Boy oh boy, Burris-mania bombards DC

Burris should NOT be seated in the Senate. I think he and others in the Senate should stop acting like bratty children having a bunch of tmper tantruns and think of what is good for the Country instead. Sounds to me like somebody needs their "nappy naps" changed

When you are discovered trying to sell a Senate seat, you should not be allowed to now fill that very seat, while still under investigation.

You can do the rest of your job... because no one accused you of misconduct in that area.

But you shouldn't get to pick the new Senator when that is the very crime you are accused of.

Get it now? And Burris... if you can't follow this logic, then you might be the wrong guy for the job... remember "avoiding the appearance of impropriety?" You are supposed to understand what that means when you reach your level of government.

I'm torn because Burris didn't do anything wrong (as far as we know). If Blagojevich was under investigation for something unrelated to the Senate seat, then I would be for seating Burris. It's just too crazy for him to appoint the new Senator while he's under investigation for trying to sell that seat.

I completely understand the severity of the accusations against Gov. Blagojevich BUT, what happened to "INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY?" He is STILL the governor of Illinois and has the right to make this appointment. So...YES, Burris should be allowed to sit in the US Senate.

Leave this man alone, he is clean and he got
his seat very legal. what;s the problem? And why
is everyone overwhelmed and making this a huge
circus.

Hi everyone!

While technically and legally Burris and Blagojevich have a point, there is also a moral and ethical dimension that needs to be considered. Burris had a chance to be a bigger man by declining it from the guy whose acts he called reprehensible just days before receiving the appointment.

There's a first time for everything, and that's how laws are made. Trial and error. Burris should have the common sense to know right from wrong, and to seated by a corrupt politician (another person who disregards doing the right thing) is wrong.

Burris should sit back and let the lawyers handle this- but he seems "really" upset. Kind of suspicious don't you think?

We all believe that Balogevich has used poor Burress to create a great argument when this goes before the State Supreme Court. What a terrible way to taint a reputable mans political and public service career! Down with Balogevich!

If I were Senator Burris; I would want to take office without question, free & clear, and not tied to any aligations. In many cases, time is your friend so I think for his protection, he should wait.

On my first post I incorrectly spelled Blagojevich's name, but now I do believe I have came up with a new last name for him! BLOG-a-VICH!!!

If Burris is the upstanding citizen that he's reported to be, he should understand that by attempting to force himself into the Senate makes him a part of the same corruption that appointed him. It only showes that he doesn't care about his State, only the Seat.

the question is not if Mr. Burris is qualified or if the Gov. of Illinois has the right to appoint him or not. The problem is no one knows if Mr.. Burris bought the seat or not

EVERYONE THINKS THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE SAT BUT THE WAY WE SEE IT IS IF YOU ARE A TRUE TO BELIEVER IN THE COURT SYSTEM AND THE LAWS WRITTEN FOR EVERYONE IN THE USA DOES IN NOT SAY YOU ARE INOCENT TIL PROVEN GUILTY ? SO AT THIS POINT AND TIME BLAGOJEVICH IS INOCENT SO BURRIS SHOULD BE SAT ......

The senate seat is at the heart of the controversy. It is not some unrelated issue. That is why it should be handled differently. And maybe Burris should have considered turning down the appointment by Blagovich. He should have been leary of accepting anything from someone who is hot water. It has been said that people in DC disassociate themselves from an outgoing president even though the president didn't do anything wrong.. Why not disassociate from a person being charged with a crime?

In my opinion if Burris gets to take the seat (job) then why don't the rest of us go to the White House and demand our job. If they can be bullied into letting him keep this position then what is that showing the rest of the world? If he wants the job then he should have not taken it under these circumstances. The one that appointed him was found trying to sell the seat so who knows for sure if Burris wasn't one that was paying for it also. Both should be out and if Burris is still interested in the position after he is cleared then let him run in the next election. Both men's Bank records should be requested in the investigation including there spouses bank accounts. If either is guilty they can find a paper trail, no matter what there is always a paper trail.

