Inspire Political Discourse

Burris' Son Hired by Blagojevich to Work for State

:: The good news for Burris just never ends. Currently the subject of a Senate ethics probe, and a perjury investigation by the top prosecutor in Sangamon County, this is the icing on the proverbial cake.
Burris'  son, a federal tax deadbeat, was hired to provide counsel for the state's housing authority on Sept. 10. If nothing else, this just looks bad. And, in spite of repeated calls from both Democrats and Republicans for Burris to resign, the man simply won't.

From the Chicago Sun Times:

Blagojevich's administration hired Roland W. Burris II as a senior counsel for the state's housing authority Sept. 10 -- about six weeks after the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $34,163 tax lien on Burris II and three weeks after a mortgage company filed a foreclosure suit on his South Side house.

Burris II's hiring, however, raises more questions about Sen. Burris' interactions with Blagojevich and his inner circle at a time when the governor was soliciting Sen. Burris for campaign contributions and Burris was angling to have Blagojevich appoint him to the Senate seat once held by President Obama.

Image source AP. 
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Random Politics: Oh Those Republicans.....

Wow, it's only Tuesday, and the Republicans are having quite the week already.

The politicizing GOP govs were chastised by Sen. Schumer, who told them, and everyone else, that the stimulus for their states is not a multiple-choice sort of deal. Um, duh. And then, to make it sweeter, the Pres himself had a go at them.

Obama gave a great, inspiring speech, outlining huge reforms, and touting as the end result a USA that will be better and stronger than ever.

In a masterful and entertaining stroke of PURE GOLD HYPOCRISY, Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) called on Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) to resign his Senate seat. Vitter is the idiot who refused to resign when caught in his own ethical shortcomings a couple of years ago. Think DC Madam + Vitter. You would think Vitter would be smart enough to lay low. Not.

In July 2007, published reports identified Vitter as a client of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jeane Palfrey, whom federal prosecutors convicted of running a prostitution ring. Vitter responded by publicly admitting "a very serious sin in my past," but never offered specifics and was never called to testify in Palfrey's 2008 trial. Palfrey committed suicide last spring between her conviction and sentencing.

Vitter refused calls seeking his resignation and is running for re-election in 2010.

But the most interesting stuff about Vitter's own ethical issues is here, and involves....diapers.  Heh.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin is told to pay $7000 in back taxes because she charged the taxpayers for her kids travel and had an ethics complaint filed against her. Poor, poor Sarah.

The Republican gov of Utah, Jon Huntsman Jr., calls the GOP congressional leadership irrelevant. Gasp.

Michael Steele threatened to punish GOP Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter because they voted yes on the stimulus package. He would do this by withholding RNC monies for their re-election bids. Steele, you are a FOOL. Really.

We learned that web pages mocking Bush, rank higher in Google than his own library site. Way to go, Google!

George Will has brought down the rep of the Washington Post, which has moved towards becoming a right-wing rag since Katherine Graham died (RIP). Stick to baseball, Georgie.

The GOP has caused Schwarzenegger to rethink his party affiliation. Remember people......this is the guy that 43 called "Conan the Republican". Ouch.

Bobby Jindal gave a really sad speech in response to the Pres' inspiring speech. In fact he sounded like he was talking to a kindergarten class ---what a blooming IDIOT!!  ps.....Overheard during Obama's speech: the Republicans claiming that they have tried to be bi-partisan, but Obama has not. OMG, give these people a CLUE, please!

Obama kicks GOP ass with one hand tied behind his back, and makes it look nice and easy.

So tell me, what goes better with schadenfreude - a good brandy or a nice Pinot Gris or Merlot? Think I'll opt for an Amaretto.

Roland Burris Update or Will This Guy Ever Take a Bow and Leave the Stage?

