I will be live blogging this, so stay with me on this post.
Watch live stream.
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/live.html?chanId=5 (might be over by the time you see this)
Governor Blago has appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as Barack Obama’s replacement in the US Senate.
Look here for more updates as the fun unfolds.
The fun part is watching Harry Reid with egg on his face as he reacts, since he has made it verrrrrrrry clear that the special private club in the Senate would not accept any appointment made by Governor Blagojevich.
Burris served as state attorney general from 1991 to 1995. He earlier served as state comptroller, and made history as the first black elected to statewide office.
Here’s the problem before Ole Harry (besides his earlier claim that he will not accept any appointment from Blago):
Blagojevich’s announcement complicates matters for the Illinois House panel examining grounds for his impeachment. Now that the governor had appointed a replacement, if that placement is accepted by the Senate, the scenario could implicitly affirm the governor’s authority.
Somehow, I also imagine that Jesse Junior’s shorts are in a bunch over this as well.
UPDATE 3;30 EST: Bobby Rush just spoke on behalf of Burris. I am working on finding a video. Earlier this month, Rush said that it would be a “National Disgrace” if an African American were not appointed to replace Barack Obama in the Senate.
UPDATE 3:47 EST: From Washington Post:
Burris won the endorsement of Obama, then a state senator, but lost to — you guessed it — Blagojevich.
Rejecting Burris out of hand — as Senate Democrats appear ready to do — could create problems. While those close to Senate strategists insist that the refusal to seat Burris has nothing to do with him and everything to do with Blagojevich, turning down a black former elected official to replace the lone black senator might not sit well in some circles.
….snip….
Blagojevich’s choice of Democrat Roland Burris “is emblematic of the old-school, pay-to-play culture that has plagued Illinois for generations and this appointment is another embarrassment for the people of Illinois,” said Illinois GOP Chairman Andy McKenna.
I guess somebody forgot to tell Mr. McKenna that Barack Obama endorsed Burris when he was running against Blagojevich.
So far, Barack Obama has no comment on this happening.
UPDATE 4:00 EST:
Bobby Rush Quote:
Contressman Bobby Rush, a Democrat who represents the city’s South Side, said at the press conference that Burris would provide a needed African-American presence in the U.S. Senate and there was “no rhyme or reason” to refuse to seat Burris.
“I applaud the governor for his decision and I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer,” Rush said. “Separate the appointee from the appointer. Roland Burris is worthy.”
UPDATE 5:09 EST
Harry Reid’s aide, upon hearing Blago was going to appoint Burris, said this:
Majority Leader Harry Reid views Burris as “unacceptable,” the aide said
Shoulds picked Jesse Junior, Blago. Harry would have figured out a way to renig on his promise not to approve anybody you appoint. And Barack would be falling all over that one too. So what if he’s “Candidate#5″ who ‘didn’t’ send his friends to raise money for you for the appointment.
This story still has not interrupted Barack Obama’s vacation in Hawaii. Not even for five minutes. Well, heck, Russia attacking Georgia didn’t interrupt his vacation either!
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Filed under: Barack Obama, Congress, Governor Blagojevich, Harry Reid, Miscellaneous Government Stupidity, My Kinda Town, Chicago, Senate
--Graphic by Freedom Fairy
--Graphic by Dances With Pumas
"This is not culture. This is not custom. This is criminal."
I think Harry just needs a little time to get a colored water foutain put in.
yeah Jesse is probably having a kitteh. this is better than the Caroline appt. did Bobby Rush say this is a “lynching” if the Reid turns him down?
he’s swearing to take it to the Black Caucus if he has to. OMG.
what a move Blago.
Check out update.
If anybody can find video on this press conference please toss it my way, including Bobby Rush’s remarks.
I was just laughing. They’ve thrown down the gauntlet, which one of you fine Senators wants to be known as the one who blocked the appointment of America’s only black Senator? Heh, heh, race bating swings around and bites the Dems in the butt.
It’s also kind of funny, Blago is not going to sit down and be a good boy. He knows many of those who point fingers at him are just as guilty as him and he’s more than happy to play dirty. I go down, you go down.
I know yttk. Is this a riot or what. Somebody croaked about Burris’ lack of experience. Oh you don’t mean like Caroline, do you?
I hate to say this but this was a brilliant move on Blago’s part.
Yes it was, no one ever said he wasn’t a shrewd politician.
He certainly is getting the last laugh so to speak. He’s boxed them all into a nice little corner.
I”m LMAO!
Harry must be twitching by now.
and blago is home sayiing, I fixed those Motherf**kers!
Touche,Blago!
Hey Mary, I am honored to have joined you in Uppity’s Spam folder due to racist comments.
It’s mighty dark in here and Bill looks rabid and pissed.
Oh man, the gotcha moment for Blago=
“AUDACITY, MEET ARROGANCE”
Too good…see, there’s no honor among thieves.
It sure is fun to watch them turn on each other=
ET TU BRUTE’??
Yes Uppity, brilliant move.
Rrrrofl….and here we thought we wouldn’t have
a happy new year in some quarters……
SO GOOD TO HAVE OUR “FAITH” IN THE
CHICAGO MOB REINFORCED….HEE HEE
(sniffle)
laughing in tears!
GASP! Is Mary racist, DE? NOOOOOOOO!!
Yeah, I got stuck in spam for commenting
about the past election being so expensive
and all we would up with, after that, was this
shitty PEBO.