The governor is only accused. Not convicted.
The only reason Burris is not allowed in the Senate is they do not want him there, for whatever reason.
If the current system allows the govenor to still appoint and no one likes it, then change the system. Too late for this situation but change it for the future.
Remember Bill Clinton was accused of many things and proven to have lied under oath but his appointments and even his pardons when leaving office were still honored.
What a place we live!

If Burris meets the requirements set forth by the Constituion then he should be seated end of story. The matters of what Blagojevich is accused of and Burris being seated are two different issues. People want to scream that their Constitutional rights have been violated if anyhting infringes on what they think their rights may be, but if those same people disagree with something that has been allowed by the same document then they want to point out other things so that the Constitutional arguement takes a back seat when it should always be the first arguement made. People can not have it both ways. The Constitution is the standard bearer, it is the double edged sword that the American people "live and die" by. If there are no legal objections to be made then there is no arguement.

BURRIS WAS THE 4th OR 5th PICK OF BLAGOJEVICH, BUT DUE TO THE PAY TO PLAY CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, THE BEST AND HONEST CANDIDATES WERE NOT PICKED.

Why not seat him?? The gov was elected and is not charged yet and has done what he's supposed to do, appoint a man that is qualified. You have a gov in New York who was not elected appointing a candidate who is not qualified and nobody says anything. What we should be doing is unseating the people in the house and senate that have screwed everything up and seating a qualified candidate for senate that will have to run in several years. That is the time to unseat him if he hasn't done his job.

Burris should be seated. The governor that appointed him was still a seated and valid governor. To deny him this is to act upon conjecture and rumors. There may be charges, there may be an arrest, but when Burris was appointed, it was done so by a valid and seated Governor. BE FAIR and provide equal treatment to this man.

I think Burris could be a credible senator and i think that Blagojevich is " innocent until proven guilty ". Blagojevich's actions shouldn't affect Burris in anyway until he is either proven guilty or acquited of the charges. If Blagojevich is proven guilty I think there should be an investigation towards Burris.

Let see, "he spent years as in Illinois politics" that sums it up. Corrupt. Corrupt.

Burris shouldn't be seated. It has nothing to do with his race OR his ability to do his job. It's the fact that he was chosen by a man who is under investigation for selling that very senate seat. I believe it's completely improper. On top of that, Burris needs to realize the harm he's doing to himself politically by simply being associated with Blagojevich.

This is scary. The majority has ignored our right to be free from punishment until our due process rights have been fully afforded. The Governor may be guilty but not until a jury says so. All US citizens are allowed to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Again, he may be. the dangerous part is that the majority is OK with acting as if he is guilty BEFORE. First the Governor loses his rights, then you and me. We should NOT fall into this quagmire. Further, the appointee certainly has done nothing wrong. I shudder to think that the authority to do my job would be halted simply upon accusation. It could be you next. Come on guys!!!!!

Under the circumstances and the country's need to move forward I find this equivelant to a national security threat. Now is not the time for the Senate to be sidetracked by such a petty problem. It appears that Mr. Burris has had a profound career in working for the people. It is a test of his character that he allow this appointment to disrupt the more important issues. He is working for himself in this matter, not the people. He should take note of Mr. Richardson's decision not to take Commerce Secretary.

I feel that Burris should be allowed the Senate Seat. Like a gentleman said earlier, if the Illinois Governor is still allowed to make decisions on everything else, why can't he appoint the seat. If there is no proof of Burris buying the seat or has no other conflicting ties to the Governor, he should be allowed the seat. It's not fair to punish a qualified person for something he is not involved in. In the case of the Governor, if he were black and all these allegations came on his plate, you best believe he would already be sentenced to somebody's prison.

I think members of congress who try to block burris from the senate need to be given a test on the constituation. those who score less 80% should cost their state a re-election. Let's see how each fares.
These legislators need to be reminded that their power only exists in D.C.; I'd like a shot at their position. I have a masters' degree and cant find employment so I know I would have more gratitude than any of them and I'd certainly be fair.

