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Illinois Senator Roland Burris Will Not Run for U.S. Senate Seat in 2010
U.S. Senator Roland Burris: A Democratic official says Burris will not run for a full Senate term in 2010. The source says Burris has begun informing Democratic officials about his decision. The official spoke anonymously because Burris had yet to announce his decision publicly.
Roland Burris reportedly will not stand for election in 2010.Sneed has learned U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has decided NOT to seek election to the seat he fought the government to keep.
Sen. Burris is planning to announce his decision Friday by issuing a statement to the press. But he’s reportedly not planning to field any questions from the press.
The decision by Burris was based on his inability to raise campaign funds; campaign disclosures with the Federal Election Commission are expected to be filed next week…and he has reportedly only raised approximately $20,000
A source tells Sneed that Burris, who was appointed to Barack Obama’s senate seat by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has been very concerned about his legacy.
“After 20 years in government service, Burris didn’t want the last four months in office to be that legacy,†said a source.
So, after all of that Blagojevich mess, Roland Burris is out anyway.
Looks like the Illinois GOP might be able to make a competitive race next year for Obama’s former Senate seat.
Stay tuned, because Burris has not formally announced his intentions.
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris
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Republican Mark Kirk Will Run Against Roland Burris for Illinois U.S. Senate Seat
Illinois GOP Representative Mark Kirk
Looks like GOP Rep Mark Kirk is making the run for an illinois U.S. Senate seat occupied by Roland Burris who was appointed by impeached Governor Blago to replace President Barack Obama.Just hours after Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan took herself out of the running for the seat held by Sen. Roland Burris (D), Rep. Mark Kirk (R) has begun telling influential folks in Washington that he will make the race.
Kirk is widely regarded as the strongest candidate Republicans can field given his proven ability to win votes in a Democratic leaning district and his fundraising prowess.
Kirk has held the 10th district, which went for President Barack Obama with 61 percent in 2008, since 2000 and has beaten back several serious challenges during that time.
He had been expected to make the race for months but backed off when Madigan made it clear she would consider the race.
Kirk starts the race in impressive financial shape after raising $580,000 between April 1 and June 30. He began July with $1.1 million in the bank.
But, conservatives in Illinois are not happy with Kirk and there may be yet another candidate to challenge him in the Republican Primary, Illinois Republican Party Chairman, Andy McKenna.
At least it looks like the GOP will be able to make a credible race of it against the hapless Senator Roland Burris – if indeed he is not forced out for another more electable Democrat such as Tammy Duckworth.
Stay tuned…..
Technorati Tags: Mark Kirk, Roland Burris
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Roland Burris FINALLY Certified and Will Assume Obama’s Senate Seat
+++++Update+++++Roland Burris to be sworn in on Thursday
Roland Burris, D-Illinois will replace President-Elect Barack Obama in the United States Senate, January 7, 2009
According to Fox News, Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democrat Senate Caucus have agreed to seat Roland Burris as Barack Obama’s replacement in the United States Senate.
Apparently, the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White who previously refused to sign the certification of Burris’ appointment has indeed signed a second piece of paper essentially doing the same thing. Harry Reid, et. al. have agreed to accept this along with a letter from Governor Hot Rod Blagojevich appointing Burris.Roland Burris who is currently in Cihicago will soon leave for Washington to assume his duties as a United States Senator from Illinois.
Did Harry Reid REALLY have any other option?
Chalk up a victory for Hot Rod as Harry Reid licks his political wounds.
Now, the Illinois GOP should begin immediately to recruit an excellent candidate to run against Burris in 2010.
Update:
Ambinder has the joint Reid-Durbin statement regarding Roland Burris with hysterical annotations.
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When Will Harry Reid Capitulate and Seat Roland Burris In Obama’s Senate Seat? How About Tomorrow?
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid, Rod Blagojevich
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When Will Harry Reid Capitulate and Seat Roland Burris In Obama’s Senate Seat? How About Tomorrow?
U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris, left, speaks as his attorney Timothy Wright III listens during the Illinois House Impeachment Committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009, in Springfield, Ill.
Answer: Sooner than later and tomorrow works.Does Democrat Senate Majority Leader really want a lawsuit and a confrontation in the United States Supreme Court over this matter?
Roland Burris may return to Washington next week to demand that he be accepted as the legitimate Senate appointee to replace President-elect Barack Obama and be sworn into office, according to a Burris adviser.
If Burris’ appointment is not accepted, he will file a lawsuit challenging Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Democratic leadership’s refusal to seat him, the adviser said.
“Unlike last time, there’s now a sense that we’ve been forced into a corner and must be more direct with Senate leaders,” the adviser said. “They’re breaking the law and act as if they have the upper-hand and can dictate terms for an entire state. There is nothing left to negotiate, they must seat the legally appointed senator.”
Reid and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) have refused to seat Burris, arguing that his appointment by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was not certified by the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White.
But on Friday night, White submitted a document to the Senate certifying Burris’ appointment. White’s action followed an earlier decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled that Blagojevich’s approval alone was all that was needed for Burris to take the seat.
Reid’s office said that the Democratic leadership was consulting with its own legal team and made no decision yet on its response to this latest development.
Harry Reid and his second in command Illinois Senator Dick Durbin have until Sunday PM to cut a deal with Burris.
Otherwise, why would Burris wait?
Stay tuned……
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin
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Day By Day by Chris Muir January 8, 2009 – Let’s Be Up Front
Day By Day by Chris MuirThe Senate Democrats and Harry Reid in particular now are in a quandry with today’s ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court.The Illinois Supreme Court says Secretary of State Jesse White doesn’t need to sign Roland Burris’ appointment to the U.S. Senate to make it valid.