:: Okay. On Friday, President Obama told Burris to spend time over the weekend considering his future. Or, in other words, Obama would like to see Burris resign, as would most Democrats, although the White House did not come out and say that in so many words. From the AP:

WASHINGTON — The White House on Friday called on embattled Illinois Sen. Roland Burris to take the weekend to think about his future.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs would not go so far as to call on Burris to resign from the Senate, as Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn did on Friday.

:: Today, Burris' office said that Burris plans to attend the Pres.' speech tomorrow night. My only question is, will this man ever get it??

WASHINGTON — Embattled U.S. Sen. Roland Burris plans to return to Washington in time to attend President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.
Burris's office said the senator was in Chicago on Monday but planned to return to Washington to conduct legislative business and attend Obama's speech to the House and Senate, meeting jointly

Additional/recent articles on the Burris saga:

• Washington Post, Chicago Tribune Call For Burris Resignation
• Democrat: Burris "in deep shit"
• White House To Burris: Think About Your Future This Weekend
• Burris' Chief Of Staff Quits
• BREAKING: Governor Quinn Calls On Burris To Resign
• Darrel Thompson Jumps Off Burris Ship
• Senate Ethics Panel Could Act on Burris Without Waiting for Criminal Investigation 
• Sam Stein Schakowsky: Hold Election Even If Burris Doesn't Resign
• Quinn: Burris Should Resign Next Week
• What Burris Knew- And Didn't Say- Under Oath
• Source: Feds interview Burris about Blagojevich
• Burris Attending Obama's Speech Despite White House Warning
• James Warren: For Burris, It's Hail Mary Time

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Burris Lied, and Refuses to Resign!!

:: Damn that conniving Burris!! I think I almost hate a rotten Democrat more than I do the rotten Republicans, as I expect less from the Repubs.
Burris' case has now been referred to a prosecutor. RESIGN, Burris!! 
From the Chicago Tribune -bolding is mine:

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has acknowledged he sought to raise campaign funds for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the request of the governor’s brother at the same time he was making a pitch to be appointed to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.
Burris' latest comments in Peoria Monday night were the first time he has publicly said he was actively trying to raise money for Blagojevich. Previously Burris has left the impression that he always balked at the issue of raising money for the governor because of his interest in the Senate appointment.

Image source Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune. 
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Political News Summary: Friday, Jan. 9, 2009

:: Fox News uses a fake expert on terrorism to slam a Muslim rep's visit to Mecca.

Fox News continues to destroy what there is of it's rep as a news org.

“Fox News published a report Thursday slamming Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison by featuring a discredited “terrorism expert.” Ellison’s hajj pilgrimage to Mecca last month, an important part of his Muslim faith, was paid for by the Muslim America Society of Minnesota, an organization that has earned the respect of the Minnesota Council of Churches, the St. Paul Police Department and former Vice President Walter Mondale, but also has been a target by mainly right-wing blogs and think tanks.

Steven Emerson called the Minnesota nonprofit “the Muslim equivalent of the neo-Nazi party.” Of Ellison he said, “It’s very troubling that he is trying to project an image of moderation, but he is tied to these radical groups.” Fox News did not disclose Emerson’s ample volume of false reports, anti-Muslim diatribes, frivolous lawsuits and discredited statements.”Source: The Minnesota Independent

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:: Obama vows that his administration will not allow torture.

This is great, but I would like to know if he intends to appoint a special investigator.
I am torn as to whether Bush and company should be prosecuted. They certainly deserve to be, but I can not think that it would be good for this country if they are.

“"I was clear throughout this campaign and was clear throughout this transition that under my administration the United States does not torture," Obama said, when asked at the news conference whether he would continue the Bush administration's policy of harsh interrogation. "We will abide by the Geneva Conventions. We will uphold our highest ideals."”Source: MSNBC

Political News Summary: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009

:: In today's presser, Obama welcomed Kaine as the new chair of the DNC, and praised Dean's legacy.  

If not for Howard Dean, Obama very likely would not be preparing to assume the presidency. Kaine set three goals for the DNC: 1)promoting Obama’s agenda; 2)carrying the Democratic banner; and 3) encouraging voters, and educating them re new ways to become involved in politics.