I sit in Mississippi, a white Mississippian, stunned at the exquisite irony of yet another black man turned away. I remember James Meredith, turned away [I must admit, AT THAT TIME, to my youthful glee] from my beloved Ole Miss, albeit for political reasons which I – as a white teenager in Mississippi – did not then grasp. I have learned many of life's lessons since those days, Mississippi and Ole Miss have learned those lessons. Roland Burris is welcome in my home. I have no doubt Roland Burris is welcome at Ole Miss. Yet the United States Senate Social Club persists, solely for political reasons which are not pertinent to the law or to Mr. Burris' qualifications, in yet again standing at the door of the Senate, (much as our then-Governor Ross Barnett stood to bar Mr. Meredith,) to bar yet another qualified black man from entry to yet another hall, for naked political [ELECTABILITY!] reasons.

I have spent over 7 years of my life pursuing federal legislation to amend the 1920s Death on the High Seas Act for commercial maritime victims. A former chair and co-chair of the Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation did absolutely nothing to help his deceased constituent amend the 1920s law. Now that he has lost re-election after being convicted for corruption, Congress wants to seat another Senator whose ethics are in question?! I am disgusted and outraged not only with Congress but with American voters. The Senate seat is not about one person. It is Americans last hope for justice for those of us who have sacrificed and lost in the US judicial system because a law does not apply to protect us from the big business that bought-out our Congress to begin.

burris, in pursuing this seat, is accomplishing only one thing... making himself look desperate. it is a travesty that he is injecting race into this already messy equation. anyone with an ounce of self respect and dignity would have declined the offer, or at least taken the position that they would only assert their claim to the senate seat after the allegations against the appointer has been resolved. in the end there may only be one winner in this whole debacle... the embattled governor.

1. Here to fore this situation was about blagojavich.
2. I was reserving my opinion until Burris tried to enter the senate floor without the completed and signed paper work required. This demonstrates to me that he is cutting corners right out of the shoot. Is this a 'not so subtle' indication that he considers himself above the law? Does he not have to follow the same rules as the rest of the senators?
3. My vote? Please kick this clown to the curb. He is far to eager, which makes me question his true motives. Thanks, John

It seems to me that it’s not even a case of “innocent until proven guilty”, as yet, he hasn’t been charged with anything. Allegations have been made, sure, and an investigation is underway. “If” that investigation finds that there is enough evidence to charge Blagojevich with something, then he would fall under the category or “innocent until proven guilty” At this moment though, he’s not charged with a thing, not even J-walking.

yes he should be sat. blagojevich is under investigation, not burris. if it comes to pass that burris was involved in wrongdoings and is convicted, then he will be removed. i'm sure the senate has procedures to deal with this as in the case of ted stevens.

ted stevens i'm sure was working while under investigation and while being tried. even after being convicted he showed up to work – because he was appealing the court's decision.

so, it seems that he's not asking the senate to do something extraordinary for him.

just seat him and let due process – innocent until proven guilty – take it's course.

I don't think that Burris should be seated; if at all possible they should hold a special election of some kind to see if that is the publics choice.I belive that somehow it should be up to the people of the state of ILL.to decide.

Our elected officials are that 'elected' , our Constitiution states ' until proven guilty' Not 'Until poven innocent ..we are condeming Burris for an act he had no participation in,,He has been appointed at this time by a 'not proven guilty ' Gov.. ..Lets get the facts before we make judement..

the seat should be voted upon in a general election and let voters pic the next senator there is enough problems with blagojevich and burris being an ally sound like hes to eager to jump in to a sensitive seat

Let's seat Burris and move on to more pressing issues. Look around us, people, things are a mess.

I feel that Mr. Burris should be allowed to hold the set. The IL house could have stopped this by following thru with the option of the election to fill the seat but failed to move on it. Making it necessary for the governor to make the appointment. Mr. Burris is not tainted the governor is. The taint should remain with the governor.

Burris has feed from the public table his whole life. It's about the time he get a real job like the rest of us. Throw them both out!

What it comes down to is the demecrates didn't want to take a chance on loosing this seat to a republican by having a special election, that's not saying a republican would've won, but us Illinoisans got the short end of the stick, yet again. me myself i would've wanted someone more qualified standing for me.

