More on Roland Burris - Yet Another Revelation

Not only did Burris fail to mention that he was approached for a bribe by someone in the Blago camp.... but it now looks like he failed to mention an even more explosive fact - That he actually tried to pay the bribe.

Lord Please Have Mercy!!!!

This is why I was so skeptical and cautious about Burris... this is why I am cautious when Black folks are screaming about the need for a Black person to be in a certain position just because they are Black (I really hate that nonsense) ignoring all context - ignoring everything else about the individual or the circumstances surrounding the appointment. This kind of blind race allegiance can lead down a rat hole so easily and leave Black folks worse off in the end. I wish more Black people would stop with this mentality... and realize that they should judge individuals on the merits.... not based on Race. I believe that race can be a factor sometimes.... but not most of the time and it certainly shouldn't be the only factor or even factor number one. An occasional factor under certain circumstances-- yes. Blind allegiance for a Black person at all costs...because they are Black-- absolutely not. This is one of the reasons why Black folks are in the condition that they are in today. The racial litmus test has not been good for them (although many are so brain screwed that they are convinced that it has been great for them). Just look at America's chocolate cities where Blacks have been running the show for years. And yes, I still believe that Tammy Duckworth (a white woman...an extraordinary woman) would have been a kick ass Senator...probably one of the greatest to ever serve. But Negroes are too worried about skin color (as if they have a claim on a Senate seat based on some legally established race quota... it's sickening and embarrassing).

Now exactly what I stated would happen...is probably going to happen after this. Burris has made the road tougher for decent, qualified Blacks who may seek a Senate seat in the future. Future Black Senate candidates will have to be burdened by this Bull----. We know that's true. Blacks are so often judged by the wider society by what some other fool has done before...even when we have nothing to do with that person. It happens in the workplace all the time (I can tell you some stories that involved me in the workplace...but i'll spare you). This is especially true when Blacks are just breaking ground in a new area.... just like the U.S. Senate...an institution where Blacks are so much of a minority and where they are slowly trying to gain footing. This will make it especially difficult for those Black candidates who may come behind Burris. The damage is incalculable.

Harry Reid should be removed from his position immediately.... There are plenty of Democratic Senators who could provide real leadership. Reid is a disgrace. Not only did Reid cave and embarrass himself and his Party... but he helped to facilitate and enable Burris and Blago. Nice going.

Oh.. by the way... Burris is now under criminal investigation in Illinois for all of this. (See additional report from the New York Times). Hopefully he will be indicted and removed from office (only a remote possibility at this point, but it's the most hopeful sign in months that something might finally be done).

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Related Post

Politico - Burris Admits to Fundraising Effort

Roland Burris: Oh Yeah... There's One Little Thing I Forgot to Tell You Guys....

You guys aren't going to believe this... but I just remembered that Blago did try to bribe me for the Senate seat. I might have remembered to tell you earlier but.... you didn't ask me. Sorry about that.

And oh.. by the way, thanks for letting me into the Senate...(suckers). I just love my new office space and DC is just so nice. Everyone has been so wonderful. I especially want to thank my new girlfriend my new friend Harry Reid. He's been so accommodating.

And so the Blago saga continues. They couldn't write Soap Operas with this much drama.

Of course Burris is lying his ass off. And yes... he should resign. Of course he won't... because he's the type who will only do something if he's forced to...just like his buddy Blago. And with someone as pathetic as Harry Reid running the Senate... Burris knows that he has nothing to worry about...his seat is safe. Safe at least until 2010. This revelation makes this seat even more vulnerable. Burris was already considered a weak potential candidate... now he'll be even weaker.

And the blame should rest with Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Dick Durbin and other Democrats for not standing their ground. Like I have mentioned before... if there's one thing impressive about the Republicans... it is the fact that they rarely cave. They may be wrong on most everything...but at least they stick together and stand their ground to defend what they believe in. Sometimes you just have to stand for something...come what may.

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Articles

From the Chicago Sun Times - Burris Lied and Liars Get Fired

Burris Under Ethical Cloud

Burris Should Step Down

Latest Chapter In 'As The Senate Seat Turns'

Thanks to Icebergslim for the updates on the Illinois Senate Seat Saga.

