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Live video, live blogging of Burris’ City Club appearance
Wednesday, Feb 18, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller * 12:14 pm - Watch Sen. Roland Burris’ City Club address live via CBS2 by clicking here. The Sun-Times is live-blogging Sen. Burris’ appearance as well. I have other things to do, so please help others by live-blogging here in comments. Thanks. * 1:03 pm - I was only paying half attention, but I didn’t hear much new. Same old “Roland Burris is a great guy and you all know it” pablum. Now come the questions. Asked if all the facts are now out. “They’re out from me,” but he joked that he didn’t know if they were all out. And it’s over. Burris refused to take questions about specific aspects of the appointment controversy. Pretty much useless.
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- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:38 pm:
Ald. Burke is introducing Burris (no, I’m not kidding).
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:40 pm:
Enough with the glowing comments about who is going to stand with Burris during his current “challenge”. Now comparing Burris to Cardinal Bernardin saying “Lord why are you visiting this upon me as you know I am not guilty of what I’m being accused of.” That was true of Bernardin. “The truth shall set you free”. Yes sir, we are hoping when the truth comes out, Burris will be set free of his position as the Jr. Senator from Illinois.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:40 pm:
He mentioned all of the “honorable” people that Burris has run against. Blago was mentioned. That was funny.
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:41 pm:
Burris now spearking. I’ll read comments rather than listen to him. Just can’t do it.
- How Ironic - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:45 pm:
Just finished talking about being turned away at the door, and standing in the rain.
Didn’t mention almost walking into traffic.
Now, he’s making excuses about his phones being too busy, and no one answering.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:47 pm:
Boilerplate on the economy.
- Shore - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:47 pm:
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/wilmette/news/1436683,bg-israel-021709-s1.article
I have no inside information, but if a guy was seriously considering a run for U.S. Senate a year from now in a state that’s been trending heavily away from his party, wouldn’t he be working overtime to get his campaign going rather than touring a country he’s visited probably more than 2 dozen times?
- Ghost - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:49 pm:
“economy forcing us to do more with less, Burris said.”
Such as one less senator?
- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
A new wind is blowing across Washington alright. It’s called Hot Air Roland.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
Boilerplate on stimulus bill
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:54 pm:
=== in a state that’s been trending heavily away from his party===
Um, you got poll numbers on that one?
Also, traveling to Europe, Turkey and Cyprus to boost foreign policy bona fides qualifies as getting his campaign together, I think.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:56 pm:
“you know the real Roland, if I had done the things I’m accused of, I’d be embarrassed to be standing in front of you”
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:57 pm:
It is very painful just listening to him try to read his speech. No wonder he needs Wright at his side to take over when he is unscripted. He really is pitiful.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:57 pm:
== “you know the real Roland, if I had done the things I’m accused of, I’d be embarrassed to be standing in front of you” === /cough monument
- Shore - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:57 pm:
The article refers to Mark Kirk.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 12:59 pm:
Here comes more lies-I sense another story change.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:00 pm:
“30 years in public life and not a hint of scandal”
“stop the rush to judgement”
“I have nothing to hide”
“misinformation in the media”
“simple as 1-2-3″
1. I told people around the governor I wanted to serve in the Senate.
2. No, I did not have conversations about my appointment with anyone but the governor’s attorney.
3. Yes, the govs brother reached out to me to do fundraising. I didn’t give a single dollar to the governor.
I have nothing to hide and I will continue to be transparent.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:01 pm:
LOL. OK. Sorry, didn’t click the link. Still stands.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:02 pm:
done speaking. now questions?
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:04 pm:
He had all kinds of conversations with all kinds of people including the media expressing his interest in the Senate job.
He had no conversations with anyone about actually being “appointed” to the position?
Did I hear that right?
- John Bambenek - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:05 pm:
There are plenty of reasons why certain parties fare beter or worse over time… Ideology being one but not the only. The GOP got drubbed in 2002 because of Ryan and revalations regarding Rolando Cruz, among others. The Burris fiasco doesn’t need to be. Fueled by Kirk, he just need to let it play out and capitalize later.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:06 pm:
Lou, what’s the matter, you can’t see the distinction?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:07 pm:
“not been notified that I’m the subject of any investigation”
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:07 pm:
When listening to Roland Burris it is always very important to remember you are listening to Roland Burris. I always try to underestimate him and have not been disappointed yet.