“But as Obama and Kaine beamed about the party's future, noticeably absent was the man who defined the recent past. Howard Dean was traveling as his successor was introduced. But the Vermont Governor was not left out entirely from the proceedings.
Said Obama: "For nearly four years Howard has served our party and our nation as a visionary and effective leader. He launched a 50 state strategy that made Democrats competitive in places they hadn't been for years... Howard deserve enormous credit for helping usher in a new era in Washington." ”Source: HUFFPOST

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:: Obama's first nominee to begin confirmation hearings, Tom Daschle, got through the hearing easily today.  

Daschle appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today, and still has one more hearing to go, with the Finance Committee. He promised members of HELPC that his leadership would be collaborative/inclusive of both Republicans and Democrats.

“The former Senate majority leader and one-time Republican target floated through his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday with friendly questioning in the first public test of any of President-elect Barack Obama’s Cabinet selections.
Both Democratic and Republican members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee treated Obama’s pick for health and human services secretary with the deference and collegiality they often show to one of their own.”Source: POLITICO

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Political News Summary - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

:: The Obama Inaugural poster released.

 

Source: HUFFPOST
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:: The White House snubs Obama re Blair House?

Last night we learned the identity of the guest scheduled to stay at Blair House that caused the White House to decline Obama's request to move in earlier than planned so that his daughters could start school. It turned out to be the former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, scheduled for a one-night stay in January.

Now, however, according to Think Progress, if what a Bloomberg reporter said last night on Countdown is true, Obama was actually snubbed. And here I didn't think that George W. Bush could do anything else to further embarrass this country. From Think Progress:

“Last night on MSNBC's "Countdown," Bloomberg journalist Margaret Carlson revealed that when the White House turned down Obama's request in early December, it had not yet even invited Howard to stay at the Blair House:
I reported...on December 11 and 12 that there were no foreign dignitaries booked into Blair House during that period of time. ... I have the feeling they asked him [Howard] to come and stay so that there might be some plausible reason for not letting the Obamas stay there.”

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:: IPD Daily Political Cartoon Find

Cartoon by Gary Varvel for indystar.com
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:: Additional confirmation hearings announced for next week. See schedule below. For info on cabinet nominees, click here.

Hearings held on Tuesday, January 13:

NOMINEE	COMMITTEE TO HEAR
Hillary Clinton	Foreign Relations
Peter Orszag	Budget Committee
Arne Duncan	HELP panel
Steven Chu	Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Lisa Jackson	Environment and Public Works Committee

Hearings on Wednesday, January 14:

NOMINEE	COMMITTEE TO HEAR
Tom Vilsack	Agriculture Committee
Eric Shinseki	Veterans Affairs Committee
Peter Orszag	Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Hearings on Thursday, January 15:

NOMINEE	COMMITTEE TO HEAR
Eric Holder Jr.	Judiciary Committee
Ken Salazar	Energy & Natural Resources panel
Susan Rice	Foreign Relations
Timothy Geithner	Finance Committee
Janet Napolitano	Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee

Source: Tables Copyright © IPD 2009
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Political News Summary, Tuesday, January 6, 2009

:: IPD Daily Political Cartoon FInd.

Cartoon by Bob Lang.
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:: CNN Chief Medical Correspondant, and neurosurgeon, Sanjay Gupta, is believed to be Obama's choice for Surgeon General.

In 2009: Signs of Things to Come

Please note that the Daily Political News Summary will resume publication on January 5.

On December 31, I woke up, grabbed my first cup of coffee, and began my daily reading.

When I landed on Huffpo, the top two headlines were,

"Burris builds monument to himself in Chicago cemetary" [politico link],

                                           and

"Gonzales writing a book: "I consider myself a casualty, one of the many casualties of the war on terror." [wsj link].

Is this a sign of things to come in 2009?     Hilarious, and only in the political world.

Have an extremely healthy, happy, and productive 2009!