Burris selection a victory for black empowerment

Burris showed poor judgment. That appointment wasn't serious - Blagojevich didn't pick him because of his talent or integrity - he picked him as a cynical parting shot on his way to jail. What would Burris do next, you have to ask. Give this guy a pass? A job? Blagojevich is worse than damaged goods - he's a tinpot dictator and you don't take gifts from wise guys like that and not get smeared with dirt yourself. As they used to say: Those who lay down with dogs, get up with fleas.

Perhaps Burris would make a good senator, but he should never have accepted this nomination. However honorable he claims to be, however competent he really is, the fact remains that he's been appointed by the man who has been accused of and is currently under investigation for trying to sell this very seat. In my eyes, Burris' suddenly renewed faith in the governor and his willingness to look past those accusations, makes him seem more like an opportunist than a devoted public servant. This seems to be a manipulation on the part of Governor Blagojevich to turn the attention away from himself by playing "the race card". That there are those in positions of authority willing to accept this "token" appointment just to get a black face into the Senate or just to fill the seat because a new session is starting soon, really speaks to their integrity. I know that as a community we want to see ourselves in more high ranking legislative offices,but this is not the way to do it.

Accepting corrupted White man's bribery is "Black empowerment"? What kind of logic is this?

Mark understand this,the democratic party in Illinois is at stake here you all will loose a substatail white vote in your next election,this incident won't be forgotten no time soon. Many of you in the media and those of you who are activist you are not representing the Black Community well. But I believe both the Black & White Community will suprize you all at the next election. Mark,why don't you help organize the young black male activist in chicago to come together and create programs that educate,certify and empower them. So that they may take care of their young famlies.

Ron Lee: I don't normally reply to others comments, as I am a contributor to this site. However, your logic is off base. The bottom line is this is a LEGAL issue not an emotional one. Burris IS qualified and legally the governor is still the governor. Are we to nullify any and all actions he's taken as governor just becaused he has been charged and not even idicted? Are we to nullify all the "good" bills he's signed into law lately? America is not perfect, but when we start trampling on the Constitiution beause we don't like someone or their actions, even though the actions are legal, we head down a dangerous slippery slope that could undermine individual liberties that we are supposed to hold sacret and that many BLACK people died for. --Rick Blalock

How is this a win for Black empowerment? Blago didn't select Burris based on his qualifications, he selected him because he wanted to hurt his party. He knew that when Reid and others criticized the selection, a small but vocal group of Black people would make this issue about race, when it's not. He wanted to encourage those who yell racist about everything because they aren't smart enough to come up with any other arguements to bolster their positions. Here are some reasons why this selection bad: Burris will be tainted because of Blago's current legal problems. Many voters will not trust him, so, when his term is up, he will not be re-elected, and the Dems will lose this seat. Why not address those issues, instead of yellng racism.

It says quite a bit about black americans that they are now yelling that Burris was the affirmative action pick.

Black Emppowerment? What's that. Until we learn to be as one like Latinos and most whites; we or I will never know about black empowerment. I think as long as you have people like Bob Johnson, Clarence Thomas etc; black empowerment wont exist.

Ron Lee, you live in Illinois? You are right again. No African American will win that seat in 2010 Unless may be Jesse white the sec of state I was saying in a previous post that he could get votes from northern Illinois but not the south.

Race isn't a part of this at all. What I see is a question of whether or not the nominee is tainted or not. Anyone put up by a governor who was caught selling the seat will be considered as someone who might have bought their way in, or, at the very least, was chosen to distract from Blago's current problems. Nobody with any class, or sense of how this is perceived, would accept a nomination from Blagojevich.

All yall that agrees with "Nobody with any class, or sense of how this is perceived, would accept a nomination from Blagojevich" should feel bad now that it's in the open that the elephant in the room is RACE. Harry Reid did not want any blacks in the seat. He told this to Blago in so many words via phone. I hope this comment get posted unlike my original comment when this story was first posted.

Ro,Could you include the quote where Harry Reid says that he did not want any blacks in the seat? I remember him saying (in so many words) that he didn't want any nominee that Blagojevch made in the seat, because he was arrested and is under investigation for trying to sell that seat. Race is always the elephant in the room, but it was never an issue in this whole fracas until the Governor appointed an African American for the seat. Now suddenly, if this guy isn't approved, its racism? Even the President-Elect agrees that while Burris may have a solid reputation, ANY nomination made by Blagojevich will be tainted. He tried to sell the seat!! For heavens sake, he was caught on tape!!

How is it a victory when the Governor gave him the slot as a coy. Blagojevich is playing a political game. Let's not fall for it. Otherwise he would have given the sit to Jesse Jackson, Jr. That seat will be lost come general election time.

Folks wake up and smell the political coffee. Race is written all over this selection. It is ok to admit the obvious and when Burris comes out and admits it, you all will have pie in your face!