No blue skies for Burris

Posted: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:30 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum and Carrie Dann
It might have gotten rained on, but Roland Burris definitely had a parade today on Capitol Hill.

Swarmed by a sopping pack of reporters, the self-described "junior senator from the state of Illinois" faced a wet and jostled journey as he made his way around the rainy Capitol campus this morning. Burris' path -- to the third floor of the Capitol and then across Constitution Avenue -- was marked by shouting television producers and officials who scrambled to usher Burris to an outdoor press conference site after his credentials had been officially deemed unacceptable by the Secretary of the Senate.

Under the cold rain, Burris delivered an uncharacteristically short statement (less than 35 seconds) to inform reporters, "I presented my credentials to the Secretary of the Senate and was advised that my credentials were not in order, I would not be accepted, nor will I be seated, nor will I be permitted on the floor."

The former Illinois attorney general added he was "not seeking to have any type of confrontation" over taking the seat but said he was consulting with his attorneys for his options.

When Burris left the podium, taking half of the press conference's inquisitive audience with him, the appointee's legal team argued that the rejection of Burris' credentials "was improperly done" and "against the law of this land."

Attorney Timothy W. Wright used the example of Marbury vs. Madison, a case from 1803, as legal basis that the secretary of state does not need to sign Burris' appointment for it to be legal. "We have a 203 year old case that says that in fact once every act that is supposed to be taken by the executive is taken, then in effect the appointment is made," he said. "And from that, which is Marbury vs. Madison, we have determined that Sen. Roland Burris is the junior senator of the state of Illinois."

Wright listed their options as filing in the district court and negotiating with the Senate leadership. While the legal team said it is "not likely" they would file anything today, they do plan to still meet with Reid tomorrow.

"We think there is never an end to discussion," Wright said. "There's always a point to see if we might resolve this impasse and move forward on behalf of the people."

Meanwhile, Burris was escorted to a waiting silver minivan to duck, at least for the moment, out of the rain.

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Comments

I have to agree. not matter how I feel about Blago, Burris or why Burris would even accept the position... I think he should be able to get it. Not b/c h is black, or b/c he is the most qualified, but b/c this is such a distraction to the real issues. Unless Fitzgerald comes out and says Burris was involved in the "pay to play" scheme Burris is not tainted and should get the seat. He is qualified enough to do it and if Illinois is so unhappy with him they can kick him out in 2010!!

Kris STL (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:53 PM)

I see Roland Burris sitting in the mini-van, staring out into the rain, wondering what his future will be.

Meanwhile people are starving in Africa and there are inner city killings, not mention the impending and current wars around the world .... so who really gives a damn about all of this?

Peter Percival Patterson (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:57 PM)

This is a "parade" of his own making. burris knew he would not be seated. he had been told plenty. What he did today ws for the cameras and for no other reason. He may have the "legal" right to try to assume office, but he does not have the moral authority to do so. He is being played by Blago, and it is sad to see such a respected man be so blinded by his ambition that he cannot see he is ruining his reputation and making a mere joke of his long and worthy public record.

stumped (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 1:57 PM)

For the lack of solid ground to stand on I think they should seat Mr.Burris.The senate seat is his,I don't think any court in this country would side against him.He has the law on his side.So for the sake of a Million dollar lawsuit let the guy take his rightful seat.No deals,no if you do this, we will do that.In other words no pay to play,get it.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:12 PM)

The more I hear this guy, and the more I read about him (from legitimate sources) the more I come to believe that he DOESN'T belong in the senate.

One of the problems I've always observed with racial politics is that it's practitioners (ex. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bobby Rush, Roland Burris) are generally those who still revel in the "glory" of the Civil-Rights days. These folks are still looking for the "Colored Only" water fountains and the "Whites Only" restaurants, quick to jump on even the slightest perception of racial inequality in order to stir up fear and anger in order to keep themselves relevant. Sadly, not only do they often miss the more covert racisim that DOES exist in this country, but they also forget Dr. Martin Luther King's dream of true equality, that men and women not be "...judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." Burris' actions more and more prove that despite his accomplishments he is not a man of character. He is not only using his race (or perhaps hiding behind it) to garner a position he would not have obtained on his own, he is allowing himself and his race to be used by someone hoping to distract from his own misdeeds. As an African-American, I am truly ashamed of this man, and can only hope that the rest of us will not allow ourselves to be pimped the way he has.

14 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:28 PM)

Dear Stumped: Hear,Hear!

Mike Groshong, McMinnville, Or (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 2:45 PM)

jawillie, that is exactly how I feel!

ashamed of this mess (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:02 PM)

He should not have accepted the appointment in the first place. With that being said, I think that he should understand that he is putting the Senate is a position that they should not be in. With all the suspicion over the appointment and the appointor, how can anything that Burris does not be viewed with some great level of suspicion.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:05 PM)

I do not believe Mr Burris is a man of character. To allow himself to be manipulated by a sordid member of the elected governing body such as Blagovich speaks for itself. He is a wantnabe who would never get elected to the senate. I believe it would put more shame on the senate than need be.

John Esterbied (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:19 PM)

jawille -
I totally agree. As a white male, I am often stunned by the reverse discrimination that I see, all in the name of "equality". Well excuse me but if we were all equal, why does reverse discrimination exist? Why not follow the lead of Dr. King who said over and over that skin color shouldn't matter, it's the person inside the skin. Don't tell me we need reverse discrimination to make up for anything in the past. How is it any different today discriminating against me, a white male, than it was discriminating against a black man in the 50's or 60's? Is it for the greater social good? I don't think so and let's not forget that history shows us the discrimination from the 50's and 60's was tolerated only because it was accepted by mainstream (white) America. Now, mainstream (white AND black) America is going to repeat that mistake and accept reverse discrimination as being ok? I tell you that in 30 or 40 years, history will look back on reverse discrimination and ask "what were they thinking? Discrimination is discrimination, no matter WHO is being discriminated against"!!
Ok, I got a little off topic, but I agree with jawillie and I applaud that commentary and opinion, especially from a black man.

steve, downingtown PA (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:20 PM)

This is delightful insight. Now we know that to redress congress is to appear and bring forth trial lawyers. We need to sue Congress to do the will of the people.

TEC-Spring-TX (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:34 PM)

Up the lazy river, how happy we will be,
Up the lazy river goes he ....

Anuket (Nile River Goddess) (Sent Tuesday, January 06, 2009 3:44 PM)

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