Posted on 01/07/2009 2:10:26 PM PST by malkee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Roland Burris said Wednesday he should be able to join the Senate "very shortly," after talking to newly supportive Democratic leaders and working on lingering legal obstacles. Talking to reporters on the second day of a Washington power odyssey that would intimidate many, the 71-year-old Burris declared himself happy and said he was pleased with his meeting with Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin.
"My whole interest in this experience is to be prepared" to lead Illinois, Burris said, "and very shortly I will have the opportunity to do that."
Burris' legal issues include a pending decision by a court in his home state on whether Secretary of State Jesse White's signature is required on his certification papers and his appearance Thursday before a committee considering the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him to take the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Senate leaders hoped that Burris would be asked under oath Thursday whether he promised Blagojevich anything in exchange for the appointment to Obama's seat. Burris offered his assurances at a news conference Wednesday that he wasn't involved in any such "pay to play."
For his part, Obama stood above the fray, telling his own news conference that the decision on whether to allow Burris to join the Senate is a decision for Senate leaders. He did say that he knew him, liked him and would be happy to work with him if he is seated.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Democrats ultimately get what they want... another Democrat seat in the senate, and at 71, Burris will probably just be a placeholder for the next two years when the Democrat machine can install someone else.
Burris has a LOT more hard-core qualifications than the new fuhrer. And, maybe the big zero can get a loan from the new Big B Senator.
I’m disgusted by what passes for leadership in this country. Not a one of them worth Caligula’s horse.
But, there's going to be a special election, only it will be in 2010. And the stink of Blago will still be filling the empty suit of Roland Burris. May Illinois voters choose wisely this time.
In any case, it's nice to see Reid handed his gonads. Let's see how many more times we can do this in the next four years!
Typical democrats. Put out a bag of excrement and they will step in it every time....
IIRC, this was not his position last week.
It wasn’t. The presstitutes lie. BO supported Reid’s position in so many words.
Yet BO supported Burris in his 2002 run against Blago, IIRC.
I especially like the bit where BO says “I know him, I like him, etc”...that sounds pretty casual, as though he’s distancing himself from him, should he have to throw Burris under the bus.
Frankly, I think we are going to get tired of parsing everything the new president says. Anything he says off message that is unscripted will be “explained” later to the point where the original statement (which was most truthful) will later get lost down the memory hole. Life is too short to spend too much time in this regard.
What a silly and vain man. He plans “to lead Illinois” rather than represent it in the congress of the United States.
Says a lot, doesn’t it?
I knew Reid would fold!
Burris may not stay awake long enought to vote “present”.
The deal is that he will retire in 2010 and Lisa Madigan (Mike’s daughter) gets the nod against a sacrificial Republican lamb.
The Senate deserves him.
I thought Dingy Reid was DICTATOR, now it seems POTUS MUZZIE HUSSEIN is, and has spoken.
GOD BLESS THE USSA!!!!!
Can I please have a hit of what you are snorting?
Can I please have a hit of what you are snorting?
It's the conservative version of "Hope" and "Change"!
Seriously, we saw things turn around mightily in 1994, is it unreasonable to believe in the possibility that voters will pull their heads out of their buns at the same rate after two years of Zero, like they did after two years of Bubba?
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