From TPM:

Durbin: We Still Won't Seat Burris
By Eric Kleefeld - January 9, 2009, 5:25PM
Dick Durbin just made a very bold announcement, in the wake of the Illinois Supreme Court decision that Roland Burris does not need the Secretary of State's signature on his certificate: As far as the Senate is concerned, Burris still needs that signature for his appointment to be legal and valid, and the seat will just have to stay vacant.

"At this point we've clearly reached an impasse," Durbin told reporters in Chicago.

Most legal scholars at this point believe the Burris appointment to be legal, and that an attempt to keep Burris out can be successfully challenged in court. But it's become obvious by now what Durbin's and the whole Democratic leadership's strategy is: Keep stalling on this thing long enough for Rod Blagojevich to be kicked out of office.

Now, follow that. The Illinois Supreme Court has declared that Roland Burris DOES NOT NEED the Secretary of State's Signature. But, Durbin's saying it doesn't matter.

Durbin is saying that the seat should remain vacant.

VACANT?

Illinois U.S. Senate seat to stay vacant - Durbin
REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service
Jan 09, 2009 17:05 EST

CHICAGO (Reuters) - No one can occupy the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama until the governor of Illinois is removed and a new appointment can be certified, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said Friday.

Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, was reacting to the Illinois Supreme Court's ruling denying a motion by Roland Burris that the state's secretary of state certify his appointment to the seat.

Secretary of State Jesse White has refused to sign the appointment by Gov. Rod Blagojevich because of corruption charges against the governor, which included accusations he tried to sell the seat.

"At this point we've clearly reached an impasse," Durbin told reporters at his Chicago office.

He said the Senate seat could remain vacant until Blagojevich is removed from office and the lieutenant governor takes over, making a fresh appointment.

He said the Senate cannot waive a 125-year-old rule requiring the signatures of both the governor and the secretary of state on any election or appointment. (Reporting by Andrew Stern; editing by Michael Conlon and John O'Callaghan)

Well Dick, I'm glad that signature is SOOOO important to you, cause now your worries are over.

Why?

Because Illinois Secretary of State Jesse " They're not going to make ME the patsy" White has indeed signed on the dotted line.

From Politico.com:

Following a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, Jesse White, the Illinois secretary of state, has certified Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate, removing a major roadblock blocking Burris' ascension to the body.

According to his office, White has signed a certificate saying that Roland Burris' appointment document is "true and accurate."

Um, Dick...Harry....

The shyt ain't subtle and you ain't slick. Stevie Wonder can see your stalling tactics.

But, it's time for you two to act like GROWN MEN.

Point 1: Admit you got PUNKED by Blago
Point 2: Swear Roland Burris in and get about the business of this country.

Cave-In In Washington D.C.

Actually that's just Harry Reid and the Democrats in the Senate
Sen. Harry Reid after getting owned today. Pathetic!

Roland Burris Was Blocked As He Attempted to Take Senate Seat - But The Dems Will Likely Cave As Usual

Democrats blocked Roland Burris the Clown from entering the Senate Chamber today...But the circus continues. It looks like Senator Harry Reid may have finally grown a spine (we will know for sure if he has one if he is still standing his ground once the legal battles start).

He was blocked by the Secretary of the Senate because his documentation was not in order...since it was not certified by the Illinois Secretary of State - THANK YOU JESSE WHITE!

A USAToday Survey backs them up:

A majority of Americans say Roland Burris should be blocked from taking a U.S. Senate seat and Illinois should hold a special election to fill the vacancy he was appointed to fill, according to a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.

But I expect the Democrats to eventually cave... because they always do. Harry Reid is the weakest, most inept Senate Majority "leader" in recent history.
The Democrats in the Senate don't stand for anything... they are truly a pathetic group. One thing I can say about Republicans is that they stand their ground. It may be the wrong ground... but at least they don't cave so easily.

In the case of Burris... the Dems are already starting to cave. Dianne Feinstein, now says Burris should be seated. Expect other Senators to follow suit over the next week or so. Burris will probably be in the Senate before the end of the month. Dems would have caved by then.

