Joe Biden was denied a seat a the movie theater as we blogged below, while Roland Burris was also denied a seat at a different theater, "The Theater of The Absurd", also known as the US Senate. As most now know, 71 year old Illinois career politician Roland "Monument" Burris was injected into the spotlight this past week by accepting the racially motivated offer of Obama's tainted Senate seat from scandal drowning Hot Rod Blagojevich. In my opinion it's a senate seat that's been tainted ever sin

Rejected in his attempt to take a seat in the Senate, Roland Burris quietly accepted refusal of his credentials. Vote | Photos: Blagojevich and Burris

UPDATE: Roland Burris added to roll of shame, Friends of Blago, by the Illinois GOP:Mr. Burris, like many before him, stood silent as myriad federal investigations swarmed the Governor. In fact, when asked about Blagojevich's performance as Governor, Burris responded that he was doing, "a helluva job."“Roland Burris is emblematic of the problems facing Illinois and now believes he should represent us in the United States Senate,” said IL GOP Chairman And McKenna. “Mr. Burris’ attempted appointmen

National EmbarrassmentDemocrats are to blame Burris rejection should not lead to back room deal The Illinois Republican Party today condemned Blagojevich Democrats for fostering the national embarrassment that has come from the Roland Burris Senate appointment. “Blagojevich Democrats have made Illinois a national embarrassment,” said ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna. “Blagojevich Democrats could have stripped the Governor of his senate appointment power and passed a special election three weeks ago bu

Good Lord. Rep. Bobby Rush is also Rev. Rush. The former militant Black Panther has been through a lot of life changes. His ministry began after his election to Congress, a bit unusual. But his motivation appears to be quite business as usual politically. Emerging as one of Burris and, indirectly, Blago's biggest defenders, Rush has grotesquely played the race card, while hiding a few up his sleeve. Leftie columnist Mark Brown, Sun Times: During the last three years, two Englewood community organ

As if we're not laughable enough here: Only in Illinois?As legislators weigh impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich and federal prosecutors prepare to indict him on corruption charges, his acting chief of staff and a deputy governor will be keynote speakers Wednesday at an "Ethics in the Workplace" seminar for some 200 state employees.The governor's acting chief of staff, Clayton Harris III, is new to his post; his predecessor, John Harris, was arrested the same day as the governor and resigned Dec. 12.

Outrage! Dictatorial and slimy, in Chicago and now DC, it's the backroom Democrats. Democrat Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tosses out the reforms instituted in the 1994 GOP-run Contract with America Congress to term limit committee chairmen and protect the rights of the minority--opting instead for one-party backroom dealing, business as usual. Over on the Senate side Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, along with his No. 2, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is maneuvering to deny the vote

* This is probably the best mainstream media article today on what’s about to happen in the Illinois Senate… Gov. Rod Blagojevich could be out of a job by Feb. 4. That’s according to a tentative timeline taking shape among some state lawmakers, who are moving toward impeaching the scandal-plagued chief executive in the coming [...]

* A commenter posted a memo about this ethics training session on the blog yesterday. I meant to frontpage it, but forgot. The Tribune had a piece about the subject today… As legislators weigh impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich and federal prosecutors prepare to indict him on corruption charges, his acting chief of staff [...]

In what will come as little surprise to many, the Illinois Republican Party today disclosed Rod Blagojevich’s handpicked choice for the United State Senate, Roland Burris, as the newest member of the Blagojevich web on FriendsofBlago.com.Mr. Burris, like many before him, stood silent as myriad federal investigations swarmed the Governor. In fact, when asked about Blagojevich's performance as Governor, Burris responded that he was doing, "a helluva job."“Roland Burris is emblematic of the problem

Good morning, Congress will swear in its newest members today. Among those seeking entry to the Senate: Roland Burris, former attorney general for the state of Illinois, appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama as the junior...

The Illinois Republican Party today condemned Blagojevich Democrats for fostering the national embarrassment that has come from the Roland Burris Senate appointment.“Blagojevich Democrats have made Illinois a national embarrassment,” said ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna. “Blagojevich Democrats could have stripped the Governor of his senate appointment power and passed a special election three weeks ago but chose, instead, to play politics and allow Blagojevich to make this appointment.”McKenna also

For entertainment purposes only. And office pools. Updated as events warrant.The chance that . . . Roland Burris is the junior senator from Illinois: 50 percent. The Democrats botched this by putting party first.Roland Burris will run for re-election in 2010: 90 percent. Unless he's in bad health, regardless of what he says today. Dems will find him a useful primary spoiler anyway.Rod Blagojevich is impeached by state House: 50 percent. Only open to chance because state pols are so inept.Rod Blag

Nice pick Barack:New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract. Richardson's withdrawal was the first disruption of Obama's Cabinet process and the second "pay-to-play" investigation that has touched Obama's transition to the presidency. The president-elect has remained above the fray in both the c

Only in Illinois?

