Should Burris really WANT that Senate seat? I've been thinking about

[napi21]

this mess for a few days, and comparing the situation to what would happen in the business world if someone was named )hired or promoted) to a position where nobody wanted them. His colleagues would ignore him. His opinions, IF he even got the chance to express them, would be ignored. He'd be useless and feel rejected.

I think the same thing could happen to Burris if he takes that Senate seat with only the Blogo appointment supporting him.

[annabanana]

1. He doesn't care in the least. There's a space saved on his mausoleum

and he's determined to carve "Senator" in that space...

[Captain Hilts]

2. I don't think his potential senate colleagues dislike him. It's not about him, really.

It's about Blago.

Burris is just getting caught up in it.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. roland has a crypt built for himself.

It lists his political career (in advance, and has a noticeable blank spot, put there in the hopes that he would be governor or senator. (this is NOT a joke).

He has always thought that somehow god would provide. and here it is.

[On the Road]

4. That Was My First Thought, Too

but being a Senator is too good an appointment to let go that easily, especially if you think you're qualified and the appointment was legitimate. Even if he only serves part of one term, he'll be "Senator Burris" for the rest of his life.

Congress is riddled with scandals, and this one is comparatively minor. These things blow over. The first time someone needs his vote on a crucial bill, all this will be forgotten.

From the small amount I've heard, Burris is playing this one right. He showed up, was told to come back when his credentials were in order, and said he would talk to his lawyer and pursue his options. As discussed on another thread, the Illinois Secretary of State does not have the authority to withhold the signature. It may take a little while, but there's reason Burris shouldn't be seated.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I think he will make a good caretaker Senator

He's always wanted higher office, and this is how he will get there. He was a good comptroller and good AG, and I think he will do fine in his job.

[DrDan]

6. of course he should - what politician would not want it

what politician would not want to be called "Senator" - even if short-lived.

[damntexdem]

7. Only Burris can decide whether or not he wants it.

And he appears to have definitely decided that he does.

If he waits long enough, the Dem leadership will decide that it has done enough anti-Blago posturing (with which posturing I heartily agree) and decide to seat Burris.

[SoCalDem]

8. Of course he should want it.. Politicians are a different breed

Once they get elected to their FIRST office, it must hit them.. They got people they don't know personally, to elect them as a representative... to speak on their behalf.

As an elected official, they now have special "powers" and perks.

From the moment they get elected/apppointed , their name is in the history of their town, state, country. For a person to rise from "one of the crowd", to a position of authority and/or notoriety, is a very heady experience. It's like asking a football player if the Super Bowl is really "all that".

Burris has evolved from semi-retired, moderately successful politician, known only inside his home state. Within a week, he has become known worldwide, and no matter the outcome, he will always be known for this latest adventure.

He's healthy enough, he's intelligent, he's well-spoken, he's more than qualified for the position, and he was appointed by a governor who "legally" appointed him.

Blago was "warned" by someone who had no direct power over him...Reid.. and a person not-yet-president.... he's got legal problems, but he IS still the functioning governor...until he's not.

Illinois legislature punted on the opportunity they had, to remove him BEFORE he made the selection, but they CHOSE not to. Fitz could have indicted him on the "many" crimes he told us he had evidence about, but he did NOT.. He basically used his power to arrest him in a very public manner to try and shame him into quitting..FAIL.. Then Fitz went on tv and publicly shamed him and accused him of everything short of kidnapping the Lindberg baby...but did not indict him..FAIL again..

A recent IL governor, under fire and suspicion himself, cancelled executions as an executive order, and no one said "Hey, you can't do that..we are planning to send you to jail".. they did not go ahead and execute those people because they did not like his order, or because his actions were illegal because of his own legal troubles.

Blago is playing chess, while Reid is playing Blind Man's Bluff & Fitz seems to be playing Go Fish.

The media has made Burris into a superstar..with the help of Reid, et al..and Burris is loving every minute of it..

[Robbien]

9. Roland is having the time of his life

He revels in this type of politics. He would give right winger Reid a really hard time if he were seated.

[WeDidIt]

10. All he wants is to add another line to his Mausoleum

And he'll add it regardless of whther or not he's ever seated.

[I814U]

11. I think his appointment is legal...

...but that is far from saying it is wise.

Blago is in a lot of trouble and even though he is innocent until proven guilty he has the political appearance of an unmarked envolope full of non-descript white powder...only further testing will reveal the truth. Nonetheless it seems like he's gaming the system. If the other dems accepted Burris they make themselves agreeable to Blago's administration by endorsing his appointee. That makes it hell for them if Blago is actually guilty of some crime. The cons are waiting (salivating?) to paint this as the dem's Nixonian moment. However, rejecting Burris puts them in another uncomfortable position: rejecting a black appointee chosen to replace a seat vacated by a black senator. To deny Burris is to reduce the number of blacks in the senate; and that's another story the cons are drooling to reel out. It looks even worse if/when Blago comes off clean because then the dems won't have any excuse for having opposed Burris.

The score thus far:

BLAGO - making shrewd political maneuvers, daring others to not support him as he goes to trial

BURRIS - good publicity that may morph into a choice job.

DEMS - between a rock and a hard place, no good choices, just bad PR spin wherever they turn

CONS - laughing, pointing, snickering