- Hair today, gone.... - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:09 pm:
the audio on ch 2 isn’t loud enough!
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:13 pm:
Was it wrong for you to solicit funds for RB while you were being considered for the Senate?
“I was never considered for the Senate.”
Done.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:13 pm:
Seems to me the House floor action is a lot more exciting right now… looks like Rod’s delayed action time bombs are starting to go off.
- Shore - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:14 pm:
Kirk fought for 4 years to keep a seat that didn’t get a democratic challenger 10 years ago. The GOP has lost a congressional seat in each of the last 3 congressional elections.
With all due respect, and I enjoy this blog, I don’t see how visiting Turkey and Cyprus gives someone foreign policy bona fides. Visiting the West Bank, Beijing ,Baghdad, and Afghanistan would be a start. This seems more like a junket.
- Pat Collins - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:22 pm:
but if a guy was seriously considering a run for U.S. Senate a year from now in a state that’s been trending heavily away from his party,
Well, if you wanted to fundraise in a state with a significant Jewish population, a visit to Israel in the aftermath of the recent Gaza battles might not be a bad idea.
Especially if some on the other side seem to be maybe a bit to partial to the other side?
GOP has lost a congressional seat in each of the last 3 congressional elections.
Well, certainly 2008 was a perfect storm, and 06 not much better. I would take the view that if you survived that, you are likely in a good position to do well when the wind is behind your sails.
- Quinn T. Sential - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:34 pm:
Shore; Kirk knows the territory well. He was flying missions over Baghdad as a Navy fighter pilot.
- Shore - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:41 pm:
Kirk’s been working on foreign affairs issues for that district since the mid 1980’s where Israel is THE issue. He’s probably been there several times and knows most of the big jewish donors in the chicago area already. The trip sounds more like the move of a congressman doing constituent maintenance work than someone getting ready to win a state fight.
Losing 3 congressional seats having 3 others threatened (Biggert, Roskam, Kirk) isn’t a positive trend, and Paul Green seems to agree in Crains this week.
Cyprus is nowhere near the top 15 in terms of major foreign policy issues facing this country. It’s a small regional issue at best, and isn’t in the same class as going to Baghdad to meet with Ambassador Crocker/Hill, or talking ISI with Anne Patterson in Pakistan.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:41 pm:
==Shore; Kirk knows the territory well. He was flying missions over Baghdad as a Navy fighter pilot.==
Careful there, Quinn. I think you’re being a little careless with your language and history. Kirk hasn’t made that claim.
- Steve - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 1:48 pm:
It was interesting seeing Carol Ronan in front right near the speakers podium, is she with Senator Burris now ?
- AliveInFive - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 2:01 pm:
Capt Kirk was never a fightre pilot I think he sast in rear of a spy plane listening to radios
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 3:28 pm:
For those who think Cyprus is unimportant to the USA, consider this:
“It’s proximity to the Middle East hot spots.” (Hint: A British built military air base sits there.)
“The fact that two NATO powers (Greece/Turkey) fight over it.”
“The fact that after 30+ years, Turkey still militarily occupies a significant portion of the island.”
“The fact that while the Greek side of the island prospers and is now part of the European Economic Union, the Turkish side is impoverished.”
I would think that those issues surrounding Cyprus alone (there are more) would be a good study for someone who wants to be the next Jr. Senator from Illinois.
Add the fact that Giannoulias is Greek-American who lived in Greece for a while and that his family owns property in Greece, and the fact that Turkey and Greece go from despising each other to merely tolerating each other before despising each other again, it can’t make the Turks happy right now to see Giannoulias getting such a push from a major Democrat.
The Turks now probably wish they allowed GOP Bush the right to invade neighboring Iraq through Turkey instead of saying “no.”
Louis G. Atsaves
- Shore - Wednesday, Feb 18, 09 @ 4:51 pm:
Mexico drug war, Afghanistan, North Korea, Iraq, Israel-Palestinian, Climate Change, Energy, Russia, spread of wmd, Pakistan, destabilization of Eastern Africa, Darfur ect ect all are issues of much greater significance than this. Rich is great, and I wish he was on Chicago Tonight more, but this is giving Alexi too much credit.