Burris Defends His Appointment by Blago

[ColoriaCleo]

Check out Obama "Today is my day" feat.Coloria

[stormjepperson]

hes a gullible guy he may be good enough to be senator but just not at this time its to much scandal involved and it will give repubs ammo against him he should sit out and run in a election

[Ipaymymortgage]

Maybe Mr. Burris doesn't know HE's the Race Card. Played by a sociopath - Blago. Blago knows he's cooked, and is saying to the Dems, "If I can't play I'm takin my ball and goin' home. So, there! Now NO ONE can play! The man is puke. But blends well in the Illinois sewer. The seriously outnumbered good people of that State better get to spraying their public buildings with a good disinfectant.

[cdpmbabyvideos]

dude, keep it down, or your having dark-looking skin won't be the 'worlds's best kept secret' anymore.

[dustmundo]

He's right, the seat belongs to him legally. Like it or not, Blogojevich is still the governor (granted not for much longer).

[benthere002]

Prior to Blogojevich arrest, Sen. Reid had made it clear to Blogojevich that he did not want threee highly qualified black men (Rep. Jackson Jr., Danny K. Davis

, and Sen. E. Jones appointted to the vacant seat). Reid and Durbin have no legal grounds to refuse a highly qualified Burris from serving. ETHICS? WHAT ETHICS? TED STEVENS WAS GIVEN A STANDING OVATION BY THIS SAME SENATE AFTER HIS CONVICTION. LARRY CRAIG WAS STILL SERVING AFETER HIS CONVICTION. DURBIN & Reid prefers Tammy Duckworth

[dingusmungus]

"I don't have any taint" ~Burris

ROFLMFAO!

[ThePhalseProfit]

Burris- "I defend my appointment because Blago already cashed my damn check! I bought it fair and square !"

[Rcoxx4u]

This drama as always will put a JEW in the position.

Watch and see.

PS Al Franken will "win" aswell.

[CA95814]

Talk about opportunism taking advantage of the system! ANY PERSON, OF ANY COLOR, who's a bona fide leader, devoted to ALL issues that better the lives of their constituents need be elected. BURRIS FAILED TO BE ELECTED. Now's the time to appoint a deeply devoted, intelligent activist to the house as opposed to some BS politician who spins the essence of common sense out of every issue!

[Blackford366]

Burris thinks this is an opportunity regardless of knowing he's being used by Blago. Everyone using everyone; in other words: Business. He believes his future performance will overcome this risky decision. He fails to see that since racism is the lubricant they're both using,then how can he ever be respected to lead?

So he portrays some kind of old befuddled Knight who will change evil into good. Notice the disconcerting appearance of radiant pride in the above video. He's not that stupid.

[foolchild0]

Burris seems like a good man, but he's being used. If Rush and Co. really want more black senators, they need to get them elected on their own, not as a pawn in Blagojevich's insanity.

[koolboarder1744]

Oh please if a KKK member nominates his brother in law to be a president what black person would vote for his ass. Think about it. Burris is saying he is not Blago. but Blago attemtping to put his ass into the senate. Please Burris dont be an idiot

[tooosweeet]

Some other problems? Nothing to do with Burris?

His problems were selling the seat, and he's the one that was 'selected'. It's not just guilt by association...

Burris: "the operative words are ''accused''". :|

[Blackford366]

Burris on the verge of Alzheimer's maybe? Of course it went like this:

Blago: You're in because I need a black.

Burris: You got it because at 71, it's my last chance to be Senator, what do I have to lose?

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

People who say Burris' appointment is about race are racists themselves. It is a shame they don't realize it. There is no evidence that race played a factor. Why couln't it be that Burris was the only qualified person that would accept the appointment from an embattled governor? Why do people go right to race as the motivating factor?

[jor99912]

BLAGO, MAYOR MARION BERRY, COLD CASH WAHINGTON are just a few, that have been conned by the best con Artists, the FBI.

BLAGO may be guilty, we have to see!

I'm smart and I've been conned 3 times by Bunko Artist. So I can imagine how convincing FBI could be.

But BURRIS trying to Murder, ROLAND CRUZ as the Chicago per-sercuter is not "acceptable"".

[geeoffchin]

"I dont have any taint." haha

[jjokonda]

It is unfair to mr Burris, let him enjoy the same juice all of you enjoy in the senate!

[skrewey]

"I don't have any taint."

[JF5885477]

He is complete innocent. And he paid damn good money for that senate seat!!!