Sad but true Hal. My blog was called a skinhead hangout today by a lovely kind and gentile stranger.
But if you want to see what racism really looks like google Clayton Bigsby and watch the video at Metacafe
Come on UW at least put Mary and me out of our misery and delete us from your spam purgatory.
Reid must have his knickers in a knot about now….
Hey! That kind of shit gets blogs shut down. Then where would you all go??? Now why do you want to turn this perfectly fun thread into a pissing match with me? You should SEE some of the shit I keep from you guys.
UW stop cussing or Bill will deal with you too. He’s feeling quite playful with his Blog awards and all.
By the way, Mary, I had no idea you landed in spam till DE mentioned it. As you know, you often DO land there.
I have been very busy working on my next post, but nobody has found that video for me of Bobby Rush this morning. I found it at Huffys place but I can’t embed it and I will be damned if I send a link to there from my blog. So I am in a busy conundrum trying to solve this.
And in four yer Rush wesl trll ud tht the EWhitr ousr had yo go to a black. I’d called entltlement, Caroline.
Do you want me to grab the video and upload it to my youtube account?
Bill has already run my charge card DE. I have no idea what to do with him.
You know, I can see Rush’s point because it’s true that there has been only ONE black person in the senate. It is very obvious. The FUN part comes in that Blago took full advantage of it and now Ried is barfing in the men’s room. Karma is such a bitch.
I’ll try again: In 4 yrs Rush will tell us that the White House has to go to another black. It’s called entitlement, Caroline.
Racist and proud of it!
Bill would never dump mary into spam. He knows I always stick up for him.
No, it’s that sneaky, snarky, sly pernguin who did it.
Hey Uppity, great New Year’s News. Blago socked it to em! personally, I think Blago just wanted a guy with similiar initials. ok I know that’s bad
There is a video at Breitbart TV
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=250753
Also, links thru Breitbart News to Bobby Rush’s comments too.
I’m uploading the video now I’ll give you the link when it’s done processing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4dgO4DYLO8
Bobbie Rush comment
Uppity Woman, at 4:40 PM “I ha”e to say this but this was a brilliant move on Blago’s part.”
It took me so damn long to retype my illegible comments that you beat me to it, UW.
This guy is strictly stockyards, but he is not lacking in spite and guile.
Now, I do not like popcorn (it squeaks in my teeth and,besdies, it isn’t chocolate), but I’ll take the family size tub for this one.
Mary take those mittens off when you type. it helps.
did you train your dragon yet?
Thanks Hon, I found it on youtube . I have a new post up, everybody.
raGing,
Thr mittens have to be off, not on? Oh.
Thanks again for the encourgement. I read the instructions, then didn’t have thr nerve to try it. I will for sure this week.
Wonderful article Uppity! This seriously bothers me because although I know what is going down with the Governor, Burris in my opinion is qualified. Plus, there was a good point made. That seat will be forever tarnished to a certain degree. Let him hold it until 2010 to remove the taint and then let someone come in and run. I think he stated he won’t be running.
But what bothers me is Senator Reid. I am not throwing out the *race card* but I can understand the concept of wanting a black person in the seat considering there will be zero in the U.S Senate. Plus, look at the ratio of females, hell minorities period and it does not look good.
But the source of my issues actually lies with the fact that Senator Reid can call Gov Patterson to appoint Caroline Kennedy to a Senate seat when she can barely construct a sentence. Over 130 “you knows” in a interview? Come on. That is what is bothering me. He will go to bat for her, hell even Lieberman, but not Burris who is more than qualified?
Women and minorities are about to become endangered species in our government. This entire election has been a joke where the Dems want the most unqualified for positions by overlooking them and putting those they can manage in positions.
Burris is a threat to Obama. He has something Obama had to manufacture. Just watch. The Dems made a huge mistake. Because if Black dem leaders start closing ranks to back Burris they are going to be in trouble. Obama is going to lose the black vote or it wont be as strong as it was. He came out against Burris. Blogojevich & Burris both have AA support. Obama had to *manufacture* it.
If they appoint Caroline Kennedy and not him or if they deny it there is going to be a blowback. People overestimated the AA support for Obama. But researching Burris, his achievements, and his ability to come back to his community afterwards is important.
Hell they are even closing ranks on the AA message boards about this since Obama came out with his statement on Burris. Now that they realize that under Obama qualified blacks and qualified women, military and the LBJ community are all going up under the closest bus. I thought when this day came I would be screaming *told ya so*, with a smile. But it hurts. We have not came a long way and we never will until we all have equal representation. Now, it’s not about Burris, it’s about the fact that Senator Reid and company have buried the final nail with Obama wielding the hammer.
You are righteously correct, soldier. Burris is a star next to Caroline. Caroline is an embarrassment to professional women everywhere. It’s very sad because now that she opened her mouth, her mystique is gone forever. But Burris can do this job and it is absolutely true that, given the percentages, an AA should take that job. I would bristle if I didn’t think he was qualified but he is at least as qualified as anybody else they could come up with and far more qualified than Caroline, who is getting the royal treatment from the Kennedy clan in the senate. It’s just not fair.
soldier4hillary,
Enjoyed your comment and learned from it. Thanks.
Obama maybe has one–a teeny, tiny one. Blago, on the other hand, has three–biggies, too.
The expression on Blago’ face is worth the price of admission. He is, literally, sticking out his tongue at the whole damn Dem . hierarchy. And enjoying himelf immensely.