Would Burris have been the choice before all of this? I doubt it ! so why now? simular to a divorce (just not a child in this case) a innocent person become the sacrificial lamb.

LoriAnn and BillMetz have it right. Does Burris meet the constitutional qualifications? Yes! Was or is the appointment legal and according to Law? Yes! Everything else is speculation and opinion.

Mr. Burris is not under indictment and the Gov. of Illinois has not been convicted or even impeached, yet. The Secretary of State of Illinois should certify the appointment and Mr. Burris should be seated.

Mr. Burris has deported himself in a professional and honorable manor, and there are a number of sitting Senators who could learn some from him!

why would burris accept a nomination from a man with such legal trouble. he had to know that this would cause a scandal. it truly makes me question his integrity and makes you have to wonder about his past. any honorable person would have declined the nom.

I agree with Gene's post. The point is that the rule of law applies here. The governor is STILL the governor until the State of Illinois decides to impeach, convict and remove him from office. As long as he is the governor of Illinois, he is allowed to exercise all powers and privileges of his office, including the right to appoint the next junior senator from Illinois. The law allows him this right, and that is the bottom line. You don't get to pick and choose which of his duties you can curtail or even disallow just because he is under investigation. He has been found guilty of NOTHING so far, he hasn't even been impeached or brought to trial for anything yet. Until that happens, he is still the sitting governor, and he makes the decision who to appoint. It is time for the Illinois Secretary of State to sign the documentation and allow Mr. Burris to take his seat in the US Senate.

It gets so tiring to see how the media influences a guilty verdict before there is any trial. Heck the guy hasn't even been charged! But the media seems to indulge in pronouncing verdicts and they are responsible for this flury of crap. Because of that, everyone is trying to upstage the governor and the senate is just WAY OUT OF LINE here.

In the end Burris will be in because they have no legal basis to keep him out. That is the long and short of it. The rest of this circus is just something to keep the media in employment.

Allowing the IL governer to pick the Senator is like allowing the bank robber to pick the next bank president. Burris has brass balls to even accept it, let alone show up in Washington. I think after seeing his "resting place" that he thinks an awful lot of himself. Why is the Governor not in jail? I guarantee if it were you or I we would be. He's just thumbing his nose at the law, the people of his state and the government in general. Nothing ever changes in Washington, the players just change jobs. Convince me that Obama isn't Bill Clinton with a suntan with all the same people.

The media has made a circus out this issue. Legally Burris is correct but why would he want to put himself in the middle of this? Of course the assignment is tainted. Can we get over this and get back to real news?

When I first saw that Roland Burris was appointed to the Senate by Blagojevich, I thought Burris was an innocent victim of Blagojevich's deceptive actions. However, as I have followed this story very closely and have observed Burris' choice of words and behaviors, I have revised my opinion about his COMPLICITY with Blagojevich. If Burris' honor and integrity are at the level that he states then the ONLY HONORABLE option that Burris has is to STEP BACK and allow the Blagojevich investigation to prove Burris's "lack of complicity" so his fellow Senators will have NO REASON to refuse his admission to the Senate floor. However, with Burris' current behaviors, I wonder what is on HIS political agenda and how it intersects with Blagojevich's agenda. It appears that Burris' aggressive demeanor with regard to being seated in the Senate only goes to further the Blagojevich agenda - regardless if Burris is, or is not, involved with the Blagojevich deception.

We can not take the chance anymore of letting what could be Old MAFIA influences into our government anymore than are already there. Keep in mind also that it was a man named Jim Burres who was once head of the Hells Angels. The last names Burris and Burres are not so dissilimilar. Sometimes just changing the spelling of a name can protect the inocent. ( or the guilty as well.) Both Roland and Jim look alot alike.