4 secret recordings to be reviewed first by defense lawyers, judge rules A federal judge Monday set a short timetable for defense lawyers to review four secret recordings made in the federal investigation of Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Some cracks in the simpering adulation and conformity of the MSM as AP's Ron Fournier welcomes the Barackstar to Washington. "Analysis: Barack Obama tested by stimulus, scandal":The next president of the United States understands that the power of his office has its limits, even in crisis. He knows, too, how weary voters are of the seamy, transactional side of politics as outlined in the cases involving Richardson and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich — the latter a "pay for play" scandal that may ye

Some Latino leaders in Chicago are at odds over whether the U.S. Senate should seat the politician appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

U.S. District Judge James Holderman, who earlier today gave U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald a deadline extension for seeking an indictment against Gov. Blagojevich, has now set the stage for the release to lawyers of the sought-after tapes of some of Blago's tapped phone conversations. Chief U.S. District Judge James Holderman gave defense lawyers until 5 p.m. Wednesday to say whether they approve of redactions in the conversations recommended by prosecutors. He set a Thursday hearing to discuss

* 3:24 pm - Judge Holderman has authorized the release of some wiretap tapes… A federal judge this afternoon authorized the release of secretly recorded conversations of Gov. Blagojevich, the first such release to the governor’s lawyers since Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest. Chief U.S. District Judge James Holderman gave defense lawyers until 5 p.m. Wednesday [...]

By Mike Dorning and Monique Garcia Roland Burris headed to Washington today to claim Illinois' disputed U.S. Senate seat, even as officials at the Senate rejected the paperwork sent by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to formally pave his way. Secretary of...

UPDATE: Gov. Blago sets special election dates for Rahm Emanuel's 5th congressional seat. Crain's.***Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn calls Illinois an "international laughing stock" and calls for a special election. Well, at least that's something. This should happen now. Quinn should not be appointing a temporary replacement--he's tainted too--plus we could have two tainted picks vying for the same seat, bogged down in legal challenges. And his idea of an "ethics commission" is a joke.Statements

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is breathing a sigh of relief this afternoon after U.S. Chief District Court Judge James Holderman granted Fitzy's request to extend the deadline for indicting Gov. Rod Blagojevich until April 7. The original deadline was, uh, this Wednesday. Fitzy had filed the request last week, claiming the case's complex nature was the reason more time was needed. The government charged Blagojevich in a criminal complaint, citing the need for speed to keep him from allegedly m

The Village Voice scans the righty blogosphere on the Blago imbroglio, suggesting I am making casual associations between Rod and Barack.Well, I would suggest a few notable connections.Along with Rahmbo, Barack Obama ran the strategy for Governor Blagojevich's election campaign. (Does this sound familiar?):During the primary, state Senator Barack Obama backed former Attorney General Burris, but supported Blagojevich after he won the primary at Burris' suggestion,[22] serving as a "top adviser" fo

Governor Blagojevich's choice for Senate, Roland Burris, appeared last night at a campaign rally, uh, church to defiantly state "I am now the junior Senator from Illinois":The prayer service was organized by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), who has accused Senate Democrats of using racial motivations to refuse to seat Burris, Illinois' first statewide elected black official. On Sunday night, Rush called the Senate "one of the last bastions of plantation and racial politics in America" and said Sena

Ladies and gentlemen, start your campaign engines. Now that Rahm Emanuel has officially resigned his Fifth U.S. Congressional District seat, it's time to pick a new representative. Beleaguered Governor Rod Blagojevich has set March 3 as the date of the primary election and April 7 as the general election. Given all the interest expressed in the seat, we put the over/under on the final number of candidates at lucky 13. Because it is, after all, the seat once occupied by Blago. [Trib]

Roland Burris heads off to Capital Hill today and the fireworks have already begun. The secretary of the senate, Nancy Erickson, today rejected Burris’s appointment certification because it didn’t include Secretary of State Jesse White’s signature as required. Without the certification, Burris will be barred from entering the Senate floor. Burris yesterday said he hoped his appointment would go smoothly as he spoke to hundreds gathered at New Covenant Baptist Church. “I am now the junior senator

Prosecutors in the corruption case against Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich just got three more months to present evidence and get an indictment....