[Iceman503]

This is a joke right? Oh, it's Illinois politics, my bad.

[cheyenne86]

Nut.. king tut wanna be

[garyowen4ever]

hey smartguys,,,,those taped telefone are filled with political slang,,,,,,and whatever happened to ELIOTT SPITZER, another big city dem,,,,theCASE AGAINST HIM WAS QUIETLY DROPPED BY THE FEDS barely mentioned in the press,,,GIVE'EM HELL BLAGO,,,show those POLITICAL AND GOVT. MICKS AND JEWS WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF! jamm it up their ass's sideways. WALL STREET IS RIPPING OFF MAINSTREET WITH THE HELP OF THE BUSHEE'S AND FITZIE IS WORRIED ABOUT HAPPY HORSESHIT!

[snillusgospel]

It's funny. All the parties are playing politics. The federal prosecutor is playing politics. The democrats (who do not like the governor) are playing politics. The republicans are playing politics. The press is playing politics.

Click on my link SnillusGospel and bring a little gospel music into you life.

[garyowen4ever]

the feds are BAILING OUT THE WEALTH CLASS, STEALING FROM YOU AND I MAINSTREETERS, and whats the charge for BLAGO, this is CHICAGO ILLINOIS FUCKTARDS!!!this is the the USA JAGOFFS, the most crooked country on earth,,,,,GIVEM HELL BLAGO AND DIE WITH YOUR BOOTS ON!

[wavycrockett420]

BLAGO IS THE SHIT

[patsagainstrats]

Classic opportunism on the part of this old mud-duck. He learned well from Jesse Jackass when they were together at Operation PUSH.

[hajqbvii]

I can't see them able to do anything about the appointment. They can only judge on his qualifications...is he a citizen, is he knowledgable and experienced...I'll say one thing for Blag's, he has moxie!

[ryanruns]

He sounds like a decent guy, but I do agree that under the circumstances I don't see how he could be very effective.

Also, to him: the "lord" didn't give you your black color... your parent's genes did.

[bloodeyez2]

How come whenever someone gives the slightest hint he's a Christian/religious people such as yourself automatically assume he's stupid.

You probably do not see such statement as a witless Christian stereotype, but you scream 'hate!' the moment someone does the same to you (with stereotypical labels).

[ryanruns]

@bloodeyez2: Actually, I don't mind when folks stereotype me, since it's just human nature to do such. I admitted that Burris seems like an intelligent man, but I have a hard time tolerating irrational religious comments from some Christians.

I respect your opinion, but the religion debate could go on forever. Time will tell the truth.

[jsfumato]

she said...Taint !

[kalidyne]

If he was qualified, he'd ask for complete transparency, or a vote

[recordingautist]

You people cracking jokes disgust me. A taintendectomy is a very serious and painful procedure.

[tobyw87]

God damn those news anchors are annoying as hell. WTF does innocent until proven guilty mean? I want to punch them in the face.

[taylor8407]

This guy is caught in a catch 22. It's highly unlikely that he could've entered politics at this high a level any other way. Let's not forget that Blago had to appoint somebody, that's his job and could've faced charges if he hadn't. So why not accept it? Sure its Blago and his controversy but if this is his only potential ticket in, what did he have to lose? Who knows, he could end up with the seat simply because all other good names were involved with the scandal.. ..I bet he's banking on it.

[thejuanstar]

2:02

[Taino187]

Burris might want the job, But he shouldnt of accepted it from Blago, instead he should of sought it outside of the ongoing blago mess.

By accepting it, He just joined into the ongoing Blago mess. Bad judgement on his part.

[Taino187]

Here's the long and short of it (in my opinion) I think this guy SHOULDNT be confirmed, Because.... He should "know better" than to accept anything from Blago "A corrupt slimeball". Burris should of said NO to Blago because it was BLAGO! making the offer, Burris was not wise enough to see thru the consequences, Seems a position of power "the senate seat" blinded his judgement.

He should of said NO to Blago, Because it was blago making the offer!

[foolchild0]

Agreed.

[vertigate]

How can he be an effective Senator? He's gonna vote. Wtf. Get on with it. Blagojevich is going to be convicted, but we can't let this stupid affair hold up everything else.

[Ed76638]

AHHHHHH SHEEEEEEEIT.....

