Roland Burris Can't See or Hear

Let's say you have aspired to a certain political office all of your life. In fact, you ran once for the office but were defeated in the primaries and have since held the office of state Attorney General and state comptroller. You have had a nice career and are a man of integrity and honor despite some of the political shenanigans pulled by other members of your state government.

Now along comes a governor who is discovered to be selling the very position that you aspired to so many years ago. You have made campaign contributions to this governor ($4,500) and the outgoing person who previously held this position. You are entitled to something, right? Isn't that what politics are all about? You scratch my back and I will scratch yours? Isn't it about who you know and who knows you? Isn't it about an African-American replacing the only other African-American in the United States Senate?

Roland Burris was chosen by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the Senate seat of President-Elect Barack Obama. Gov. Blago is under fire for trying to sell this Senate seat to the highest bidder and there is ample evidence to prove it. There are impeachment proceedings being mulled over and federal charges have been brought against the governor. All 50 Democratic Senators signed a letter to Gov. Blago stating that they would not seat a candidate appointed by him, and President-Elect Obama has also stated that no appointment should be made by Gov. Blago. The Illinois Secretary of State, who is required to certify the appointment, has stated he will not do so.

If you are Roland Burris, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? If you accept this nomination from a heavily tainted governor you will always be viewed under a cloud of suspicion, many will believe that your appointment is invalid. HALF OF THE SENATE WON'T AGREE TO YOU and the man you are replacing doesn't want you there. Roland, buddy, can you see that your nomination is not legitimate? Are you willing to endure questions, whispers, investigations into your finances to see if you actually bought the seat like Jesse Jackson Jr. tried to do? Is this the way you want to be remembered?

Gov. Blago is defiant and prideful, he is a man heading for a great fall due to his selfishness and his false feeling of power. He has no power. He lost his authority when he committed crimes that will one day land him in prison (unless George Bush will try to pardon him too before he leaves office, although he hasn't been found guilty yet :)). Does Roland really want to earn his Senate seat this way? Take the honorable path and have nothing to do with this dirty man, Roland. When you associate with him and grant him legitimacy by accepting this nomination, you become soiled yourself.

Very interesting thoughts on what could happen in a Senate showdown if Burris is rejected for the seat. This could be the beginning of the end of Harry Reid (D-NV) if he does not show some strong leadership among Senate Democrats. Not that this would be a bad thing . . .