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Burris denied seat in U.S. Senate to succeed Obama

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LMAO | 10:16 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The Dems sure love their drama.
What? | 10:19 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Does this mean that Blagojevich will have to give back the money?
no surprise | 10:20 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The liberal wackos won't seat a black man appointed by their corrupt, but still lawfully elected Democrat Governor. We have all heard that Mr. Obama's seat is a BLACK seat and BETTER go to a black man or women! Meanwhile, liberal hacks are salivating over the the stolen election in Minnesota. The race to declare white man Al Franken the winner of the recount shows the Democrat leadership to be the same old racist that they have always been. No surprise.
Comments continue below
George | 10:22 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Let me get this straight, the democrats are having problems with Burris, Al Franken, and Carolyn Kennedy. Yes, I can see that this is a party of unity. Go Obama.
George (part 2) | 10:55 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
two weeks to go for Prez Obama and we already have this. What's new? Bill Richardson has dropped out, and Feinstein is opposing Peneta as head of the CIA. Again, it looks like a party of unity, racism aside.
Jason | 11:00 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Why does this story describe this as "a spectacular demonstration of political gridlock" when it's the Democratic Senate leadership denying an appointment of a Democratic Senator by a Democratic governor?
And why would anyone think this has anything to do with Burris' race?
IT'S A BLACK SEAT! | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Sen. Reid won't seat a duly appointed black man. That makes it about race. Your obviously not a democrat and don't know how thing work in our party. Butt out!
Where's the beef? | 11:26 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The platform was one of change. Obama came onto the sceen claiming that if McCain was elected it would in essence be a third Bush term. McCain wasn't elected,but we are going to get that third term, but this time it will be one of Democrat corruption and not republican. Hope we all can live with such a change. George.
Re.: Jason @ 11:00am | 11:25 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The reason anyone would think this has to do with race is because that is the failsafe fallback argument. It usually forces people to back away from their opposition to someone so that they are not tagged with being a racist.

Think through this ... a corrupt govenor selects a replacement based on race (all other things aside) & yet the people opposing it are called racists? ... Has logic really died?
What the Heck... | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Did Buress expect? Poor choices on his end, he should have refused, and accepted it later. What an idiot.
brian | 11:56 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009
democrats have ever been able to lead it is in their DNA.
No surprise indeed | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
It's no surprise that some partisan Utahns want to use recent events to sling mud at the Democratic party. How quickly they seem to have forgotten the improprieties of Mark Foley, Larry Craig, Ted Stevens, George Ryan, and plenty of others. It seems that neither party is exempt from scandal. Holier-than-thou readers would do well to remember that.
Re: no surprise | 12:08 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
No surprise wrote: "The race to declare white man Al Franken the winner of the recount shows the Democrat leadership to be the same old racist that they have always been."

This is a bizarre comment on a number of fronts, but especially because both candidates in that race are Caucasian. But let's not let the facts get in the way of a good(?) accusation.
Dave from Midvale | 12:21 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
TO: "IT'S A BLACK SEAT"

"Sen. Reid won't seat a duly appointed black man. That makes it about race. Your obviously not a democrat and don't know how thing work in our party. Butt out!"

I REALLY HOPE THIS STATEMENT WAS TONGUE IN CHEEK!!!

The seat appointment MUST be ratified by the signature of the governor AND the Attorney General (which confirms the approval of the legislature/legislative branch of the government). That's why there was so much focus on the views of the Illinois legislature on the governors appointment.

Sen. Reed or Fienstein had NOTHING to do with his credentials being rejected. . . that was the secretary of the senate that did that. his credentials DID NOT HAVE THE SIGNATURE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ILLINOIS!!! Pure and simple.

Now, if people think this is a "black senate seat;" they've got another thing coming. If the next person who is appointed PROPERLY is white, man or woman, and is not seated BECAUSE THEY ARE WHITE. That racist move will see such a backlash that you can't even imagine.
MetricWrench | 12:59 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
THE SENATE SEATS ARE NOT WHITE OR BLACK!!! They are more of a dark gray with a reddish brown upholstery.

To say it belongs to a black person is racist! It belongs to the people of Illinois. Color means nothing, unless you judge people by their color which makes you a racist.
Buress wants to secure the seat | 1:10 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
All Buress really wants to do by showing up at the capitol and meeting the press is to make sure that he is covered in the media, so that when a new Governor is chosen, that person doesn't appoint somebody else.

Because, I am sure that Buress would much rather be appointed by a legitimate governor, but he doesn't want to loose his chance.
@metricWrench | 2:35 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
The only ones judging people by the color of their skin are the fine democrats. And, yes, they are racists for so doing.
Black seat | 3:14 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
It is liberal politicians that are complaining that a black appointee is not being seated because of racism.
That's your party. That party of skin color, first, last and always.

I for one have not forgotten about Foley, Ryan, Clinton, Reynolds, Blago, Rostenkowski,and all the other career politicians you love and from which you derive hope and change.

