rainydaynews

Appointing Roland Burris as the next Senator of Illinois was the most selfish thing Governor Rod Blagojevich could have done, so it should come as no surprise that he did it.
As a former Illinois attorney general and comptroller, Roland Burris was a standout politician. He was a trailblazer, the first African-American elected to statewide office. It happened in the ancient history of 1991.
That’s right, the state that is home to the first African-American elected to the White House did not elect one to statewide office until 1991. Burris served four years as comptroller and then four years as attorney general. He has run for governor three times since then unsuccessfully including a primary run against Rod Blagojevich six years ago.
As a fervent supporter of the Illinois Democratic Party, Burris has contributed about $3,000 to Rod’s campaign funds over the years, but hasn’t had any close ties to the governor. He is, by the assessment of most Illinoisans, a decent public servant.
That is why it is so awful to have his name sullied by being nominated to the Senate at this time. I’m sure that old Rod thought he was pulling a fast one. By appointing someone not tied to his federal corruption charges, Rod clearly thought he would make himself seem less corrupt.
By not naming one of the candidates alleged to have been part of the corruption investigation, Blagojevich and his lawyer will likely claim that the appointment of a scandal free politician is additional evidence that the governor never had any ill intentions.
BS!
I think everyone with eyes can see that the governor is attempting to use Burris to give himself more credibility. Under any other circumstances, I would support the appointment of Roland Burris. He is an intelligent man with the best interest of the people of Illinois at heart.
Unfortunately, I’m afraid the quality of the appointment might lead some to believe it’s all right for Governor Blagojevich to name the next Illinois senator. The governor makes the argument that the people of Illinois deserve to have two Senators from the beginning of the legislative session and not be forced to wait until the state can hold a special election.
Again, BS!
The governor has absolutely no concern about the people of the state of Illinois and what we deserve. If he cared at all, he would have found a way to work with his fellow Democrats to pay the state’s bills and take care of the basic needs of the state, without closing historical sites and cutting social services. He would know that the safety of Illinois prison guards is more important than his perceived insult from the guards at the Pontiac Correctional Center (which almost shot his helicopter down more than a year ago when he failed to notify them he was coming there).
And, he would know that a disgraced, indicted governor does more harm to Illinois than could ever be levied by virtue of waiting for an election for our new Senator..