Burris defends appointment

Posted: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:14 PM by Domenico Montanaro

On NBC Nightly News, Roland Burris defended his selection by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to succeed President-elect Obama.

"I don't see this appointment as radioactive," Burris said.

Watch the full interview here.

Moments earlier, MSNBC's 1600 got the first interview with Burris since being announced as Blagojevich's replacement.

Watch that wide-ranging interview here.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

I don't understand why this man allowed himself to be used. For a man who really didn't have any baggage why did he allow his reputation to be destroyed.

You have to allow the process to take it's course and stop trying to take short cuts!

justwaitandsee (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 8:47 PM)

There have been 309 US military deaths in Iraq this year. In Chicago, there have been 501 murders. Our troops would be more in harms way patroling the streets of Chicago then the streets of Iraq. Now the same Chicago politicians that gave us the killing fields in Chicago are in charge of the country. May god have mercy on our souls.

Chicago Pete (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:04 PM)

At this point who really cares about anything. It does not matter. There is no wrong or right only in the eyes of the party of opposition. Republican wrong, Democrat right or Democrat wrong, Republican right. Can't we see what this has become. It all makes less sense each and every day as we sit back thinking our side is right. This is not entertainment, it is about our respect and we seem intent on diluting that as much as we can. What are we leaving our children and grandchildren to build on.

Gene, NJ (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 9:51 PM)

Actually, Blagovich is right on this one. As Governor, it is one of his duties to make sure the state remains represented in the U.S. Senate. And by making the choice before Jan 6th, his choice actually gains seniority over other incoming Senators (that's a good thing for the state). In the end, I don't think the Senate is going to fail to seat him, because there's nothing legally wrong with either the nomination process or the Candidate selected, and plenty of political fallout to be created by trying it.

Eric, San Diego, CA (Sent Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:26 PM)

Chicago Pete, stop with the fuzzy math. There are twenty times as many Americans living in Chicago as there are serving in Iraq, and Americans make up less than half of one percent of the population of Iraq. Look at your numbers again in that light, and you'll see how deadly dangerous a place Iraq still is five years after Bush's invasion.

buddhistMonkey, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:01 AM)

The Best mohammed T-shirt art is from Sweden. Watch and read the info at,
http://www.mohammedt-shirt.com
Please don´t translate read in English.

mohammed allah (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 7:25 AM)

Chicago Pete, kinda of dramatic, like Gov Blago. Obviously the change alot of us voted for doesn't agree with you. Let's give the man a chance as CIC. His actions so far have received alot of approval. Gene in NJ, it's on us to pave the way for our grandchildren. We now make monthly donations to a food bank. We are trying to put into our community. If every one in our family helps at a food bank, or homeless shelter, or soup kitchen, that's building on our infrastructure in my mind. It's "We the people" that has to get involved. That's what I will be leaving my grandchild. The call to serve our country.

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 7:53 AM)

Chicago Pete,
Yeah, I hear all the time about roadside bombs & bands of outlaws with AK47's in Chicago, happens all the time. Get all the women & children outta there & let's nuke the place.
Don't be stupid, wake up.

justobserveID (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:37 AM)

Just maybe

'...Politically, then, the question is: Would it really look SO bad for Dems to say something like "While we regret that Gov. Blagojevich flouted the will of Senate Democrats, we are chastened by the fact that he's selected a decorated public servant who has no ties to the scandal hanging over the Illinois statehouse. We assume Roland Burris will serve his constituents well, and, if he fails, voters will have the final say in two years."?...'

MSierra (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:50 AM)

The no drama Obama philosophy should rule the day on this issue. The President-Elect and the Democrats in the Senate should take a deep breath, recognize that Burris is a decent man, and although he may also be mediocre, that has never been a disqualification to being a Senator in the past.

JTatEHT (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:54 AM)

Looks like some will do anything to find some power, huh? One must ask WHY anyone would accept an appointment from a radioactive Governor? Although I don't think those in opposition have a leg to stand on. It states clearly that the sitting governor will make the appointment. Leagally, Blagojevich is still the Governor. I think the appointment will stand, but STILL question Burris motivation. He would NOT have been my choice, although it's better than a Republican. Maybe it was as simple as that.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 9:58 AM)

He interview with Burris was horribly unfair. He appears to be a dedicated public servant, and your interviewers (predictably) spent far to much time trying to tie him to the governor of Illinois. Mika Brzezinski, a commentator that I have otherwise viewed as thoughtful and objective, was absolutely awful, and did a disservice to her profession with her treatment of the man. Burris seems like an honest broker; that is the type of person we need more of in our political system. I know I wouldn't have the stomach for such accusations.

Kurt (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:12 AM)

Dem party hack from the Chicago machine grabs ticket to the big time. His political career was largely over. Why not take it, what's to lose? He couldn't get elected much less considered for such a seat to begin with...so smile, take this appointment, then inject the race card as defense against those who see it for what it really is...Blago sticks it to those who oppose his slime in government programs

tgriff, sea (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:14 AM)

I watched Rachael Maddow interview Roland Burris late night on her show.

Damn good job Rachael!!!- It’s a breath of fresh air to see a smart intelligent commentator ask the very real and tough questions.

I was once again please to see you not only asked the tough questions but give the quest the time to answer them - that is so important.

I will keep an eye on you - you have a great talent.

Now - Roland Burris had some very good points as well - but I was confused as to why he would put himself in the spot light - the dark dim spot light.