The lack of partisanship doesn't bother me. I think the idiotic Repulican party should stand back and let the looney's on the left pass all of their insane bills. Unfortunately, too many Republicans are as nutty as the libs.
try again | 3:20 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Pick up a Chicago newspaper or go online. Obama's former Senate seat is traditionaly a black seat and Chicago Pol's want to keep it that way.
Tounge n cheek? no, that's the liberal machine. Deal with it.
Point on White or Black | 3:34 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Response to: IT'S A BLACK SEAT! Contrary to what you stated that this is a race issue, I respectfully suggest to you that it is not. If Mr. Burress happened to be White, instead of Black, he would still be rejected for exactly the same reason. His credential is not legally and properly signed by the Illinois Secretary of State with the appropriate Seal of the State of Illinois affixed thereon.
Steve - It isn't a RACE issue | 3:36 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
RE: "no surprise" at 10:20 a.m. today (1/6/09)...

The denial of Buress isn't a race issue, it has nothing to do with the fact that he's black.

The reason his seat is being refused is due to who appointed him (Governor B. of "sell this Obama senate seat" fame). Even if that governor had named a white man or woman to the job they'd have refused the nominee/appointee.

The issue is they feel after the Governor trying to sell the senate position that it's tainted, that a cloud of suspicion would hang over whoever he appointed.

There is currently an effort to impeach Gov. Blagojevich by the Illinois Legislature. So it's my guess that no replacement for Obama's position will be accepted until after he's been impeached and the new Governor names someone OR they'll have a special election.

It's just Burris and his supporters who are playing the race card. Like many do when faced with negativity, they just assume it has to do with the color of their skin.
GTO | 3:39 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Hey! Let him have his seat! He paid good money for it! Only in the Democratic party would this ever happen. Democrats=corruption. Obama didn't fool me either, he is as corrupt as his fellow dems: Hillary, Barney Frank, Ted Kennedy, Wm. Jefferson, et al.
Gov. B | 4:20 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Appointed Burris but the Liberals won't seat him because of The Gov's ethical issues?
Now I'm supposed to believe liberals are concerned about ethics and not race?
Ken | 4:26 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This is utter foolishness, to think that the senate seat in illinois is either black, white or any other color. Illinois desperatly needs a good moral person in that position. Surely, somewhere in that great state there lives such a person. I do not believe the current governor should have one bit of a say in who that person should be. I think you would have to be half crazy to want anything to do with national politics anyway. They need to find that one good man.
Re: GTO | 4:29 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
You need to learn five things about Democrats: #1:They are never corrupt, just ask them! #2: You always have to look at what they say, never at what they actually do! #3: If they are caught, they are never convicted, punished or have to resign in disgrace. #4: Most politicians think they are elected to serve, Democrats think they are annointed to rule because they really know what's best for you. #5: It's Bush's fault. These are the differences and once you understand these things, you will be well on your way to understand them!
Ken, I dunno... | 5:03 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
One honest politician in Illinois? I suppose stranger things have happened.

Let me know how that works out!
dumb | 5:05 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
This guy is not obviously not very bright for even accepting the nomination in the first place. Whether he really is connected to the corrupt governor or not, accepting this nomination raises questions in peoples' gut. He has no credibility. He should have gracefully declined.
Re: GTO | 5:07 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Trying to understand liberals is like standing in a bucket and trying to pick the bucket up by it's handle.
Beth | 5:31 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Whoa! One of the few times that I have agreed with Harry Reid?!?! I'm flabbergasted!

Blago was using corrupt means to choose a replacement for Obama. In the midst of these allegations why would anyone recognize who he has chosen as a replacement? If Burris really wanted the seat he should have publicly rejected it based on the current situation.

Instead he condemns Blago but accepts it anyway? My friend stole me this cupcake and I know that it was wrong for him to do, but even though I could give it back I'm just going to stand here and eat it in front of all of you.
Real Reason | 8:23 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Let's eliminate all the hype regarding this issue and get to the REAL FACTS as quoted in the story. The real (and only reason) why Burris was not seated today was because he did not provide the proper credentials which requires a signature/certification by the Illinois Secretary of State. It has nothing to do with the "cloud" created by Governor of Illinois when he selected Mr. Burris, or Harry Reid's political posturing. Unless the Supreme Court of Illinois decides the Secretary of State cannot legally deny the credential certification, nothing is going to happen until the Governor is removed or resigns from office.

That's the real scoop folks - let's keep this discussion in proper legal perspective.
mark | 8:49 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
Wow, the right wing nut jobs are out in force today on this board.
Re: real reason | 8:59 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
But it is so much more fun making wild and outrageous accusations like liberals have been doing for the past eight years.
I would except more of this. Alot more.
Jerry Blauer | 10:42 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
What mindless fighting and childish namecalling. Liberal, Right-wingers, Racist,etc... Grow up and start fighting for the Constitution and the Rule of Law, which is being corrupted on a state level. From there it goes to a regional and national level. Don't forget our soon to be gone President, who has done more to destory the constitution than anyone else.
You're Right | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009
re: Jerry Blauer 10:42 Jan 6.

You are right Mr. Blauer, but it is a shame that the soon-to-be Iman Obama will not change things as he promised before the election. He will continue to maintain the military in Iraq, Afganistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, etc. Spying on Americans will continue. He will continue to have the military fire missiles into Pakistan. He will refuse to recognize gay marriages.
the separation between the poor, middle class, and rich will get larger, so that all that is left is the poor and rich.
No Mr. Blauer, there is no change, he will continue on with King George's policy. there is no change, corruption in all the polical parties will continue.
George.

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Associated Press

Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday.

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