ILLINOIS: GOP Rep. Mark Kirk Wins Barack Obama's Former Senate Seat
Rep. Mark Kirk used to have an OK record on LGBT rights for a Republican, having voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and for ENDA in 2007. But then he voted against the repeal of DADT. And since under Illinois law he will be seated in the Senate tomorrow, that means one more vote against repealing DADT should it come up in the lame duck session. This is another disaster we can blame on former Gov. Rod Blagojevitch, as he appointed the hapless Roland Burris to replace Obama in the Senate and Burris never survived the taint of Blagojevitch's favor.
Blagojevich appointee Sen. Roland Burris says he won't run for his seat in 2010. Burris decision appears to have been based at least in part on the fact that he has not been able to raise money for an election campaign.
As of March 31st, reports CBS News Political Director Steve Chaggaris, Burris had raised only $845 and had $111,031 in campaign debt, according to FEC reports. Burris was appointed to Barack Obama's former Senate seat by Blagojevich, who was impeached in part on charges of offering the appointment in exchange for campaign contributions. Senate Democrats initially opposed the appointment because of the charges against Blagojevich but eventually seated Burris after he made assurances that he had not acted improperly in his discussions with the governor's office.
Sen. Roland Burris (D), the man who was appointed by deposed Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace Barack Obama in the Senate, has an odd viewpoint on marriage.
"My concept of marriage is a male and a female for the perpetuation of the species, for children to be born and identify the bloodline and the heritage. "But I'm pretty sure, as things are moving along, that that will probably change." Burris says he supports civil unions. Also at the parade was Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who says she's considering running for the senate seat. Madigan says she also supports civil unions.
Identify the bloodlines and the heritage? Uh, what? Burris delivered that opinion at Chicago's gay Pride parade this weekend.
Ever since Blago appointee Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) admitted this week that he tried to raise money for the disgraced former governor in a quid pro quo for his seat, there have been calls for him to resign. Today both the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune posted editorials demanding his resignation over having perjured himself when asked about Blago. You knew there was something shady about Burris' appointment, didn't you? Illinois Democrats just keep giving.
After the spectacle of being turned away at the Capitol Building last week, Roland Burris will be granted his seat as the junior Senator from Illinois.
"The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat," read a joint statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and Democratic Whip Richard J. Durbin (Ill.). "We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the statement continued. "We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in." Reid accepted Burris's appointment after the former state attorney general's lawyer visited the Capitol yesterday afternoon with new documentation attesting to its legality. Burris was named to succeed Obama by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who is battling federal corruption charges, including allegations that he tried to sell the Senate appointment for personal and financial gain.
Burris will have to defend his seat in a special election in 2010.
Roland Burris, former Attorney General for Illinois and disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to replace Barack Obama in the Senate, was turned away today from his Senate swearing in ceremony.
Senate officials this morning rejected Roland Burris's effort to be seated as the successor to President-elect Barack Obama, telling the former Illinois attorney general that he lacked the requisite approval of state officials to be sworn in with the rest of the class of 2008 in today's launch of the 111th Congress. With a stand-off remaining among Illinois officials over Gov. Rod Blagojevich's effort to appoint Burris to Obama's seat, Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson instructed Burris in a closed-door meeting that he would not be seated.
Placing himself at the center of a nationally televised spectacle, Burris arrived at the Capitol in a steady rain with an entourage of aides and lawyers, followed by dozens of journalists, including some broadcasting the procession into the Capitol and up to the third floor on hand-held digital cameras and cell phones. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and a bipartisan group of leaders have rejected Burris's appointment on the grounds that the criminal charges against Blagojevich, including one that he tried to sell the appointment in exchange for financial gain, make it impossible for him to pick a successor to Obama without tarnishing the decision.
It looks to have been quite the spectacle - I'll try to get some video up later today. Also: I told you this would get interesting.
UPDATE: Here's Burris' press conference after he was turned away.
Disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is somehow barreling forward and will today name Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. But the pick may not stick.
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. Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama's replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he's never lost to a Republican.
Rep. Mark Kirk used to have an OK record on LGBT rights for a Republican, having voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004 and for ENDA in 2007. But then he voted against the repeal of DADT. And since under Illinois law he will be seated in the Senate tomorrow, that means one more vote against repealing DADT should it come up in the lame duck session. This is another disaster we can blame on former Gov. Rod Blagojevitch, as he appointed the hapless Roland Burris to replace Obama in the Senate and Burris never survived the taint of Blagojevitch's favor.