Doesn't make sense that he would accept this position at this moment - no matter how legal it is,afterall it would still be legal once all of Blagojevich problems are solved or resolved.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The - Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:19 AM)

Thoughts of 2009 for you Posters:

What we experience in 2009 will be most affected (in part) by our own state of mind. If times are good (or even excellent) a person who greets each day with a miserable outlook or who allows others to control their level of happiness, will not have a good 2009. If times are fair (or even poor) a person who greets each day with a positive and cheerful outlook or who does not allow others to control their own level of happiness, will have a fair to good 2009. Yes, much of life is impacted by outside forces. But whether life in 2009 is bad, fair, good or excellent will be determined and impacted by our own state of mind, and our ability (or lack thereof) not to allow others or circumstances control how we feel.

Note:
Have you ever heard a person say to another person – “I want to make you happy”? The fact is no one can make another person happy. If you disagree then you have not yet learned to control your own destiny. Outside forces that influence our happiness are very short lived. After the quick lift (high) we get from these forces things return to normal (or may even fall below normal causing depression). The key is to discover that state of mind (attitude) that allows one to maintain a higher level of happiness regardless of any outside influences. And if one can, it last forever, regardless of the year.

Happy New Year.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:25 AM)

I welcome Burris's appointment. The state of Illinois owes millions of dollars to schools, hospitals,... We should not spend the money for a special election. Roland Burris is a qualified man - let him serve.

Now - get rid of Blago!

Ed, 1SG, Retired Peoria, IL (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 10:46 AM)

OMG, Joe "The Preacher" Watkins, is such a hypocrite! He hardly remembers his own very derisive comment "Blacks don't vote the issues", now, he supports the appointment of Burris. I wonder how he voted-no doubt he voted for The Lipsticker, since he is a Repuke.

Listening to him makes my head hurt! Nora O, make him go away...

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Prosperous, and Safe NEW YEAR!!!!!

Hurry up, January 20th!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:04 AM)

To the rest the world we must look like a nation of petty fools. When ever an issue surfaces, the media starts up the clown car and spins and crashes around about things that should be left alone. The talking heads will tri, prosecute and sentence long befor all the facts sutface, let alone taint any prospective jury should litigation become necessary.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:15 AM)

What’s going on here? I seem to recall Blaggy using the term “lynch” a few days ago in his first public statement. Referring to his own white self, thank you. Amid these ideologically confusing Clarence-Thomas-gate overtones, dude’s now playing a sick game of racial oneupsmanship. He’s obviously gotten both Rush and this Burris guy to defend him while he uses the Senate appointment, not for monetary gain now, but to thumb his nose at his accusers and the entire US Congress.

"Hey bitches! Clear my name in the public arena by seating my guy, or you’re a racist!"

Would some prominent black leader PLEEEEEZE stand up & denounce this passive-aggressive nonsense?

He’s acting like a frickin spoiled 10 year old. And what’s up with the weird, fidget-y body language too? Dude looks like he’s either balancing a mountain of guilt on his neck, or has a termite colony crawling up his a$$. I swear I think he was a used car salesman in a former life.

hey Blaggins: Please. Just. Go. Away.

Perry (*ZOMG Hussein!*) O'townsend (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:31 AM)

It is madness! first the democrats welcome back and reward a turncoat with the chairmanship of H.L.S. but will turn there back on Roland Burris 40 years of honesty integraty what next will htey try to cancel next maybe the president-elect Obama?

sam chicago (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:31 AM)

sam chicago (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:33 AM)

Has anyone thought of this? Obama made a tactical mistake by resigning right away, as opposed to Biden and Clinton who retained their seats until inauguration day. That might have headed off some of this (and in the case of the NY governor, gives him time to think about a true, quality pick -- not some media star or over-aggressive row officer -- someone true to his state.

What Rush did (and don't think it ironic that he just showed up - that was clearly orchestrated) was reprehensible, and his fellow CBC members should say as much. And most of all, so should Obama.

drs (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:37 AM)

He's not Blago's replacement - he's Obama's replacement. Slow down and proof read, guys.

Lorelei, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 11:45 AM)

A brilliant strategic political chess move on the part of the Governor whose obvious singular purpose behind his selection is to attempt to create divisive chaos amongst his detractors. This bold move could only have been topped if he had had the audacity to name Representative Jesse Jackson as Senator.

And he likely would have done so if not for realizing that Jackson would have just as likely denounced the Governor for selecting him as practically everyone else is denouncing the Governor's selection of Burris.

Burris is just a sacrificial pawn brilliantly being played by the Governor of Illinois. And as in the case of most pawns black or white, Burris can not and will not accept and realize that he is one until he is no longer on the board of play which will happen much sooner than later.

Caryl S. Foster, San Diego, California (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:30 PM)

Burris is the democrat "Palin" Palin should have politely declined the offer for VP, and Burris should have politely declined the offer for the Senate seat. But ambition overrules the head. Palin simply was not qualified to be VP, and Burris puts his party at risk of loosing the seat in 2010. The taint he just covered himself in was a needless risk to take, when his entire party was urging Blago not to appoint. What is "legal" doesn't always mean that it is the right thing to do. I heard on one of the morning shows today that Burris wanted a senate seat in the worst way, and that is just how he is getting it...in the worst way possible. What a sad final note in an otherwise very remarkable career. He won't be remembered for the good things he did, but for taking the senate seat under such a cloud of controversy. Sad, truly sad.

us next please-replace Salazar (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:52 PM)

Roland Burris, i can't believe some like him could be so suppid, or title hungry to accept this position.

angel, Queens, ny (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:07 PM)

Even if burris,(the opportunist) is accepted, i hope the people choose to vote him out even if he is a Dem. it 's just my opinion but we should not people with not ethical standard no matter what color they maybe.

angel, Queens, ny (Sent Wednesday, December 31, 2008 1:18 PM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1728233