Now the Dems want to negotiate.... Negotiate about an appointment made by a crook. Once again, the Dems played Chicken and it looks like they will lose pretty badly. And this is the same group of pathetic clowns who will be tasked with getting Obama's legislation passed? LOL. This is going to be funny (yet sad) to watch. Obama won't be able to get half of what he promised through the Senate... not with this group of Democrats. They can't even handle their own administrative BS without caving. How are they going to deal with the Republicans in the Senate?
LOL. Prepare for 4 years of stagnation from the Obama Administration.

In the meantime, if Burris is seated...and odds are in his favor... the perception of Blacks in politics (and Blacks in general) will take yet another hit. And the Republicans are loving this. They have been salivating... quietly hoping that Burris gets the seat. The Republican media machine is already preparing to use this against Democrats and Blacks. Yippee!!!

Here are comments that I left on another blog... that pretty much sum up my thoughts. This is from an African American blog where the author believes Burris should be seated despite the authors reservations about links to Blago. The author also pretty much believes that Black representation (of any kind) is more important than the circumstances surrounding the appointment... values, integrity, image, Blacks being used and dragged through the mud, etc... just don't seem to matter, since these issues are not of much concern to Blacks anymore.

These are the kinds of things that make me question my racial identity (further fueling my identity issues). I'm not quite suicidal yet... But...

My comments:

Black representation at any cost?

By hook or by crook, lets get “a brotha” in the Senate. It’s ridiculous…and it’s not going to do Blacks any good in the long run.

The proper thing for Burris to do would have been to approach Pat Quinn and express his interest in the seat. Perhaps he would have been chosen…at a later time or at least he could have participated in a special election.

This move just continues to erode the image of Blacks in this Country… and solidifies the perception of Blacks as whiners…wanting a handout….Blacks as just affirmative action picks, etc. It doesn’t help at all. I know… power trumps all else in the “Black Community”… moral standing, integrity, etc.. really don’t hold sway for Blacks. But how Blacks are perceived is only going to worsen as a result.

Burris will be dead weight in the Senate… he will have no clout, will get very little respect from his colleagues, and won’t hold any major committee assignments. And when 2010 rolls around, he won’t get support. And with his history of losing every big election he has participated in…. i’ll place my bets on another horse.

Even Obama is against the appointment (I don’t think he’s against Burris per se… but against the appointment from Blago). It has been a while since I agreed with Obama on anything.

Your first gut reaction was that something wasn’t right about the Burris pick (Regarding Burris and - by extension - Black folks being used as pawns for Blago’s benefit).

Even if Reid caves (and he usually does because he has no balls and no backbone to speak of)…. Those who opposed this appointment will still be right.

Blago Exploiting Blacks For His Own Selfish Purposes

And like Swiss Clockwork, The Congressional Black Caucus shows up and Blacks Fall For It. Have Black folks lost their minds?

Not only is Blago using race as a wedge, but so-called “Black Leaders” appear to be enablers and co-conspirators in the game he is playing.

I don’t know which is worse - Blago using race as a wedge to gain political leverage and to thumb his nose at us, or the fact that Blacks (at least a vocal minority) are falling for Blago’s nonsense and appear to be enabling him. The attempted appointment of Roland Burris was a crude political move on the part of Blago to create conflict and division within his Party and to punish those who have called for his resignation. But it’s the fact that Blago chose to use race…. Blacks in particular…. that makes this so disgraceful. Hopefully this will be the final desperate act from this man before he is forced from office.

But what is even more annoying than the Governors attempted appointment is the way that some Blacks have fallen for the ploy. You can bet that Blago was counting on such a reaction from the so-called “Black Community”. Blacks are so knee-jerk and predictable when it comes to the way they react to race…. Especially in a situation where they see a Black applicant or affirmative action pick being rejected. It doesn’t matter to them if there are conflicts of interests, ethical questions, or if dirty politics are involved. Black politics is known for being so sleazy & corrupt that “The Black Community” sees nothing wrong with crooked politicians. It’s sad and embarrassing to me as a Black man. And I find it ironic that after Blago was arrested, Burris himself stated that he didn't believe that Blago could do his job and seemed to back the calls for Blago to step aside. But when he is offered a Senate seat...all is well... I guess it's now o.k. for Blago to carry out his duties as Governor. Burris is not only an ego-maniac, but he appears to be a hypocrite too.

