Rep. Maxine Waters on CSPAN now, 6:40amCT. on Burris and more. nt

[babylonsister]

[malaise]

1. Watching

She's right - the Burris appointment is not about race - the appointment is legal.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Sadly, It Is About Race...

I've known Roland Burris for nearly 30 years...and it's kinda sad to see this guy playing the race and god cards. He won his races cause he downplayed those things...the only way he could have won enough suburban and downstate vote to win statewide election in those days. But now he's into it for personal glory as it is for public service and has gone along with Blago's cyincal game that has taken the heat off of him and put it on both Burris, Reid and subsequently President Obama.

While Burris' appointment is very legal and Reid should seat him immediately, it's still shameful to see how this selection turned into such a fiasco. We'll surely learn more once Blago is indicted and evidence comes forth, but it was shameful for him and others to play the race card that they knew the corporate media would obsess on.

All things considered, Burris should be a safe vote and Blago could have made a worse pick. Reid stepped in it and got played by Blago...not the first, not the last.

:hi:

[bigtree]

7. he doesn't have any more of an ego problem than any other Senator

I think he's conducted himself is a low key manner as possible, considering the spotlight on his selection because of Blago's scandal.

God forbid he he sees himself as someone who can make a difference in the position. God forbid he actually takes some pride in the appointment.

The only 'heat' has come from Reid's decision to bar him from the Senate. Now we hear he will negotiate to try and limit whatever future ambition Burris may have for the position. Illinois has already spoken on the appointment through their legislature who failed to take the authority to appoint out of the governor's hands. Reid has no business in trying to direct Illinois politics from his high office.

If Reid saw room to negotiate he should have done it before the swearing-in instead of stringing the man out and making him look like some criminal associate of Blago.

All of the critics who accuse Burris of some untoward ambition will be hard pressed to find where this man has abused his public office in any way. But some will still try and taint him for stepping up and accepting this important responsibility. But the lawful exercise of authority in advancing him will count for nothing as Blago faces charges in a court of law. So much for whatever game Blago's seen as 'playing.'

We should give the man room to exercise his duties and then judge him on those actions (as well as his past actions as a public official in Illinois), instead of continuing to smear him with these selective charges of 'personal glory' which is nothing more than his pride in being chosen to serve.

[KharmaTrain]

9. I Agree With You

Don't misunderstand...I'm calling Blago out on using Burris and playing the race card to deflect attention away from his own political mess. Burris is a very good man and I've said is probably as good a pick...not just on his race, but on his experience and merits. His selection was very legal and the handling by this by both the Illinois legislature and now the Senate have created the circuses.

The deal is that Blago was required to make this selection. Had he not done so, he would have been derelict in his duties. The Illinois legislature could have stripped him of the power to make an appointment, but didn't have the spine. They got spooked when the GOOP began to blitz the TV calling for a special election. Thus Blago still had the power and the requirement to fill the vacancy and to do so before the new Senate convened. Reid doesn't have a pot to piss in. And with picking Burris, Blago could have done a lot worse.

Yes...as an Illinois Democrat, I have no problems with Mr. Burris' credentials or track record and will gladly view his record in two years based on its merits, not the Blago show.

Cheers...

[adadem]

8. Totally agree with you

Lived in Chicago and surrounding area for 30 some years and always held Burris in the highest esteem.

This is tarnishing him and it makes me sick. I do believe he would not proceed as he is if the law was not behind his actions but this is just not "playing out" right. UGH!

[goclark]

2. What is she saying?

Maxine has been mighty quiet for the last year.

As I recall she didn't mention a word about taking impeachment off the table etc.

[malaise]

3. They're discussing the New Rules now

I love them.

[goclark]

6. I think they should seat him now

At first I didn't. :shrug:

[babylonsister]

5. Some crank asking about Obama's birth certificate - again.

How boring.