Hello, is everyone forgeting that Roland Burris has not been certified by the State of Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White....one of the qualifications that must be met prior to being sworn in to the Senate. The elected officials of Illinois and the citizens of Illinois have vehemently stated on the record that they did not want anyone endorsed by Gov. Blagojevich as being seated in President Elect Obama's Senate seat....yet a man who idolizes himself so much to include already on his mausoleum all his past political placements (yes Roland Burris has such a mausoleum) that Illinois citizens can only question Roland Burris' sincerity with regards to his wanting to be U.S. Senator...is this to be another "knotch" on his mausoleum at the expense of Illinois citizens? U.S. Senate us the illegality of the violation of Illinois State law by non-certification by our elected Sec. of State to not seat Mr. Burris...he is not the peoples choice and the citizens and legislators voices of Illinois should be heard.

Don't we have more important things to worry about? Just seat the man. So far Burris has a clean record which is more than we can say for other members of congress who either hold seats or have held seats. Why are we punishing him for something a man who clearly has issues did? This really should not be this big of an issue when the economy is crashing and there are wars going on.

Burris has the right to be seated in the Senate. He was appointed by a valid governor, according to the Illinois Constitution, who has yet to be removed from office. Government should not be required to stop working once there are allegations of wrong-doing. Furthermore, Burris should not be forced to agree to not run again because he has done nothing wrong, procedurally. With that said, obviously he will come under a veil of scrutiny and ridicule and his effectiveness in the Senate will be minimal. Burris claims he is taking the seat for the people of Illinois, but because his effectiveness in the Senate will be very minimal, he is actually doing them a disservice and should not take the seat.

If Burris can't follow the rules of process, what kind of a Senator would he be?

what about the "candidates" that were being considered and willing to buy the seat? shouldn't they be exposed too and suffer the public humiliation of getting caught?

I think the whole mess stinks and everyone in involved ought to be put in jail.

Burris should definitely be prevented from assuming the Senate seat appointed to him by Governor Blagojevich and it is unfortunate that Burris has not recused himself. The questions surrounding Blagojevich’s integrity and his behavior after these allegations were made public have tainted this appointment regardless of the guilt or innocence of Blagojevich. As an elected official; Senators are held to a higher standard than regular citizens and therefore even the appearance of impropriety is an area of concern. Burris’s attempts to push his way into the Senate seat only raises questions about his motivations, principles, and judgments.

Gov. Blagojevich has been accused not convicted yet, so he is legally and officially has the right to do his duties as the gov. of Il. The appointment of Mr. Burris, isn't still part of his job? Until he's convicted of any wrong doing, he is still our governor, and any decision he makes as long as his on the position isn't still officially legal? Seems like Mr. Burris is being convicted by following what the higher official had assigned him to do!!!!!!

Mr. Burris has run for the Senate and for Govenor seats before and failed in acquiring those seats. Why is that? It is because the people of Illinois did not want him in those positions and did not vote him in.

Blago said when he appointed Burris to the Senate that he was doing this FOR the people of Illinois, when infact, he is doing this TO the people of Illinois and to let all know that he can do it. Blago has done nothing for the people of Illinois. He has never asked the people what they want..it's all about what Rod wants and how much he can get for it.

The power of the office he holds has gone to his head and he feels he is more powerful than the president, AND God Himself.

I say, let the people of Illinois cast their vote so we know that we are truley being represented and "no Blago agenda earmarks" are attached to this seat.

everytime I just look at this guy, I feel sorry. what he has done?

I believe that the residents of Illinois should vote on who should take the seat. This Gov. is a criminal & then you have a Lt. Gov. that hasn't been seen doing much of anything and will get the Gov. job when they finally impeach the Gov. – My family lives in Illinois and they say don't let any of these "men" run anything accept their own house holds. I see a snake crawling with this Burris fella along with the Lt. Gov. and what a laughing stock Illionis has become along with my county.

Let the PEOPLE of Illionis vote on who should run their state & has the empty seat. Enough is Enough!

The roads in Illionis are aweful and what do they spend the money on that comes into take care of the roads? Must be their lunches & dinners.

I am a citizen of Illinois, our governor needed to be impeached a long time ago, and i personally would not place Raymond Burris in any position on the recommendation of that rat Blago.

I cant believe that Mr burris even accepted the appointment under the current situation. No one in their right mind should. Our governor is only out for his own personal gain. He doesnt give a damn for any citizen of this state and we have hoped for his removal for many years now.

