Burris Launches Campaign Site, Accepting Donations
Roland Burris hasn't given a definite answer as to whether he'll be running for a full term in 2010, but he's clearly taking the steps to run just in case the answer is yes. Burris now has a new campaign Web site, complete with a "Contribute" button:
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that a whole bunch of potential candidates are lining up on both sides to run for the seat. One possibility would even involve the state passing legislation to hold a special election in the middle of Burris' term, which he might challenge in court.
But if that Web site above means anything, it's that any new candidates should assume, until contrary evidence pops up, that they'll have one particular person as an opponent: Roland Burris.
(Via Politics1.)
Late Update: The Hotline reports that the site is a placeholder, set up by a Burris associate, and has been up since he was first seated, though it only just attracted notice. A Burris spokesperson says the Junior Senator from Illinois still hasn't made a decision about 2010.
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Nothing about this guy will surprise me except anything boring
March 2, 2009 9:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
like resigning for the good of the people of IL.
March 2, 2009 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Jesus, the guy has gone beyond "delusional" to full-blown insanity. That perjury indictment can't come soon enough.
March 2, 2009 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if the possiblity of a perjury indictment and the Senate ethics investigation are related to Roland Burris creating this website. I know nothing about campaign finance laws, but when I read this article my immeditate question was whether this might be a way for him to raise funds for his legal defense.
March 2, 2009 1:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
And he won't be able to play the race card at every turn - what else will he have to run on?
March 2, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
After getting beat like a rented mule in the primary for governor, Burris became an independent and ran for mayor of Chicago. In a city with 36% black population, he lost by 40 points to Daley.
So, there's no groundswell of support in the black community for this guy 15 years ago. And probably even less today.
March 2, 2009 10:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope Burris runs in 2010 and is totally and completely humiliated. I'm furious that Rush (directly) and Burris (implicitly) tried to tag Durbin a racist!
Durbin was a close friend and supporter of Carol Mosley Braun and pushed Obama to run for president. He's one of Obama's closest friends and confidants. The black community in IL loves Durbin so that "he wants to keep a black man out of the senate" dog won't hunt. But it's still infuriating to trot it out.
March 2, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would wait in long lines not to vote for Burris
March 2, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would wait in long lines not to vote for Burris
-----------------------
Whereas I feel the opposite: I would wait in long lines to vote for Not Burris.
March 2, 2009 11:06 AM | Reply | Permalink
Talk about blind ambition
March 2, 2009 10:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clicking on the "family" tab reveals that Burris' children are named Roland and Rolanda. Seems to fit.
March 2, 2009 10:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, good lord. You weren't kidding. That guy has an ego that dwarfs the universe, or even the multiverse, if there is one.
March 2, 2009 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you guys may be underestimating the potential for him to still play the race card.
What is needed for a they're-such-racists campaign? I don't have any professional knowledge (PR), but what I would instinctively want to put in place would be one local black politician to make the accusation (it could be anyone at any level), one or two media outlets ready to go with story, and then preferably one black and one white politician to confirm the story and run interference when some smartaleck wanted to correct the record and put the truth before Burris's greater good. ("I'd hate to see the Senator/Governor looking like he might be lining up on the side of racism, as I've never wanted to believe he harbored prejudice.")
Could such a cynical move undermine plans for a somewhat peculiar special election, one wonders?
As I've said before, this guy only leaves office if he is forced. Don't believe his "friends'" malarkey about how he'd put the state's interests first -- that's happy talk, nothing more.
March 2, 2009 10:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Another Burris Shocker! Admits Involvement in Teapot Dome Scandal
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=6263
March 2, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's odd that Burris' most distinctive act in office is never mentioned here. That was his attempt to have a 100% innocent man (Cruz) executed, in order to advance Burris' gubernatorial run. It was so blatant that the assistant AG in charge of the case resigned in protest. This guy is not just a little sleazy and dopey (lots of company) but a really evil bastard.
Google "Burris Cruz"
March 2, 2009 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's what troubles me most about Roland Burris as well. I wouldn't call him "a really evil bastard," but that case convinced me that he isn't a man of high integrity. He cared more about his political ambitions than the risk of executing an innocent man.
March 2, 2009 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a clown.
*shakes head*
March 2, 2009 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink