trust that if Roland blinks wrong, we will hear about it.

- HoBoSkillet - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:41 pm:
Did Burris just quote Nixon? Unbelievable…

- Toast Man - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:41 pm:
The entire racial B.S. overtone leading to the seating of Burris was disgusting, pathetic and uncalled for. I may be mistaken, but weren’t the other 99 senators elected, by their constituents? I do not understand all the grousing about the senate being a white persons club. I know it’s not always true but the better candidate usually wins the election. That is where I see the deficiency in the process.

- Illinois Eddie - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:41 pm:
2010 Senate Election:
Burris 68%
Keyes 32%

- concern - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:43 pm:
It is a sad day that the process of replacing a U.S Senator has lead to Burris. The only thing that never forgets more than an elephant is a voter. I have voted Democratic for some 30 years but the next election I, my family and my friends will remember this and vote for Republican nominee. WHen is enough enough.

Pingback They Were Against Him Before They Were For Him « QC Examiner - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:44 pm:
[…] They Were Against Him Before They Were For Him Proof of how screwed up our Democrat controlled government is, the US Senate will seat Roland Burris. […]

- Justice - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:45 pm:
I never once doubted him being seated. You can ALWAYS count on bluster from Durbin and Reed, but in the end they will always yield to ……well, pretty much anything! What an incredible crock but oh so tantalizing buffoonery from our elected finest. Is it any wonder we are in the crapper?

- HoBoSkillet - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:47 pm:
Rod’s legacy going to the U.S. Senate…. Funny how I thought he would have appointed himself there just to get out of Illinois hot water.

- Segatari - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:49 pm:
We now know the secret method of getting things done with Democrats…threaten to call them racists. So when they attempt to pass a tax increase, we all need to start chanting racist at them and they’ll fold like cards.

- "low level paper pusher" - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:49 pm:
Burris is going to suffer a huge blow to his ego the minute he is sworn in and figures out that he will be dead last in seniority — lower than even those elected in 2008 that have already been sworn in.

- jerry - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:49 pm:
Spineless.

Durbin. Reid. Spineless.

First, they let Joe Lieberman off scott free after he commits high (party) treason. Then they fall all over themselves to let Roland Burris into the Senate.

Congratulations, Illinois Republicans. In 2 years, you get to say hello to Senator Mark Kirk.

Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, on the other hand, still won’t know what hit them.

- Bill - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:50 pm:
He will have more senority than Al Franken and Caroline Kennedy.

- Bill Baar - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:52 pm:
…he will be dead last in seniority…

I think Burris is counting on a hotline to the White House and there is no reason to think he won’t have it.

Chicago’s Southside has a Prez from 47th Street and a Senator from Chatham.

That’s some clout.

- Bill - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:53 pm:
This is a great day for the American people. The rule of law was followed and we will reap the benefit of Roland’s vast experience and dedication.

- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:53 pm:
I do not believe that Rod would have signed the bill stripping his power to appoint the Senator. I don’t think the Republicans believe it either.

- Macoupin County Kid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:53 pm:
“He will have more senority than Al Franken and Caroline Kennedy.”

Well there’s something to be proud of…lol…

- Toast Man - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:54 pm:
Bill, maybe all three can share the attic broom closet for their office.

- Macoupin County Kid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:55 pm:
Still waiting for CHANGE…….

- Bill - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:56 pm:
OK. Assuming that Al actually wins that makes it 59-41 if we can keep Lieberman in line. One Rhino and we are in business.

- Macoupin County Kid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:57 pm:
“I do not believe that Rod would have signed the bill stripping his power to appoint the Senator.”

Did anyone??

- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 4:59 pm:
Did anyone??

Rod himself said he would sign such a bill. And he is a man who, in the words of our next Governor, “always does the right thing.”

- Macoupin County Kid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:02 pm:
“Rod himself said he would sign such a bill.”

LOL. And Rod has shown just how ethical and easy to work with he is….

- Anonymous - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:09 pm:
This is truly disgusting. I wonder how long it will take to get his mausoleum engraved with this new detail.