Burris has not promised anything to Governor. Burris is qualfied. He was appointed by a Governor. Secretary of State is equally corrupt as much as Governor is, open up his record and you will know it. His not signing paperwork is not required as per Supreme Court of Illinois. Senior Senator from Illinois does not walk on holy water, all it is that he can not be investigated by FBI, because Congress has so ruled and as such is talking and is not in prison.
Since Burris will be only Black Senator as OBAMA was and US Senate should like America, it is my opinion that he should be seated as soon as possible, no matter what happens to the Governor and any one who wants to stop him should be impeached and black population of America including Jesse Jackson and his group should sipport him, even if when they have been passed over because they were the snitch who went to FBI. Honesty is must, so is the Integrity and Senate should look like America and BURRIS needs to be seated now.

Mr. Burris was correct this morning on "Face the Nation" when he stated that the governor of Illinois "SHALL" appoint a Senator from Illinois. It is a duty to do so and without such appointment the State of Illinois would be bereft of it's rightful place in the U.S. Senate for it's interests and voice of the people of the State.

Government shows they don't care about the public. They just want to control all aspects of life. Besides slaves don't matter and the government loves abusing their slaves (public). Remember this is a minority, and not a majority rule. I rather have individuals then any group, community, country, or any form of government.

I think soon-not-to-be-gov Blogo has done all us Illinois residents a big favor by appointing Roland Burris our U.S. Senator. First, Burris is an honest and hard-working public servant of many years. Second, he's probably the only guy with the guts to fight for the position under the circumstances. Now we have saved a bunch of money, and have a decent senator.

I am from Illinois, and we do have problems here, just as the rest of the Nation, however, some of our troubles are known, and their unknowed. I am not taking either side on our Governor, except, to say he was elected twice, and in his first term, they said he was crooked.

Did he (the Governor), attempt to sell the seat, I have not seen any evidence, only a Grand Jury Indictment, and the Illinois Congress inpeachment preceedings. Gost employees, I am sure he did have, and friends appointed to jobs. However, in general these elected officials always use their Parties to help raise campaign funds and pledges.

I truly believe we got a break with our last Elected President, as so many people from outside his Political Party supported him, that it might change future elections.

Burris Appointment is not for a full term, but for the vacant seat of our Elected President. The Illinois Governor made the appointment and maybe to some it is tainted. However, it was more displeasing to me to see a high ranking member of Congress displaying pictures on who he wanted appointed to fill this seat, and our other Senator not helping Mr Burris.

Illinois newest Representative, has been reported to not use her married name, because it is the same as the 43rd President. Why don't someone question this, although this was her right.

I THINK IF BURRIS HAD ANY MORALS OR ETHICS HE WOULD HAVE TURNED THIS SEAT DOWN AS ANYONE SHOULD DO TILL THIS IS ALL SETTLED.ITS ALL ABOUT GREED LOOK AT ALL THE GREED IN THE UNITED STATES.THIS IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR ECONOMY TODAY GREED. GAS GOING UP AGAIN OIL PRICES DROPPING GREED;MADDOF GREED;GEITNER TAX EVASION GREED;THAIN GREED;A PERSON COULD GO ON FOR A LONG TIME ABOUT GREED .I DONT KNOW WHY POLITICIANS CANT SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM? gene

It's funny how Gov. Blago is begging for a chance to prove himself in court but the citizens go to court everyday and get punished for crimes they don't commit. Now Blago has to bear that burden that my family feels everday that my Brother is behind bars and is an innocent man. When you dig a ditch for others dig it a little deeper for yourself.These Detectives don't do their jobs properly and its okay but now Illinois government is being exposed.Burris Good Luck in this mess.

I think that the question, for while, concerns more the Mr. Blagojevich´s authenticity in office to the fore. If so far, there isn´t any legal determination for impeachment against the governor, or at least, any legal determination forbidding the governor to appoint someone for the Senate Seat, the appointment itself is legal and Mr. Burris no doubt is entitled to fill that seat .

Why not give our faithful postal works Saturday off? And while we are looking to save money, why not cut out some of the holidays that so many government employees get that very few of the population gets?