[mefilmmaking]

approved

what wrong has he done. i would give him a chance.... in my humble oppinion, obviously

[sportsnut331]

blago appointed burris for a variety of reasons, imo: 1. blago using him to show the attorney general that blago is still here and is not marginalized by accusations 2. he's old (71) so he is probably a placeholder until 2010

I think what is most interesting is whether or not the senate will go through with their threat of not seating burris. It is pivotal because there is a big vote on the stimulus package coming up. Is it a moral stance more important for dems to give up this vote?

[JJarv213]

I think Mr Roland Burris should be rejected on grounds of sheer stupidity. He basically decided to commit certain career suicide in accepting this appointment.

[armyveteran101st]

I'm sure this gentleman is a great public servant and a fine person, but he should have been savvy enough to understand that his appointment is tainted, and that it lacks legitimacy due to the outrageously unethical behavior on the part of the Governor. The fact that he wasn't shows that he really has no meaningful political awareness, and no legitimate business occupying a seat in the U.S. Senate. This man is a victim of Blago's corruption...

[tobyw87]

I hate to play devil's advocate but where the fuck is the evidence that Blagojevich commited a crime? I have honestly looked for it, but the most I can find is a bunch of sensationalist reporters moaning and groaning about how corrupt he is. We have a court system for a fucking reason. Until Blagojevich is proven guilty we shouldn't all act like he is. Its fucking annoying as hell.

As for Burris... the man is old and has probably wanted to be a Senator his entire life. Can you blame him?

[armyveteran101st]

The phone recordings back up a charge for conspiracy, at the very least. They are so weighty as evidence that the US Attorney decided to go ahead and make them public, and to announce their proceedings against the Governor. His political career is over, and anything he does from now on, even if he were to somehow be found innocent, will be tainted. Burris should have known not to accept the appointment.

[tobyw87]

And yet major attorney's who have poured over the released court documents so far have claimed that the case may be unprosecutable. I know everyone hates Blagojevich... and maybe he deserves that condemnation, but as far as I am concerned he is still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I hate all of these sensationalist politicians/media outlets... Its as if we don't even have a court system and the only thing that matters is public opinion.

[armyveteran101st]

When you're in politics, nothing affects your chances of success more than public opinion. Blago could turn out to be declared completely innocent, but his statements on the phone recordings have completely destroyed his credibility and his legitimacy, because now everything he does as Governor will be tainted. That's what really matters in his situation. I happen to think there's enough evidence/probable cause to indict him, and the US Attorney on the case seems to agree...

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

Weighty? Please. The feds have no evidence of an actual crime. Only the recorded ramblings of a governor fantasizing committing crimes. It is kind of like me fantasizing about being Al Capone. I have to actually kill somebody in order to be guilty of murder, not just dream about it.

[fishhead06]

The phone recordings are pretty damning evidence that he was engaged in a conspiracy to sell a Senate seat.

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

No one has heard these alleged phone recordings except the prosecutor. And, talk is not a crime. You have to actually do something in order to break the law. My bet: Blago beats this thing.

[gordongekko83]

BINGO! This is not a slam dunk case. People are confusing what sounds bad with what's illegal. The prosecutor needs a whole lot more than what we see in the media to make a case. Blago is brilliantly playing a game of chess and winning thus far.  You don't have to like the man, but you have to respect his moxy and he simply outplayed the other corrupt bastards in Congress this time. LOL

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

Yet, the prosecutor couldn't release the tapes, has not released a scintilla of evidence leaning towards guilty, and needs another 3 months to try to fabricate a case using low-lifes that want 15 minutes of fame. If they had a case, why didn't they indict? Obama needs to fire prosecutor Fitzdummy.

[kargenlewis]

banker = soulless greedy money-worshipper

[SubmarinerAndroid]

Everyone's using the word taint like it's a bad thing.

I happen to like a man's taint.

[4d4mz]

class "A" bullshiter

[WhoRonPaul]

Media Nurses Lynch Mob Mentality

[swlit2001]

The inane "journalists" makes this doubly sad. Did either of them graduate high school?

[navtel]

more crooks in congress..

[smdenis]

Is he serious??? I mean does he really think he has a chance of making it anywhere near the Senate?

[JimisJames]

why is she grilling him?

[navtel]

JimisJames, are you kidding? i thought it was rather evident.. a former banker should disqualify him automatically.. just like a lawyer, car salesman, and stock broker should be.

[JimisJames]

what did the elected guy do wrong? why put him in the hot seat. its the govonors issue. this guy has no blemish known an cannot answer for the govonor. blind anger andd witch hunts are very dangerous. what was he going to say............no?

[navtel]

i would think that anyone accepting an appointment from blago would have to defend his position and reason why he was chosen.. who would want that except some politician? i would have him under a magnifying glass too..

