BREAKING 12:23 PM ET: Report: Blago To Appoint Roland Burris To Senate
Who is Roland Burris?
Blagojevich to name Burris to Senate
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they would not seat anyone appointed by the disgraced governor who faces criminal charges of trying to sell the post, sources familiar with the decision said.
Shortly after Obama’s Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich’s arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor’s support.
UPDATE: It’s official. Mr. Burris says, “I accept.”
And out comes the race card?
Blagojevich snubs Senate, taps Burris for seat
Brushing aside charges that he tried to sell Illinois’ vacant U.S. Senate seat, Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the post today in defiance of Senate leaders who said they would not admit anyone he selected.
It was an abrupt about-face for Blagojevich, who had said after his Dec. 9 corruption arrest that he favored a special election to find a successor to President-elect Barack Obama. But Blagojevich said he acted after the Democratic-controlled General Assembly declined to approve legislation for a special election.
“Please don’t allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man,” Blagojevich said while introducing Burris at a downtown news conference.
Blagojevich’s move seemed designed to trump fellow Democrats who control the U.S. Senate and have unanimously warned him against making the appointment because of the criminal charges. His choice of Burris, Illinois’ first African-American elected statewide, presents senators with the dilemma of saying no to a replacement for Obama, who was the nation’s only black senator.
That point was driven home at the news conference by Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago, who said it’s a matter of national importance that an African-American replace Obama in the Senate.
“Let me just remind you that there presently is no African-American in the Senate…this is just not a state of Illinois matter,” Rush said.
“I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer,” Rush also said. “Roland Burris is worthy.”
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Burris said he spoke with Blagojevich Sunday night about the appointment.
“I was asked if he would appoint me would I accept and the answer is yes,” said Burris, who offered no comment on the governor’s legal situation.
Blagojevich praised Burris for his “unquestioned integrity” and “extensive experience,” calling him a senior statesman.
Blagojevich has not been convicted or impeached. Former Gov. Jim Thompson tells NPR’s, “All Things Considered” .. this (Burris) appointment to the U.S. Senate is perfectly legal.