Are Blacks so unsophisticated that they don’t understand when they are being used for the benefit of someone outside of their own ethnic group? Are they so unsophisticated that they don’t understand when they are being exploited by their own? I hope this is not the case. But the so-called “Black Community” has a tendency to support those who look like them over other candidates, simply because of a shared racial identity. They are typically less concerned about policy and getting actual results. This is one of the reasons why America’s big cities are all too often run down and barely livable… Black politicians have helped to run these cities into the ground… year after year… but the “Black Community” keeps re-electing the same characters. Meanwhile it’s not safe to walk to the grocery store or to the bus stop.

One explanation for this behavior is the fact that Blacks are often blinded by ethno-centrism. When this happens (and it happens all the time), moral compass’s, values, integrity, and often common sense go out of the window. It’s all replaced by a sense of entitlement. Sometimes warranted, but more often than not, it’s unjustified entitlement. Feeling that they have been deprived of power for such a long time, having had doors shut for such a long time, and feeling that they may miss a golden opportunity that may not present itself again….they are willing to have a Black politician representing them in the Senate, even if it’s an appointment made by unclean hands and even under such a dark cloud. It is this fear and frustration among Blacks that Blago is trying to exploit for his own benefit (and for no one else’s). Blago knew that if he could just create a situation where Blacks felt that they were being deprived of something or that “their Senate Seat” was being taken away by Whites…then all Hell would break loose. And because the so-called “Black Community”, the “Black Leadership” and the Civil Rights Industry are so predictable… Blago got the scenario he wanted. Mission accomplished. In fact, I think this all worked out even better than he anticipated. Now he is sitting back and enjoying the chaos as his narcissism is fed. He will be headline news for the next month. And he loves it. This is an example of Race-Baiting both at its worst (in terms of its crudeness) and at its finest (in terms of execution).

The CBC is also engaging in this blind ethno-centrism…. Mostly for their own selfish purposes as well. Finally, they will have an “authentically Black” Senator who will play by their rules…rules that they couldn’t get Obama to play by. But they are unable to see the big picture… that playing this game of enabling Blago is more damaging to their interests in the long run….and hurts what little reputation they have left. But they are choosing to play the game anyway…and it defies all logic. Bobby Rush and his CBC should be ashamed. They have aligned themselves with this crook and are enabling him to not only damage their reputation and that of the Democratic Party, but they are enabling and assisting Blago in his effort to use Blacks as a wedge for his own purposes. That is inexcusable!

The Black establishment is so predictable. This just shows the corrupt nature of Black politicians and the Civil Rights industry in this Country. I have a feeling that they aren’t bothered by embracing Blago…because they themselves aren’t strangers to corrupt politics. They feel at home around this man. They have no moral standing whatsoever. Rush and the CBC had to have conspired with this crook before the announcement of the appointment, otherwise, why would Rush show up and give such a statement at the circus of a Press Conference last week? Not only have they aligned themselves with Blago…. But they have now aligned Black folks with Blago. This is an example of why I am so embarrassed when these Black politicians & groups claim to represent all Black people or even imply that they do. Bobby Rush, the CBC, and the rest of the corrupt Black political establishment does not represent me, and never will.

And I’m tired of hearing about the “Black Community” and what they want.…and I’m tired of hearing that Obama’s U.S. Senate seat is somehow a Black seat. It’s interesting that these are some of the same folks who thought of Obama as not being Black enough or not really being Black at all when he was in his Senate position. Now that he has left the seat…. These same people are characterizing the seat as a Black seat that should be filled by an affirmative action choice. The opportunism is glaring. The fact is… U.S. Senators of course have to represent the interests of the people throughout their entire State. Blacks represent 15% of the Illinois population, yet Black political figures feel a sense of entitlement… that the seat belongs to a Black candidate. Blacks have no more of a right to this Senate seat than any other group in Illinois. But Blacks don’t seem to mind if Burris would be an affirmative action quota. Embarrassing. Why not stand for election under these circumstances? Could it be because Burris has lost every major election he has run in for Congress?

If Burris wants to represent the “Black Community” then he should become an alderman for Chicago’s South side. That would be fine with me. But don’t try to hijack Obama’s Senate seat on the basis of race. The race path taken by Rush, and other Black political figures in Illinois, and in the CBC is not the same path that has been taken by Obama. It’s annoying when “Black Community” folks claim that this is the case when it’s not. Obama won his State Senate seat in a mixed district. Building on that success, he won his U.S. Senate seat by doing better in parts of downstate Illinois than other Black candidates in the past. Obama had a much wider appeal. The idea that this Senate Seat is a Black seat is ridiculous.

If Illinoians wanted Burris to represent them in Washington DC, they would have sent him there. But they didn’t. So now there are certain “Black leaders” who want to run an end-around… to get him into the Senate, even if the appointment is tainted?

Blacks seem to be losing the concept of integrity. I don’t know exactly when this trend started, but it is definitely noticeable. Perhaps the corruption in Washinton D.C., Detroit & Chicago have become so common that it is no longer seen as shameful or deplorable. From Marion Barry to William Jefferson… Blacks have become more willing to accept crooked politics and are less likely to embrace the idea of accountability. Corruption now has a measure of acceptance… as long as people can get their trash picked up and have their roads paved. But ironically, in some “Black neighborhoods”, Black politicians aren’t even taking care of the basics very well. I can drive through North St. Louis right now (American Baghdad) and I will see the same number of liquor stores per block that existed 20-25 years ago…. In some cases there are even more. In the meantime, the police department has shrunk, the schools have worsened, and little has been done to clean up the crime. Criminals continue to terrorize the “Black Community” in St. Louis. And of course, without taking care of the crime, property values remain depressed and there continues to be no investment in these areas. Yet there are City Aldermen who have been on the City’s legislative board for 10, 15, 20 years, and there have been two Black mayors and two Black police chiefs over that same period. No change in conditions. No accountability. Although I think most of the blame lies with Black families, and parents in particular… the Government can’t really make up for the lack of value systems and parenting skills. But they have not done their part as political leaders either. For the “Black Community” the attitude is - “By hook or by crook, let’s just get what we can”. And they see “getting what they can or what they want” as meaning that they have to have a Black politician representing them…. never mind what he or she stands for…. that is of much less importance than skin color. Therefore there is no taboo about their political representatives being crooked, or being appointed by those who are tainted.

But this gives a huge amount of ammo to Conservatives and weakens arguments against Dick Cheney and the corrupt and questionable behavior of the Bush administration. That kind of double standard won’t work and will only hurt so-called “Black interests” in the long run.

Burris and his supporters like to tout his integrity. But I have to question the integrity and judgment of a man who would take part in this kind of ploy. The fact that Burris would seek & accept an appointment from Blago really makes me doubt his character. I don’t have much respect for a man who would allow himself to be used as a pawn like this…. especially as a racial pawn. Blacks should be offended by this nonsense… the fact that they are being used for divisive purposes as race pawns and the fact that Black participation in politics is once again knocked down a notch or two…and that such participation often seems to be associated with corruption or some questionable motive. This is why Blacks often aren’t taken seriously…. Whether it’s in politics, in the justice system, in the workplace, or the pulpit. With this move, the joke is on Black folks once again.

I am glad that Sen. Harry Reid is finally showing some backbone. It’s about time. I wanted to shake Reid’s hand when I heard that he instructed Senate Staff not to allow Burris into the Senate Chamber when and if he shows up this week to be sworn in. Beautiful! I just hope that Reid and the Democrats stand their ground. Burris should be arrested for trespassing just for showing up. And I wish there were laws against Black Buffoonery so that he could be charged with that too. I wish I could be there to lock his *** up myself. The man is a damn fool for this.

