Blago Pulls a Fast One

Governor Rod Blagojevich pulled one of the gutsiest political move in months .
The Governor Of Illinois who governs under a political mushroom cloud appointed former Attorney General Roland Burris as United States Senator . Blagojevich has not been convicted of any crimes , nor has he been indicted . In fact the Chicago U.S. Attorney has asked more time from the Federal Judge to ask for a indictment.
Now what makes this a gutsy move , is that Governor Blagojevich said that he still has the power. You know what he does ... The governor has not been removed or impeached therefore he has the constitutional right to appoint. Burris was appointed by the process that is in place , nor is he one of the individuals named by Patrick Fitzgerald .



Senate designate Burris will no doubt be tainted by his association with Governor Blagojevich .Burris 'career is quite distinguished as state officeholder.
Burris has previously ran statewide races for governor and senator ,losing races to the eventual winners Paul Simon and Rod Blagojevich. Roland Burris was the highest elected Black official in Illinois prior to Barack Obama .Burris served as the former state comptroller from 1979-1991 and state attorney general 1991-1995.
The appointment of Burris also will force the United States Senate to decide whether or not a black Senator will be seated by the duly recognized process .
Ironic that another capitol legislative body will determine whether a black official will be seated , the last time this was debated was by the United States House of Representatives in 1967 when Representative Adam Clayton Powell was denied his seat by the House. The people of Harlem reelected Adam Clayton Powell after he was expelled from the House. Ultimately Powell won his right to be seated in the Supreme Court case Powell vs. McCormack .
With this as a background , I found it ironic that Bobby Rush ,the former 1960's Black Panther ,now United States Congressman stood with Senate designate Burris and Governor Blagojevich this past week.Now the Blagojevich spectacle goes to Congress where Burris will be championed by the last successful political opponent of President Elect Barack Obama , Congressman Bobby Rush . Will the Senate , decide not to seat Roland Burris ? The Senate will probably seat Roland Burris after deliberation and consultation. Blagojevich is another matter ,that issue should be left up to the courts and the process and not the press to determine his guilt or innocence.