Reid and Durbin tee up on Blagojevich’s claims regarding Reid’s conversations with Blagojevich: Reid accused Blagojevich of “making all this up” and denied saying “who not to appoint.” Durbin, on ABC’s “This Week,” likewise pointed the finger at the two-term Democratic governor. “It’s an outrage that the Blagojevich people, in the last days of their administration, facing [...]

(AP) — A federal judge Monday gave prosecutors an additional three months to obtain a corruption indictment against Gov. Rod Blagojevich, saying the complexity of the case against him makes it "unreasonable" to expect the indictment sooner. Chief Judge James F. Holderman's decision to grant ...

Kuma's Corner's January special is particularly topical: the "#@(*&%^ Blagojevich" consists of a 10 oz. hamburger patty, thick sliced bologna and yellow mustard between two grilled cheese sandwiches (made with American cheese and wonder bread), and a large dollar sign...

* 10:43 am - The DC dance has formally begun… Firing the first shot in Washington in the fight over the appointment of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, Gov. Blagojevich’s acting chief of staff hand-delivered Burris’ nomination certificate to the Capitol this morning — only to see it rejected by the secretary of the [...]

By Chris Fusco Chicago Sun-Times Staff Reporter Firing the first shot in Washington in the fight over Roland Burris' appointment as Illinois' next U.S. senator, Gov. Blagojevich's acting chief of staff hand-delivered Burris' nomination paper to the U.S. Capitol this...

* The non-impeachment/Blagojevich/Burris setup… [A] new state law… went into effect Thursday requiring first-time DUI offenders to install breath-monitoring devices in any vehicle they want to drive… The equipment, called a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device, or BAIID, requires a driver to blow into a tube so his or her breath can be tested. The car [...]

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna today expressed serious concerns over reports of back room deals regarding the appointment of Rod Blagojevich’s Senator, Roland Burris. CNN reported this afternoon that “some in Democratic leadership” would be open to seating Roland Burris in the Senate as long as he agrees not to run in 2010.“Enough is enough - the people of Illinois have already had their Senate seat sold to the highest bidder, they don’t need more back room deals surrounding Gov

* As I told you yesterday, the House impeachment committee met behind closed doors… Drawing criticism from Gov. Blagojevich’s lawyer, the House impeachment panel Sunday quietly fine-tuned a draft report that could be used to oust Blagojevich from office. […] Without public notice, panel members gathered informally in Springfield on Sunday to review a 54-page draft [...]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Republicans say the special election to fill an empty congressional seat is a chance to replace a U.S. senator too.Gov. Rod Blagojevich has set an April 7 special election to replace Rahm Emanuel, who left the House to become President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff.GOP party chairman Andy McKenna says that's the date Illinoisans should choose a Senate successor for Obama too.Democrats initially backed a special vote for senator after Blagojevich was arrest

* From the Sun-Times… The federal corruption probe that has shone a national spotlight on Gov. Blagojevich now has his brother — who chairs his campaign fund — increasingly under the microscope. Law enforcement authorities, who are sifting through thousands of tape recordings in the case, have shown interest in talking with Robert Blagojevich, not only [...]

Kuma's Corner is jumping on the Blagojevich train, as if you needed another reason to head to Kuma's this month. Their January special is the "#@(*&%^ Blagojevich." This gubernatorial-inspired monstrosity is made with a 10 oz. hamburger patty, thick sliced bologna and yellow mustard between two grilled cheese sandwiches (made with American cheese and wonder bread). When the burger comes out, one of the sandwiches has a large dollar sign written in mustard. The cost of this beast: $10, but Kuma

Good morning, President-elect Barack Obama meets with congressional leaders in Washington today. Roland Burris, appointed to Obama's Senate seat by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, arrives to prepare for the swearing-in of senators on Tuesday -- a ceremony which Democratic leaders...

Greg Hinz, Crain's Chicago BusinessIt's going to be an uncommonly eventful week in the world of Illinois government and politics, and the first move comes from--who else--Gov. Rod Blagojevich.The embattled governor just announced Monday morning that the primary election to fill Rahm Emanuel's North Side seat in Congress will be held on March 3, with the general election between the Democratic and GOP nominees on April 7.For once, the gov is playing good guy. The April 7 date fits into the consol

“Today’s rejection of Blagojevich Democrat Roland Burris in the United States Senate is another reminder of the need for a special election in Illinois.“Democrats refused to strip Rod Blagojevich of his appointment powers resulting in the current constitutional crisis so lawmakers need to act immediately to avoid making the same mistake twice and give the people the power to choose their next United States Senator.“A vote of the people is the only way to avoid tainting the Illinois Senate seat."

"Pat Quinn's attempts to re-write history and cultivate a newfound reformer image are laughable."In 2006 Pat Quinn called Rod Blagojevich honest in the face of myriad federal investigations and was more than happy to be a direct beneficiary of Blagojevich's tainted campaign funds."If Pat Quinn was serious about reforming Illinois, he would have done it prior to being Rod Blagojevich's running mate in 2006 and before the Governor's arrest 27 days ago."

J. Taylor Rushing, The HillSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) indicated Sunday that there is a chance that controversial Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris could be seated in the upper chamber.Reid, who appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said the Senate has the legal authority to deny Burris a seat in the chamber because of the corruption charges facing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) over allegedly trying to auction off the opening created by Obama’s departure. “We’re going to d

Nedra Pickler, Associated PressWASHINGTON — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract.Richardson's withdrawal was the first disruption of Obama's Cabinet process and the second "pay-to-play" investigation that has touched Obama's transition to the presidency. The president-elect has remained a

Natasha Korecki, Chicago Sun-TimesThe federal corruption probe that has shone a national spotlight on Gov. Blagojevich now has his brother -- who chairs his campaign fund -- increasingly under the microscope.Law enforcement authorities, who are sifting through thousands of tape recordings in the case, have shown interest in talking with Robert Blagojevich, not only about the governor, but other aspects of the investigation, the Sun-Times has learned.Asked whether the former U.S. Army commander w

Journal GazetteCHICAGO - Congressman Mark Kirk says embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's career is coming to an end.The Republican says lawmakers should impeach Blagojevich so Illinois can move on. That includes allowing Lt. Gov Pat Quinn to appoint a replacement for President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.Blagojevich faces corruption charges that accuse him of trying to sell Obama's seat for money or favors. He's denied wrongdoing. Last week, he appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland

Okay, I've had enough. No more sitting on the circus sidelines for me. We need a special election to fill Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Obviously, Rod Blagojevich doesn't get it....

Scott Reeder, Quad Cities OnlineSPRINGFIELD -- Just call them Rod Blagojevich’s willing beneficiaries.Or perhaps "political whores" would be a more appropriate moniker.Pat Quinn and Roland Burris made pacts with the political devil. And now they want to avoid the consequences. Quinn has taken to bad-mouthing the "Blagojevich administration." Every time, he does it, I roll my eyes. After all, Quinn was the governor’s running mate -- twice. The millions of dollars in contributions the Blagojevich

Editorial, Chicago TribuneIf the Illinois House votes to impeach the sitting governor of this state, will the resulting trial in the Senate be fair?No, we don't mean fair to Rod Blagojevich. He'll be fine. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald will preside and he has always run an honest and unbiased courtroom.The question here is whether the people of Illinois can get a fair trial. Many of the next legislature's 59 state senators have been serial enablers of the governor.The Se

Editorial, Chicago TribuneWe know what Roland Burris wants: a U.S. Senate seat he thinks he's earned by riding shotgun to an accused felon.We know what Rod Blagojevich wants: to share the humiliation that has doomed his own big dreams by now humiliating as many other public figures as he can. We know what Dick Durbin and Pat Quinn want—or wanted—because they told us early in this fiasco: a special election to fill Illinois' vacant Senate seat. Durbin and Quinn have since lost their voices on thi

Appointee Roland Burris declares himself the state's newest senator U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Gov. Rod Blagojevich "corrupt" Sunday and accused him of trying to divert attention from his criminal case by falsely alleging Reid opposed African-American candidates seeking Illinois' Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama .

Audio AvailableA federal judge is giving prosecutors more time to indict Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich faces corruption charges for influence peddling and for allegedly attempting to sell the senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Candidates looking to fill the seat of former Congressman Rahm Emanuel have a busy few months ahead of them. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has called a special election in the Fifth Congressional District on April 7. Charlie Wheelan is a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago and a Democratic candidate for that seat.WHEELAN: Usually you've got years or at least months to build a war chest, decide how you want to spend it, strategize. We've got to do what you would normally do in about t

Audio AvailableThere are a number of developments today in the federal corruption case against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. The judge will consider releasing some tapes and transcripts of federal wiretap recordings made of the governor. Related:Quinn launches review panelUnfiltered: Burris leaves for D.C. 