I hope the Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn (once Blago is sent packing) chooses Tammy Duckworth for Obama's Senate seat. She is my #1. candidate. Nope... no racial litmus test for me. She's a bona fide hero. I think Duckworth would demand a certain kind of clout and respect that Burris or Jackson could not.... not even if they were squeaky clean. As a result, she could accomplish much more for the State... even for Blacks.

About Jesse Jackson Jr's so-called ' Electability' Problem

We've been discussing over the past week, the appointment of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Blago.

Friday, it was revealed that Senator Harry Reid had his nose all up in Illinois Politics, deeming 3 Black possible candidates - Danny Davis, Emil Jones and Jesse Jackson, Jr. - 'Unelectable'.

I have written in this post HERE, why I thought this wasn't about anyone BUT Jesse Jackson, Jr.

I have always thought the ' electability' argument was bogus from the get go.

Here is Harry Reid on MTP:



IF Jesse Jackson, Jr. wasn't strong enough to defend himself as a sitting United States Senator, in a Democratic Primary in 2010, then so be it.

I have always believed that there would be a Democratic Primary in 2010. And whatever candidate emerged as the victor would be in good shape for the General Election, because the GOP bench is still weak in Illinois, and I don't see it gaining that much strength by 2010.

Our poster NMP said:

This is real trouble for Democrats! True enough Bobby Rush's recent statements were over the top and too heavy handed, but he wasn't lying about the hypocrisy of white Democrats. This is some Dixicrat shit! It's one thing to oppose a racial appointment, but it's a whole different matter to block African Americans from appointment. This is a George Wallace move. Reid all but stood in the doorway of the Capital. I've said it a million times before, but it deserves to be said a million more times. The Democratic Party is a plantation party and Black folks have been far too willing to enslave themselves to it. Whether it's the Democratic political establishment or the so-called progressive arm of the Party, Black folks, whom they depend on, are not well represented in the leadership ranks. They talk at us, down to us or dismiss us and every four years come up with excuse-after-excuse as to why it's not political prudent to run African American candidates statewide.

I agree with this. This is the same old BS that Black folk hear all the time about WHY they can't be considered for statewide office. Instead of the STATE Democratic Party getting BEHIND Black candidates, they decide from ' on high' that 'these Blacks cannot be elected. '

Neither Carol Moseley Braun or Barack Obama was the 'Machine' candidate. They were 'unelectable' outsiders from CHICAGO no less, who won the nominations.

And, about the ' unelectability' of Jesse Jackson, Jr.

I was reading on OpenLeft, and someone brought up a fabulous point about the ' electability' of Jesse Jackson, Jr. The likes of Harry Reid, et al, backed Harold Ford, Jr., and damn near everyone in his family had been arrested, indicted or convicted. But, they supported his DLC behind.

Jesse Jackson only has his father, who, by my account, had never been arrested (on anything other civil rights issues). His brothers are solid businessmen. His sisters have led quiet private lives.

Quiet as it's been kept, Jesse Jackson, Jr. has shown a strong independent streak beginning with his quest for his Congressional Seat. There have been some moves by him that I have questioned over the years, but he's been willing to take risks on candidates that were NOT machine-approved. Some won, some lost, but he still was willing to do it. And, he's been building bridges and reaching out to other communities from the moment he entered Congress. Jesse Jackson, Jr. wasn't the 'Machine' candidate when he ran for Congress. Neither was his wife the 'Machine' candidate when she ran for Alderman. They won IN SPITE OF the 'Machine', not because of it. And, there are those who haven't forgotten that either.

I'm not buying the 'electability' argument. In fact, I believe it's just the opposite. They were afraid of him WINNING the seat in 2010. And once he did that, it would be hard to get him out, unless HE wanted to leave it.

Just call me a tinfoil hat wearer.

Well, isn't this interesting: Reid pressured Blagojevich not to appoint Jackson Jr. to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat

Uh huh.

How it gets more interesting by the minute.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times:

Reid pressured Blagojevich not to appoint Jackson Jr. to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat
January 2, 2009
BY NATASHA KORECKI, CHRIS FUSCO AND LYNN SWEET

Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn’t want in the post: Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones.

Rather, Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.

Sources say the Senate majority leader pushed against Jackson and Davis — both democratic congressmen from Illinois — and against Jones — the Illinois Senate president who is the political godfather of President-elect Barack Obama — because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election.