The ruling says no Illinois official has to do anything further to validate the appointment made by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Burris was refused President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat this week in part because Senate
Democratic leaders said his paperwork was incomplete without White’s signature.
The state Supreme Court says nothing in state law requires White to sign the appointment.
White has said he wouldn’t certify any Blagojevich appointment in the wake of the governor’s federal corruption arrest unless the court forced him to.
Roland Burris should force Harry Reid’s hand and immediately file suit in the United States Supreme Court demanding that he be seated.
Roland Burris will win and so will Illinois Governor Hot Rod Blagojevich who was impeached today.
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Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Roland Burris, Rod Blagojevich
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The Roland Burris Drama Continues: Burris NOT Accepted Yet
Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, smiles as he meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington
Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid clings to the notion that Roland Burris will NOT be accepted until the Illinois Secretary of State signs off on the appointment.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruling on the matter is imminent and the Senate Democrats continue to look like Ass-hats. California Senator Dianne Feinstein has insisted that the signature of Jesse White (Illinois Secretary of State) is not required to seat Burris.
But, Reid insists that this block of Burris is NOT racial.
Obviously, a DEAL has not been cut with Roland Burris.
Stay tuned – Roland Burris will hold a news conference in a couple of hours.
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid
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Harry Reid Capitulates: Roland Burris to Be Seated in U.S. Senate?; Updated: Harry Reid’s Office – “NO White Smoke Today”
+++++Update+++++Harry Reid’s aides are “walking back the story” and according to Fox News say “There will be NO white smoke today.”
So, NO Deal yet?
Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, smiles as he meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington
Roland Burris had the Senate Democrats and Harry Reid by “the short hairs” anyway and now assumes a rightfully appointed seat to replace Barack Obama in the United States Senate.
Senate Democrats plan to accept Roland Burris for President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant seat.
Burris was scheduled to meet Wednesday with the Senate’s top two Democrats — Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and assistant leader Dick Durbin of Illinois — on Wednesday, a day after his paperwork was rejected at the opening of the 111th Congress.
Senate officials in both parties, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly for Senate members, said there is a growing expectation on Capitol Hill that the saga will end with Burris being seated.
So, what was the “DEAL?”
Time will tell……..
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich
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California Senator Dianne Feinstein Says Seat Roland Burris
It was reported that Leon Panetta, a former White House chief of staff with no direct intelligence experience, was selected by US President-elect Barack Obama to serve as CIA director. Senator Dianne Feinstein, the incoming chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, seen here in 2007, said she had not been informed about the decision, and indicated she did not approve
Di Fi may not like Leon Panetta for CIA Director but she can read the political tea leaves and now calls for the U.S. Senate to seat Roland Burris.The chairman of the Senate Rules Committee has parted with many of her Democratic colleagues and says that the Senate should seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said Tuesday that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, however tainted by corruption charges, has the right to appoint someone to President-elect Barack Obama’s former seat. The Rules Committee decides whether Burris is qualified to serve.
Feinstein said that blocking Burris would have ramifications for other governors’ appointments.
Well, Harry Reid has few legal remedies since every MAJOR legal scholar predicts the U.S. Supreme Court would seat Roland Burris anyway.
So, Harry Reid will say ashucks tomorrow and seat Burris before the political damage spins out of control.
In the meantime, the Illinois GOP is licking its chops to challenge the 70 year old plus appointed Senator in two years tainted by Hot Rod Blagojevich whose impeachment is just beginning.
Technorati Tags: Roland Burris, Dianne Feinstein, Harry Reid, Rod Blagojevich
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Harry Reid Gets his Way: Roland Burris Refused U.S. Senate Seat
Not really a shocker since Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said for days that Roland Burris would not be seated today.
Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris announced his rejection for Barack Obama’s Senate seat Tuesday in a bizarre rainy-day scene on the Capitol grounds as lawmakers awaited the gaveling of the 111th Congress into session.
Standing amid a huge throng of reporters and television cameras in a cold and steady rain, Burris, 71, declared that he had been informed that “my credentials are not in order and will not be accepted.”
He said he was “not seeking to have any type of confrontation” over taking the seat that he was appointed to by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But Burris also said he was looking at options for taking the seat.
Harry Reid and his Democrat Senate colleagues will try to work out a deal with Burris and formalize it when they have a meeting tomorrow. In the meantime, the Illinois Supreme Court may rule at any time about Burris’ credentials of appointment that the Illinois Secretary of State have refused to sign.
If there was a deal in the making, certainly Harry Reid and President-elect Obama would have preferred to spare the political world the drama of turning away an African-American from the Senate. The sticking point in any negotaitions is probably whether Burris who is in his 70’s would run for re-election in 2010 in the special election. Harry Reid has made it clear he prefers Asian American woman Tammy Duckworth for the position since he beleives she is more electable than Burris against a GOP challenger.
However, with “pay to play” already dogging the incoming Obama Administration, Reid et. al. may be hesitant to offer too much lest they be picked up on tape.
Flap predicts that Burris will be ultimately seated and if need be he will file suit in the U.S. Supreme Court to force Reid’s hand.
Technorati Tags: Harry Reid, Roland Burris
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Flapsblog.com: Day By Day by Chris Muir January 6, 2009 – ColorGuard It
Roland Burris, the duly appointed Junior Senator from Illinois is on route to the U.S. Capitol and likely will be turned away from taking his seat by the Secretary of the U.S. Senate. The claim will be his papers from Illinois are NOT in order.This is a PR disaster for Harry Reid and the Senate Democrats.
The campaign for the 2010 Congressional elections begins today.
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Technorati Tags: Day By Day, Roland Burris