Audio AvailableFederal prosecutors are expected in court today, to ask a judge for more time to get an indictment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. And there's more. They also want the okay to share some of their evidence with state lawmakers who are considering impeaching the governor.

Bill Richardson withdraws from the Obama team., "citing a pending investigation into a company that has done business with his state."Charlie Rangel and Chris Dodd are still there. Roland Burris is on his way.The Democrat culture of corruption reeks. The Chicago Swamp meets the DC Swamp.UPDATE: The Politico on the Dems tough spot. Heh: “He's exercising his constitutional responsibilities and authority,” Burris said of Blagojevich in an interview on PBS on Friday. “One other example is with my goo

Chris Muir cartoon.Presumably those thrown off the campaign plane are on their own.P.S. Carol Marin tempting fate:The press corps, most of us, don't even bother raising our hands any more to ask questions because Obama always has before him a list of correspondents who've been advised they will be called upon that day.We reporters have earned our own membership in the Bizarro universe.Who are we, after all? The ones rapid-firing at Rod Blagojevich with tough questions until we drive him from the

UPDATE: Yes, Barack has a rival for stardom. Jack Higgins cartoon, Sun Times. Carol Marin: "Obama, Blago flip sides of Bizarro plotline: " Barack Obama jogged only slightly ahead of Rod Blagojevich across the news landscape of the past month, the glistening horizon of a new Camelot ahead, perhaps, but the jagged outline of the clouted city not far behind."***In the sheer exhilaration of the impending Age of Obama, it's understandable that some stories are overlooked. One that might not be c

by Mark Silva Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is "corrupt,'' the way Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid sees it, explaining why the Senate cannot seat his appointee, Roland Burris, to the vacant seat of President-elect Barack Obama. Blagojevich is about to...

Dem Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid pressured Blago on Senate pick. Sun Times. WSJ asks, if Roland Burris isn't fit for the Senate, how is Chris Dodd? Harry Reid vs. the Constitution.Blago loses Homeland Security clearance. Tribune:The Illinois Emergency Management Agency received a memo about Homeland Security's decision on Dec. 9, the day Blagojevich was arrested, said IEMA spokeswoman Patti Thompson. The memo was brief and did not include a reason for the action. Thompson said that the head

(AP) — An attorney representing Roland Burris has written to U.S. Senate Democratic leaders asking them to seat his client, the man embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich has appointed. Attorney Timothy Wright tells the Chicago Tribune he plans to go to federal court if the Senate refuses to seat ...

UPDATE 5:55 P.M. CHICAGO TIME Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) hits Gov. Blagojevich following the report of his conversations with him about filing the vacant Obama Senate seat. Reid statement below, followed by Chicago Sun-Times front page Sunday story...

Poor Governor Rod Blagojevich. Everyone's picking on him. First, those no-good feds arrest for simply trying to get the best deal for the empty senate seat. Then everyone gets their panties in a tangle over his appointment of Roland Burris as the new Senator. Now, those jerkstores at the Department of Homeland Security are telling him he is no longer allowed to access classified federal security information. Totally not cool, guys. Every governor is given such a clearance by Homeland Security to

It's the Chicago way. Use to suffering of others to advance yourself. This time it's the Chicago Republican Party -- yes, there is one -- seeking to capitalize on the misfortune of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The local party sent out an email invite this morning to "join the party for the post-Blagojevich era."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich's access to classified federal security information, officials said Friday.The move withdraws the governor's access to classified information, although Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said other individuals within state and local government have access and the head of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency has usually been the main contact in emergencies.The revocation was 'pretty standard procedure,' Guerr

Monday promises to be a fun filled day when the government releases portions of the Blago tapes:Days before Gov. Blagojevich was charged with trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder, top Senate Democrat Harry Reid made it clear who he didn’t want in the post: Jesse Jackson, Jr., Danny Davis or Emil Jones. Rather, Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, so

Open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senator Reid, and Senator McConnellIllinois Republican Leaders including Congressman John Shimkus, House Republican Leader Tom Cross, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, ILGOP Chairman Andy McKenna, and Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association President Randy Pollard released the following open letter to President-Elect Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell urging them to demand