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

He won't get the seat.

Sorry.

George Vreeland Hill

[jhakana]

as soon as he said the lord gave him that, should be reason enough to question his credibility, forget his financial contributions, he believes he is god chosen, I cant think of a better reason to suspend his appointment untill they fix this mess in Illinois. on another note, the repeated use of taint makes it seem like a SNL satire.

[rksu747]

Lord have mercy, jhakana! Maybe you should look at this interview again!  He was talking about his skin color not the senate seat!

[jhakana]

I know, I was taking it out of context on purpose, I suppose it wasnt quite obvious, but while we are discussing this, it seems a little funny that the Govoner is having quite a time,he appoints someone who could take the heat off of him,Burris admits he wasnt on the short list, he is more than qualified, maybe all the elected people should get the heat to force them to pick qualified individuals instead of the lobbiests with the best gifts getting to decide, peace be with you friend

[lloyd76oswald]

If burris has no taint what seperates his balls from his asshole?

[able1039]

lol! 1:36

[annarboriter]

just a poor practicing attorney who has been appointed to the US senate by a governor who is, to use the operative, legalistic word, 'accused'...why's ev'rybody always pickin' on him?

Accused? Hell, even after Stevens was convicted he claimed that he was innocent and able to serve!

[oolong2]

LOL... you can't call for someone's resignation and then accept their appointment...

Methinks he wants his political cake and politically eat it too.

[freesoul2005]

Blacks have lost the "race card" after ppl from every background voted for Obama, because of his intellect, coolness and perceived integrity.

[dbadefense1990]

If Burris isn't approved to Congress, the reason will not be because he's Black. Any Blago appointee would be screwed from the Senate, no matter what the skin color is. Basically, Congress would deny white candidates too, if they were appointed by Blago.

[basenjib123]

Blagojevich is awesome...he has those corrupt Obama niggers so confused now. They don't know whether to shit or go blind!! LOVE IT!!

[angelikal]

These Obama niggers you're talking about are better people than you are... they are in a higher position than you are... so what makes you?

[sleeplesseye]

While I believe that someone should be innocent until proven guilty, that doesn't mean that someone who is accused of criminal behavior should be allowed to keep calling the shots on decisions that could protect their ass down the road.

Blago needs to do the right thing here to avoid the perception of corruption and impropriety... and if he's incapable of doing so, then others in the Democratic Party need to step up and do it for him.

[sleeplesseye]

Apparently, he claims that he has no taint.

(Maybe he had his taint surgically removed?!)

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

What the heck is taint? Is that the new standard for American Justice? If so, no person in America is qualified to do anything. Unless you are a virgin, who never drank, smoked, cursed, fought, cheated, lied, or disobeyed your parents, then you too are tainted...And everybody who knows you is tainted...along with everyone you ever met, did business with or conversed with.

[theastrusmega]

poor guy...he would be screwed, whether he was black or not.

...any one appointed by Blago would be screwed.

[sleeplesseye]

Well, if you were going to be screwed by Blago, it would probably hurt less if you had your taint removed first...

[mavaddat]

Goddamn, why is MSNBC so idiotic? They can't ask this guy a straight question.

It's very simple: "How is your appointment legitimate when the people of Illinois and the United States have lost confidence in the man who has appointed you?" That's the question to ask.

[angelikal]

In fact they did ask the question, why don't you listen more carefully. At 1:56 they start asking the question and he starts his answer at 2:36. MSNBC isn't FOX, they do journalism, not interrogate.

[mavaddat]

Oh yeah, I think MSNBC is generally good. I just thought these two really fumbled the interview.

"How does the public separate Gov. Blagojevich from you?" is, in my opinion, vague, indirect, and not remotely as effective as the question I suggested they should have asked would have been.

Serious journalism means asking pointed questions. No one is saying they should interrogate the man.

[angelikal]

I think it's sometimes alright to manipulate the words around so you ask the person the same question yet in a different word order, so when he does come on another show or an interview and he says something different, that can be held accountable.

[joness105639]

I'm from illinois. I want burris to go home. I want any potential appointee to turn him down. OF COURSE RACE HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT!! DIDNT YOU SEE THE WHOLE ACCEPTENCE SPEECH? THE RACE CARD WAS PLAYED DURING THE QUESTIONNING SESSIONS.

[angelikal]

You Christians talk about how to love everyone, and yet you guys vibe off the most hate.

