Under fire to quit, Burris goes about his business

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: Google News

A week of lonely walks, calls for his resignation and cameras following his every move didn't seem to affect the new senator from Illinois. The opposite, actually: Burris spent most of his time digging in.

"He's kept a busy schedule since arriving in Washington, and he's made a point of really going about the business of the Senate," said Burris' spokesman, Jim O'Connor.

Burris, a Democrat, was appointed to the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and driven from office after being accused of trying to sell the Senate seat. Burris is under scrutiny because of new allegations about the circumstances of his appointment and for changing his story about it multiple times.

His week began with a phalanx of television cameras at his office door. Then came calls for his resignation and a more pronounced distance from those who once backed him.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHQcGIZjRFpIViUQywC-356PFd9gD96LDKJG0

[saltpoint]

1. What a mess this has been.

Burris isn't the worst of it but he's far from the best of it, and it is not likely to end well for him.

Not sure what's gong on between Quinn and Madigan but at least one of those two and very likely both want to be Illinois' governor. It would be really interesting to read some transcripts of their telephone calls these days.

Dick Durbin's on board suggesting that Burris might better serve circumstances by not being a U.S. Senator. I'm guessing Burris' staff is smart enough to know that this is not a good sign for their boss' political prospects.

The state Democratic Party will almost certainly back someone else in any special election or (eventual) primary and Burris will be left to leap from the plane without a chute.

[monmouth]

2. Why is it I'm feeling badly for this guy? I mean I know about the allegations

and circumstances of his appointment, and yet I'm feeling badly for him. He's the kind of guy, to me at least, you just want to give a re-assuring hug or pat on the back, for what I have no idea.

[trthnd4jstc]

3. It seems, for Burris, that it is the best job he has ever had. He will have to be impeached and

removed. He does not carry the same sense of honor that some of us possess. He will not resign.

[bigtree]

15. impeached?

He has as much honor as any politician in Congress or in Illinois politics. They've all practiced the same kind of mess to get elected and hold office. They're just more efficient in it.

[Cronopio]

4. Trying to evict the thieves from the temple without destroying the temple is a dicey task.

Unfortunately Blago and Burris just aren't that unusual. What is unusual is that they got caught/fingered.

"A week of lonely walks, calls for his resignation and cameras following his every move didn't seem to affect the new senator from Illinois."

He was appointed legally so why should that have affected him? Do people actually think he's going to give up real power out of shame? Would most people?

[Amerigo Vespucci]

5. You're right...he won't give it up.

He'll either ride out the media storm with his power intact, or it will be taken away from him.

"Politics" and "Real Life" is somewhat "Movies" and "Real Life."

In the movies, Bruce Willis single-handedly defeated a small army of German terrorists in "Die Hard." But that wasn't really Bruce Willis. It was Bruce Willis playing a New York cop, John McClain.

In real life, Bruce Willis might piss his pants if a menacing stranger demanded his wallet while walking down the street. Or not.

:patriot:

[Cronopio]

16. Agreed, the dramatics are what corrupt the political game. If it weren't so corrupt ...

... politicians wouldn't have time for the petty dramatics, they'd be too busy doing their damn job.

[MUAD_DIB]

9. If not shame then what about perjury?

[Cronopio]

17. Perjury would motivate an impeachment, but not Burris.

He wouldn't even care if you proved the perjury. As I'm sure he learned from G.W. Bush, Rove, and his buddy Blago, a lie doesn't have to be believed, just tolerated.

[bigtree]

11. 'thieves?'

what did he steal?

[Cronopio]

14. You're right, the temple analogy doesn't work.

That was just the first thing that came to mind when thinking about someone capturing a political office with the intent only to exploit it for personal gain, not for any public interest.

[SoCalDem]

18. Ted Steven would not "give it up" and he was CONVICTED of 7 felonies

He was under indictment for MONTHS, and the senate just commiserated with him for his "troubles", and went on their merry way. They even threw him a "going away party" when he finally limped off the stage..

If they now throw out Burriss, he WILL make a racial issue out of it, and he would be correct in some ways.. By NOT dumping Teddy, they cannot now throw out Burriss, so the senate just needs to get over it..

[nevergiveup]

6. This is a terrible situation

and will probably cost us a Senate seat. Illinois may be blue but it will at the toss of a hat elect a Republican for this senate seat. Our best chance for holding on to this seat would be if Burris would resign now but his reality index is out of whack and he is stubborn as hell. I know many moderates who voted for Obama who will vote for just about any Republican in 2010 over Burris. If Burris is defeated in the primary there will be hell to pay from Chicago's black community. It is rapidly becoming a no-win situation.

[rpannier]

7. Burris has said he's not running for the seat in 2010

At least that was what I read last -- Illinois voter living overseas

[livvy]

8. He reminds me of Mr. Magoo.

I've been trying to think who it was he reminded me of, and the quotes above finally made it click. An unobtrusive, funny little man who just doesn't get it, and muddles through life.

[Elidor]

13. He's the little man who wasn't there

I saw a man upon the stair
A little man who wasn't there
He wasn't there again today
Gee, I wish he'd go away

[Thickasabrick]

10. Does his memorial have his senator status up yet?? eom

[bigtree]

12. as well he should

[classysassy]

19. Are the rascals

afraid sen burris will taint the good ole boys and gals club.?Another crook want tarnish your reps.

[rug]

20. He's tough.