Durbin: Race factored in Burris seating
March 1, 2009 10:40 PM
Sen. Dick Durbin, who advised Sen. Roland Burris last week to step down from the Senate, acknowledged today that racial considerations were at play in the decision by majority Democrats to seat Burris.
Durbin, a fellow Democrat and Illinois' senior senator, noted that Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago Democrat, appeared at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's announcement of his appointment of Burris and used racially charged language to defend the appointment.
"My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush, made strong statements along those (racial) lines," Durbin said on WGN-AM (720). "They were painful and hurtful, and it became part of this calculation."
Durbin also said he would work with Burris despite the political isolation surrounding the state's junior senator in Washington.
"His vote still counts, his signature is still necessary for critical appointments," said Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat in leadership. "I will be working with him whenever there's the need for both Illinois senators to be involved in projects. I'm going to try to work with him as well as I can."
Burris met Sunday afternoon at a South Side church with ministers and friends who offered prayers for him to face adversity in weeks ahead.
Burris spoke to parishioners briefly and shared what he has accomplished in Washington since being seated. The list included helping to get the stimulus package, a voting rights bill and a measure to honor the work of slaves who helped build the country approved.
"Let me assure that I will continue to serve you with the best of my ability, and I will not let you down," Burris said to the crowd.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/roland-burris-new-covenant-south-side.html
LOL
I don't know which one is more pathetic, democrats or blacks.
March 1, 2009 10:40 PM
Sen. Dick Durbin, who advised Sen. Roland Burris last week to step down from the Senate, acknowledged today that racial considerations were at play in the decision by majority Democrats to seat Burris.
Durbin, a fellow Democrat and Illinois' senior senator, noted that Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago Democrat, appeared at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's announcement of his appointment of Burris and used racially charged language to defend the appointment.
"My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush, made strong statements along those (racial) lines," Durbin said on WGN-AM (720). "They were painful and hurtful, and it became part of this calculation."
Durbin also said he would work with Burris despite the political isolation surrounding the state's junior senator in Washington.
"His vote still counts, his signature is still necessary for critical appointments," said Durbin, the Senate's No. 2 Democrat in leadership. "I will be working with him whenever there's the need for both Illinois senators to be involved in projects. I'm going to try to work with him as well as I can."
Burris met Sunday afternoon at a South Side church with ministers and friends who offered prayers for him to face adversity in weeks ahead.
Burris spoke to parishioners briefly and shared what he has accomplished in Washington since being seated. The list included helping to get the stimulus package, a voting rights bill and a measure to honor the work of slaves who helped build the country approved.
"Let me assure that I will continue to serve you with the best of my ability, and I will not let you down," Burris said to the crowd.
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/roland-burris-new-covenant-south-side.html
LOL
I don't know which one is more pathetic, democrats or blacks.