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Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

T.J. — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:54:22 -0000

While this certainly wasnâ€™t the best thought out way to deal with this situation, I agree with the poster who suggested that perhaps Blagojevich was off his game. He is a fabulous Governor and works incredibly hard for Illinois. He is a person of great integrity and yes maybe someone like that finds it hard to fully anticipate the madness that emanates from the Illinois General Assembly.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Marianne — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:30:06 -0000

I don't think Durbin reads the papers (or this blog) because if he did, he would've realized how stubborn Blagojevich is. I have been a longtime Durbin supporter and will continue to vote for him. He supported the Red Rock Canyon in Utah when Utah's own senators didn't support it.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Blago Sphere — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:26:59 -0000

PJ Whoopee,

Are they planning to cross over in the primary and vote for Burris, Stroger and Quinn, or are they just assuming that Quinn will be the Democrat nominee for Governor after the primary?

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Phineas J. Whoopee — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:37:20 -0000

Ken, Repubs may be salivating about having Burris and Stroger on the ticket but most of the Repubs Iv'e talked to like Quinn quite a bit and would split their ticket for him.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

KeepSmiling — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:26:28 -0000

It really stinks not being #1. Durbin came off looking like a reluctant foot soldier to the Demo Party, rather than a committed follower to his own conscience. Together with his untimely and surprising plea to help a disgraced Ryan out of jail, he has indeed lost a great deal of respect. But, he's got another four years, and all he really needs is a few good months before re-election.

Reid looked like an egotistical powerbroker -- smugly wanting to negotiate the terms of Burris' acceptance to benefit his own objectives. I have never paid attention to him before, but now I know I would never vote for him. Meanwhile, Burris perfectly played the cheshire cat in Illinois in Wonderland. Intriguingly irritating.

And Obama? Well, he came off as a conflict avoider of sound principles with no bite, and overall a less-than-effective leader. So far, Obama reminds me of Jimmy Carter. I'm hoping to see much more of Obama's skillset when he finally takes the oath of his office.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Anonymous Coward — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:12:51 -0000

Burris takes victory lap at City Hal

Waiting to be sworn in later this week as the new junior senator from Illinois, Roland Burris spent an hour today at City Hall soaking in praise from aldermen and Mayor Richard Daley.

The City Council approved a resolution lauding Burris for having "the intelligence, character and reason that are the attributes of a great leader."

"I am speechless, honestly. I am just moved by the actions of this great City Council body and the comments from all the aldermen and the mayor. It's just wonderful," Burris said...

http://newsblogs.chicagotri...

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Captain Flume — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:59:53 -0000

The special election issue is a red herring. Lack of personal and professional integrity are at the heart of the issue. If the Governor had integrity he would not have made the appointment, know any appointment would have been tarnished. But given that if the Governor had integrity, he would not be in the position he is in vis a vis criminal charges and impeachment, then integrity should dictate anyone approached by the administration about being appointed should refuse the appointment. Since neither the appointer nor the appointee appear to be people of integrity, and since a bill for a special election was bricked off by GA leadership, we got whom we got, and got what we deserved. It's NOT about good public policy, it's about party unity.

In any event, I would like to have seen Patrick Quinn make the appointment, then seen a constitutional amendment resolution pass both chambers that required a special election rather than gubernatorial appointment for U.S. Senate. Good luck with all that, though!

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Ken — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:55:55 -0000

Republicans have to be salivating over having Burris and Quinn on the same ballot in 2010.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Abe's Ghost — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:42:13 -0000

It is possible for a situation to be so FUBAR as to be beyond analysis. That is this situation. 2010 will likely have more to do w/ President Obama's success and the nation's economy than anything discussed here...or not.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Six Degrees of Separation — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:41:06 -0000

Skirmisher-

If Joe Stalin were the incumbent, he would get 99.99% of the vote, and the other 0.01% would be in the Gulag.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Skirmisher — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:17:29 -0000

I have been absolutely convinced through this entire Burris fiasco that Rich is correct on this one: Once Burris is seated, he will certainly be the Demo candidate in 2010 and with Illinois Republicans still bent on self-destruction, is very likely to remain the Illinois junior Senator for years to come. What perplexes me is why Durbin and his buddy Reid ever had a panic attack over keeping this Senate seat in the first place. I don't think the Illinois Republicans could beat even Joe Stalin if he were installed as the incumbant Democrat Senator from Illinois.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

SAM — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:35:09 -0000

The problem with Durbin isn't that he flip flops it's that he's never had an original thought he can stick with. He, of all people, is an echo chamber for the democrats' talking points. When he's off topic, he just bends to whatever way the wind is blowing. His flip flops are a symptom of his lack of integrity and lack of willingness to put the people of the state first. It's all about his political party.

A special election is what the state needed. Everyone knew that the minute Blagojevich was arrested, hence the initial statements from Durbin and Schatkowski (sp?)among others.

The legislature should have stripped Blagojevich of his power to appoint Obama's replacement, however, the democrats, including Durbin and Schatkowski, panicked when they realized they could lose the seat. At that point, they dropped the effort to do the right thing in favor of maintaining their political power, and Blagojevich took advantage of their crass and self-serving decision. And then they had the nerve to complain about Blagojevich appointing Burris as if they weren't complicit in his action.