Read rest of the article at link above.

First of all, this isn't about Davis or Jones, who would have been nothing but caretakers anyway. Actually, scratch Davis. Nobody thinking who actually follows Danny Davis, thought that he was SINCERELY considering leaving his SAFE Congressional seat, and the ability to pad that federal pension for another easy decade for something that would be OVER in 2010.

Jones, who had retired from the Illinois Senate, would have been a caretaker. Period. He's in his 70's, and this would have been the capper for a long public service career.

No. This was all about Jesse Jackson, Jr.

Deciding from ' on high', that Jesse Jackson, Jr. couldn't win.

Well, excuse me, if I think that's up to Jesse Jackson, Jr. to try and if he doesn't win in a Democratic Primary in 2010, so be it. But, if he won the Democratic Primary, it would be up to the ILLINOIS Democratic Party to put out and help him get over the hump in 2010.

Now, we 'hear', from the likes of Politico.com :

Sources say Blagojevich’s s successor if he’s removed from office, Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, is likely to point someone who is African- American, but likely not Burris because of the taint or Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill), who is often mentioned as a possibility but would be too controversial.

Sources said the choice is likely to be someone young and dynamic, like Dan Seals, who ran in a northeast Illinois House district in 2006 and 2008. It needs to be someone who would appeal to the white Republicans in downstate Illinois, to prevent the seat going to the GOP in a future election.

Let me get this straight right now.

The 'Black Street' don't know Dan Seals. I know him,because I'm a poltiical junkie, but color me cynical about this. I'm going to tell you why this is SUS-PECT to me. Quinn had all the time to get this out to the newspapers when this first broke about Blago (to position himself for when he became Governor). You don't nominate someone Black that Black people have never heard of, and has no connection to the Black community - other than skin color.

If Quinn had 'dropped' his intentions of nominating someone African-American, or at least making it clear that Black folks were on this list, it would be a whole other story. But, He DID NOT.

Sorry, if my cynical self isn't buying it.

What is his base?

I'm just askin'.

He's a Half-Black man with a NON-Black wife, who has NO Chicago connections whatsoever. The Black vote IS Cook County, and we don't know him.

So, the thought that they'd throw away Burris - who IS well known and rooted in the Black community.

For Seals, who is a NOBODY in the Black community.

I know some folks live in post-Obama racial delusion. But, wake up.

That SEALS would be chosen over the numerous presently elected Black officials?

Uh huh.

Yes, Barack Obama was a nobody. But, he was a nobody who built his FOUNDATION in the Black community.

I don't speak of where other folks live. I'm a Chicago gal. I went east to school, but came back home after college and graduate school.

Barack Obama built his foundation in the Black community. Folks want to pretend that I don't know where I live.

Dan Seals doesn't live in the Black Community. He doesn't work in the Black community. He doesn't work for the Black community. He has absolutely NO connection to the Black community of Cook County, and we ARE the Black vote in Illinois.

Black folk in Cook County aren't going to be his ' base', just because he's Black. He doesn't even have a political base where he lives, because he couldn't even win the elections where he ran in not one, BUT TWO OVERWHELMINGLY PRO-DEMOCRATIC CYCLES.

If folks want to live in post-racial eutopia, that's fine. But, I'm talking about Illinois politics. And, choosing a Black candidate who doesn't even have a Black voting base from which to depend upon and build for the 2010 Democratic Primary, makes even the possibility of the choice of Seals, just as tokenist as Clarence Thomas.

The beauty and barbershops don't know Dan Seals. And can't point to one reason to choose him - other than he's Black, and despite what folks might think - Black folk DO need something more than that.

Black folk know Roland Burris. That's why we can separate him from Blago.

We don't know JACK about Dan Seals, and 2 years isn't long enough to build it.

Look at the visual.

Work with a Sista.

They would kick out Burris, who has a 30 year history with the Black community. Who won 4 STATEWIDE elections.

To bring in this half Black guy that nobody knows shyt about with absolutely NO connections to the Black community that hasn't won ANYTHING.