[joness105639]

There is much that Rod needs to repent of, and he could probilbly use some tough love. I guess you missed the part where bobby rush said that there are no african americans in the senate. Thats the race card right there. That is no excuse. Race shoulnt be a factor!

The fact is that race is still an issue and in this case it has blinded a few people to the reality of what this appointment means. In accepting, burris does everyone a disservice, and rush may as well have called him "token".

[atripa645]

He gave 20k to "taint" lol

[nomercyrules10]

Burris bid $20,000,000 for the seat and won.

[killacamtay]

you got about 3 zeros to many but 20 thousand is still alot

[joness105639]

Its about the price of a small car. Surly that job is worth more than that!

[killacamtay]

yea i agree with you but if the guy i was correcting read the same article i read it was around twenty thousand and not 20 million....thats all i was saying

[joness105639]

Oh I know. I heard $14,000 Dude, given the prestige, and the money, heck i'd take out a private student loan from sallie may to cover the expenses and then pay it off in less than a year. Dude, 14,000-20,000 is a bigger slap in the face than trying to sell it in the first place.

[marniespeaks]

innocent until proven guilty

this women is on a witch hunt - she's not a court of law - report the news ask the questions and shut up

IOW do your job.

[Arnon7777]

Disgusting.

[srhabb]

Why are they making him repeat himself?

[qwertyman233]

DAMN! MSNBC GOT PWNED! Very good in defending his appointment by blago!!

[WKaliber1]

Bill Hicks

[halli321]

No need to name call guys.

He's not the one who is being investigated. Chill out.

[vincentvalentino]

Someone get this guy some new glasses and some hearing aid, probably some anti-senile soup too <_<

[MichaelWinstonEsq]

I am supporting Blago on this. Nothing has been proven against him except allegations that he had some crazy fantasies about a life of crime. He has not eve been indicted. All this is the word of one man.- Fitzdummy. What ever happened to the presumption of innocence? Why is this prosecutor holding everyone's reputation hostage while fishes for support for his half-ass, pre-mature case?

[mrbadguysan]

You know, this whole thing is a bit of a win-win for nearly everyone concerned.

The Illinois State Democrats and the Senate Democrats get their black, democratic senator. While simultaneously screwing the Republicans out of a special election.

The people of Illinois get a Senator who, ostensibly, is free from any wrong doing, if not well known.

Lastly, the whole thing is perfectly legal.

I'm not exactly thrilled with the situation, but it could have been much worse.

[TWDtv]

Mika is such a joke. She tries to hard to be serious, when she is a joke of a joke.

[skyzefawlun]

Any politician with any self respect and integrity would turn down this appointment. The fact that he accepted it, is defending Blago, and insisting that he is untainted by the scandal is absurd. It's really hard to tell if he's just oblivious, ignorant, or such a corrupt two faced liar that he doesn't care who knows he's full of shit.

[supaman6565]

he is a lawyer, and the law supports his arguement - regardless of your emotional reasonings.

[joness105639]

sucks don't it?

[CalexanderJ]

Is Burris dumb or just pretending to be. I'm pretty sure that Burris is clean, but he HAS to know despite Blago's current LEGAL innocence, everything Blago touches is tainted. Burris accepted this position out of PURE ambition, not out of a desire to help the people of Illinois.

[btinder711]

You can sense he wants the power, he is not doing it "for the people for Illinois."

[HotLeper]

This guy Burris is as shameless as they come. If he had an ounce of integrity he would reject the appointment and denounce Blago.

[nt0xik8ed]

gotta have taint...

[Plutonwolf]

Sad to say, this appointment will stand. It's legal and constitutional. How ugly and sad.

[SJamesGray]

Please stop giving this story attention. Nobody takes anything happening around the controversy any real credit. Nobody will ever take Gov. B or this Burris seriously.

Somebody tell me, why the American public should care about this stuff?

[jiminportlandoregon]

Because the people who occupy these positions are very powerful and they also decide on many things that affect our lives on a daily basis for years to come. That's why people should care about "this stuff"?

[SJamesGray]

Err, your know, you and me have no power over what they do or say. Unless you're from Illinois. It's pointless for the consumer class to concern themselves with the lives of politicians outside of the ones we are capable of electing by our own means.

Besides, each human has equal power, politicians just have jobs where they have the ability to decide legislation. If you revere their power so much go run for office yourself bub.

[hypothetisch]

Because they have power.

[SJamesGray]

No more than you or I.

[drifterland]

This guy doesn't have a taint! Wow!!!