Blagojevich should have not been allowed to make this appointment until the entire investigation was completed and he was found innocent. Illinois needs to have a law in place that states if a high official is arrested, all official business conducted by this person should be suspended until the case is cleared up

- Been There - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:22 pm:
===Illinois needs to have a law in place that states if a high official is arrested, all official business conducted by this person should be suspended until the case is cleared up ===
I suspect if this law was on the books the other party would be following the gov around waiting for him to jay walk in some screwed up jurisdiction. Then have him arrested. What then? Lt. Gov? While he is in there for a day or two he signs bills, fires or hires, executive orders, etc. Sounds like a stretch but with those consequences I wouldn’t want to chance a law like you are proposing.

- Oberon - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:31 pm:
Actually, at one time “arresting” opposition legislators was a frequently-used tactic to prevent individual members from reaching the Capitol to cast their votes. Sheriffs of the opposite party used to lie in wait along the highways and railroads, hoping to seize Members on trumped-up charges, later declared to be “mistakes” after the crucial vote was taken. That is why, today, Members of the Assembly are privileged from arrest (except for felonies) when traveling to or from Sessions (and why so many of them shamelessly violate the speed limit on the Interstates).

So simply an “arrest” is too easy a standard; “indictment” would be more appropriate, but, in the instant case, where the Governor will not be formally indicted up to four months after his arrest, such a law (it would have to be a Constitutional Amendment to apply to a Constitutional Officer) would not have made any difference to the Burris appointment.

The problem here was always in the Senate’s baseless refusal to seat “any” appointee named by Blagojevich, not in the fact that Blagojevich made an appointment.

The lesson to be learned is that our politicians need to realize that they, too, are bound by laws, as are the rest of us. Unlawful acts by Blagojevich do not justify unlawful acts by others, or we are indeed lost.

- lesson - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:32 pm:
The race card still works

- wordslinger - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:44 pm:
They drew a line in the sand. They could have tied it up in knots til the next general election. They talked tough, but they didn’t back it up.

And these guys want to talk with Hamas and Iran?

- Captain Flume - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 5:46 pm:
I wonder if Mike Madigan saw this appointment coming. Then I wonder if he cares.

Pingback Open Letter to McKenna’s Spinsters re Blago’s Appointment Powers « Illinois Reason - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:17 pm:
[…] While I agree in principle with the Republicans and others bemoaning the fact Blagojevich made an appointment to the open Senate seat and have that appointment actually stick, it’s abundantly clear given his pathological “administrative” style over the years that Blago would have found some loophole even if the state legislature had passed a bill stripping gubernatorial appointment powers or scheduling a special election. […]

- OneMan - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:30 pm:
At least Jesse White kept his word in all of this unlike all of the other folks who folded like a house of cards…

- The Court Jester - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:46 pm:
I’m dizzy from watching all the flip flopping Durbin has done on this “legal” appointment. This is off the charts embarrassing for the dems.

- Southern Illinois - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:56 pm:
Sit back sports fans…As our beloved Governor once proclaimed “You ain’t seen nothin yet!”

The next two years should be quite funny to watch.

- A Citizen - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:57 pm:
- OneMan -
You are correct on White, he Has taken a position, made it public and stayed true to his word. Indeed, White has consistently statesman like for many years. He was saddled with huge increases in fees for titles, plates etc. Not of his choosing and has simply managed his office, and done it well. No scandals, no griping or badmouthing, simply doing his job. Now Durbin, Reid et al try to shortsheet him on the Burris deal - they should take a lesson from White instead of trying to demonizing him. Reid and Durbin are shallow, little men!

- Blago Sphere - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 6:57 pm:
This is priceless:

{Q Senator, your lawyers indicated Friday that you had formed a campaign committee. Might you run in 2010?

MR. BURRIS: Well, we had to form a fund-raising committee because of the, you know, needed expenses that we’ll have. And we’re also forming a legal — legal defense fund committee, too.}

His annual pension from Illinois is $118,000, and his annual salary from the federal government is $169,000.

He is now on the government dole for almost 300 largeannually, and he wants to solicit contributors for a “legal defense fund”.