And, Chicago/Cook County, has all these politicos and Black business folk that could be chosen who actually HAVE TIES to the Black community.

Stand back and look and see how that looks to us.

What reason would I have to support Dan Seals - other than he is Black. I know a half dozen WHITE candidates that I could POINT TO things that they have done for the Black community - before I could support Seals. There are Black folks who could stand up and speak for these White candidates - because they've worked with them on projects. And, they understand Urban life.

Who Black is going to stand up for Seals and vouch for him on anything related to the Black community?

There's a difference between supporting someone because they're Black, and being asked to support them ONLY because they're Black.


And being told by the likes lf Harry Reid and Pat Quinn that THIS is the kind of Negro that is acceptable?

Hell-to-the-naw.

If I'm going to support a Black candidate that supposedly ' has no chance', then I'd just as soon see Jesse Jackson, Jr. in that spot.

I want someone to tell me, how Seals is a better candidate than Jackson Jr., who has a legislative record, who has an actual base, who actually has been building coalitions across communities from the moment he stepped into Congress, and he's actully WON elections.



PS- For those of you who say that folks like me can't see the forest, and that Reid was only trying to protect the Seat for 2010, the Democratic Primary IS the battle for 2010. And whomever wins that will be able to look good for victory in November 2010.

PPSS-When this all began, 'the talk' in the beauty and barbershops was, "Man, it looks like they're trying to knock out all the Black candidates." To wit, Black folk were called ' paranoid'. And the whole, ' well, we just need the most qualified person for the job.', bullshyt, which always, once that phrase is used, seems to EXCLUDE Black folks. Guess we weren't so ' paranoid' after all.

President uses a blow torch to light fire under Congress

President Bush took the opportunity to wear out Congress yesterday morning. There was no sign that there should be any compromise. It should be his way. If you aren't doing it his way, he will veto it. He named a number of things that Congress isn't doing - Alternative minimum tax (which the Republican's had 6 years to do something on but didn't), His War Funding request and other spending bills.

I find it odd that this man was labeled as the compassionate conservative. I hadn't seen one bit of compassion for the American people. I haven't seen the president compromise on any major piece of legislation. He has pushed, prodded, punched and run over anyone in his way.

From WaPo:

With his approval ratings stubbornly low, President Bush is trying to gain political traction by spoiling for fights with an institution the public appears to hold in even lower esteem: Congress.

Bush held his 18th event of the year yesterday focused on his disputes with Capitol Hill, blasting Democratic lawmakers for not completing annual spending bills, or sending him war funding legislation, or finalizing a measure that would permanently legalize his administration's warrantless wiretapping program. The 19th event is to come this morning in a presidential news conference at the White House.

Thankfully, Harry Reid, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, countered. "The surge hasn't accomplished its goals," Reid said. "... We're involved, still, in an intractable civil war." In a wishy-washy piece in Politico.com, the author paints the Democrats has waffling on the Surge. Stating that some Democrats are saying that the Surge is in fact working. Any Democrats who have said that the Surge is working are either being quoted out of context (John Murtha) or have their heads in the sand. Right wing bloggers like Hot Air have missed the point. The point of the Surge was to decrease violence so that there could be political reconciliation. This is what President Bush said back in January. As I mentioned before, our military if given the right resources can control any space in the world. This is clear. No Democrat or Republican would argue this point. Our military has been proving that they can clear and hold territory ever since the war began. The problem was that our military would then have to leave that area and move to somewhere else that was out of control. When they left a power vacuum was filled with para-military Sunni's and Shiite's. Again, I would point out that the goal that President Bush set, not Congressional Democrats or Belt Way pundits. The President set the goal. The goal was to decrease the violence so that there can be a political power sharing agreement.

Countdown video

A Roundup Of The Weeks Events - Iraq, NIE, & more

Hear a great discussion on this weeks events from the On Point radio program.

Topics include the Senate debate on Iraq, and The National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) and the warnings about Al Qaeda.

Listen Here (use realplayer option)


Also hear a discussion specifically about the National Intelligence Estimate. This is a must hear discussion. Former White House advisor Richard Clarke is interviewed on the program.

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