So now Illinois has two senators who aren't the brightest bulbs making decisions for both the state and nation. What a disaster!

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Rich Miller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:25:45 -0000

===Rich, Iâ€™ll run against him in the primaryâ€¦or you canâ€¦or Bill. I donâ€™t think itâ€™ll matter who runs.===

That comment doesn't show much understanding of Democratic Party primary politics.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Rich Miller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:24:24 -0000

===between now and March 2010.===

Nope. Early February. Less than 13 months away.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Deep South — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:23:20 -0000

Rich, I'll run against him in the primary...or you can...or Bill. I don't think it'll matter who runs. Burris won't make it to the general. But then again, as I said earlier, a lot of water will flow under the bridge between now and March 2010.

As for Durbin, I still think he's safe. Illinois voters don't pay too much attention to the inside politics that get debated on this blog.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Rich Miller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:18:04 -0000

===Fingers pointed at Senator Durbin are misdirected fingers===

Please.

He came up with the idea of a special election, convinced the legislative leaders to support the idea, then backed off.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Phineas J. Whoopee — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:16:05 -0000

The main problem the Burris fiasco poses for Durbin is that it makes him look so clearly weak and manipulated to all the other Senators and Washinton types who influence Congress. Basically, he just put up a billboard saying come take advantage of me. I don't think Durbin and Reid aren't going to win any LBJ awards any time soon.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

there he goes again — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:14:54 -0000

The real problems here have been a) the Governor of the state of Illinois for his crazy behavior, and b) the legislative leaders in Springfield for not moving decisively on a special election.

Fingers pointed at Senator Durbin are misdirected fingers, indeed. Faced with a mess of Blago's making, he has been whip-sawed by the crazy situation. No one in the party at this point is gleaming with pride about the Blago mess. Singling out Durbin is unwise and unfair.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Rich Miller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:11:31 -0000

===He wonâ€™t make it out of the primary.===

You can't beat somebody with nobody, and I'm not sure yet that anybody will run against him.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Deep South — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:10:02 -0000

The bottom line, IMHO, is that no one should have accepted the nomination from Blago. Burris' acceptance is the most disturbing aspect of the whole affair. Really, who thought that anyone in their right mind would have accepted the gov's appointment? Durbin, otherwise known for his evenhanded approach to things, shot his mouth off. But I think he'll be fine come election time. Roland Burris, on the other hand, if should decide to run will be beat like a rental car. He won't make it out of the primary. Alot of water will flow under the bridge over the next two years or so. I wouldn't put that seat in the GOP column just yet.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Durbin Dem. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:57:02 -0000

I had a ton of respect for Dick Durbin. Had being the key word. My respect started to slip with his handling of Joe Lieberman, you see, I attended Durbin's fundraiser on Sept 5th and spoke with him about Lieberman. I asked him what are we gonnna do about this guy? He looked me in the eye and said After the Election, we will deal with him. Now, maybe I took that the wrong way... But the way they dealt with Joementum was the beginning of the end for me with Sen. Durbin. And well you list everything else that has irked me above so I won't get into that.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Captain America — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:40:56 -0000

Burris iw at worst mediocre and an intellectual lightweight. He seems like a very nice guy with a huge ego and definitely a loyal, rah-rah Democrat.
As long as he does not run for relection,I don't foresee huge political repercussions for the Democratic Party or in 2010. However, if Burris and Stroger both run for reelection in November 2010. I won't vote for Stroger under any circumstances, and I am unlikely to vote for Burris. I think Blago's conviction and removal from office and indictment/conviction could constitute a major resurrection opportunity for Republicans if they are sensible enough to nominate social moderates for Governor and especially U.S. Senator.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

eastern illinoisan — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:37:43 -0000

While this certainly wasn't the best thought out way to deal with this situation, I agree with the poster who suggested that perhaps Durbin was off his game. He is a fabulous Senator and works incredibly hard for Illinois. He is a person of great integrity and yes maybe someone like that finds it hard to fully anticipate the madness that emanates from this Governor. I think his instincts were right about the public mood and the desire for a special election. But others decided against such an election and what unfolded was a mess. That being said, Durbin remains a wonderful public servant and I wish we had more like him in the US Senate and in the Illinois General Assembly and elsewhere in public office.

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Legaleagle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:31:19 -0000

Obama should have resigned the Senate seat effective January 20th, 2009; not last November. He knew that Blago was a wild card. Then the Legislature should have passed the election bill and dared Blago to veto it. Dems look very bad here all around at all levels. I feel that the pendulum is finally swinging back to the GOP in Illinois. But will they blow it??

Re: Durbin is at the center of this Burris fiasco

Six Degrees of Separation — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:52:52 -0000

Phil-

And he should have appointed someone without asking for ransom, too. It probably wouldn't have been protocol to announce Obama's replacement until November 16, the day Obama officially resigned his Senate seat.

But if the GA had concerns about Blago's near-certain ability to appoint Blago's successor, they had ample time to start the process allowing for a gubernatorial veto, before November even came into play. After all, articles of impeachment were being drafted and such. Maybe his appointment power was an afterthought, with other issues that were considered bigger at the time.