Is the Senate Ethics Committee going to approve of the establishment of such a fund? How about instead all co-signers of the letter indicating they would not seat him as the Appointee simply divide his legal bills by 50 instead; and each pays their proportionate share.

- anon - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 7:28 pm:
Here’a hard core Democrat that’s voting Republican in 2 years for US Senate. What a disgrace! How pathetic! First Durbin asks for a pardon for George Ryan. Next, he gives the ok for Roland Burris, the Trailblazer, to be our US Senator for 2 years. What’s next?

- ToughGuy - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 7:49 pm:
There could have been a worse pick, could have been a better pick. I worked for Burris when he was Comptroller and he was alway a pretty reasonable guy and seemed to care about the State.

- Bubs - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 7:56 pm:
I actually predict that Burris will do much better than currently expected as a Senator. After all, he can’t do worse – he is starting from rock bottom.

If he acts in a restrained and sensible manner, and is a responsible Senate voice for both African-Americans and Illinois, who knows in 2010?

- NIEVA - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:12 pm:
Would it be possible to ask the Democrat leaders to join the rest of us and evolve in creatures with spines??

- DzNts - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:14 pm:
The atrocity here is not Burris (and I say that as a lifelong republican). The atrocity is that Dick Durbin has turned his office and his position into a Waffle House. Instead of tea party, I suggest those who are disappointed in the lack of backbone send some thick maple syrup to Durbin’s office. A man who waffles that much needs a little something to coat it with…

Burris’ appointment was legal, like it or not. It could have been avoided by the House approving a special election. They said they were concerned about the costs to local government, yet every year exempt statutes from the unfunded mandate law, creating millions in unfunded mandates on local government. When it’s convenient for them to be concerned (for other political reasons) they waive the unfunded mandate flag, but generally ignore it when less political consequences are involved.

This is a done deal, “mass produced signature” notwithstanding. Durbin is the king of loophooles and backpedaling. We should expect nothing less of our senior senator. Something tells me that people may not forget this little episode 5 years from now…

- GOP'er - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:23 pm:
’bout time.

Blago won this one little round. So what?

Blago just followed the law in this case (thank God for small miracles) and he made a defensible choice. This never should have turned into a circus.

6 months from now this sideshow will be completely forgotten.

- A Citizen - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:32 pm:
Durbin did not use a loophole - he was patently deceitful. That is not an honorable action, it is dishonorable. His actions in this fiasco disgust me. He should resign as he no longer even pretends to represent Illinois’ citizens.

- Dan S, a Voter, Taxpaer and Cubs Fan - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:36 pm:
Here we go, Illinois corruption straight to the Nations Capitol. What a sham. Where are the Satesmen and Public Servants, we have none. Don’t blame me, I have never voted for Dick Turbin!

- Excessively rabid - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:42 pm:
Over the past eight years, the Republicans in the White House and the Congress provided ample reason why they should be thrown out. With this fiasco, the Dems take a giant step toward evening the score. In Illinois the dems were way ahead in the scum sweepstakes anyway, even taking George Ryan into account. This is a truly revolting turn of events for the people of Illinois. Using race to justify it just before the inauguration of our first black president makes it all the worse. The people who painted this as a racial issue should be ashamed of themselves if they had any sense of honesty at all, which they obviously do not. The fact that this decision is not of momentous importance does not diminish its stench.

- lrk - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 8:45 pm:
As a Dem, the only Dem I’ll ever vote for again in this whole mess is White, at least he’s a man of his word. Durbin obviously blows with the wind; and I have no respect for any candidate that would accept an appointment from Blago given the circumstances.

Unfortunately I think 90% of the general voting public will forget about all this come the next election.

- Cinho - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 9:13 pm:
I just hope that we all remember how honorable Jesse White was during all of this. He is the only player who has acted worthy of his office.

- It's Just Me - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 10:19 pm:
Now that is Change I can believe in!!!

- The Forger - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 10:59 pm:
Forgery?
Isn’t that a crime?

- Quizzical - Monday, Jan 12, 09 @ 11:10 pm:
Isn’t Blago swearing in the Senate on Wednesday? Are we headed for a freakshow that will make the Burris debacle seem like years ago?

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