Blagojevich snubs Senate, taps Burris for seat

In defiance of U.S. senators who said they would not seat his pick, Gov. Rod Blagojevich today selected former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.

Blagojevich praised Burris for his "unquestioned integrity" and "extensive experience," calling him a senior statesman.

"Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man," Blagojevich said.

Burris, who accepted the appointment, said he would next deal with the U.S. Senate's statement that it would not seat him.

"Faced with these challenges and challenged with these crises, it is incomprehensible that the people of the great state of Illinois will enter the 111th Congress short handed," Burris said. "We need leadership in Washington."

Burris said he spoke with Blagojevich Sunday night.

"I was asked if he would appoint me would I accept and the answer is yes," said Burris, who offered no comment on the governor's legal situation.

Blagojevich said he moved to appoint Burris after the General Assembly declined to approve legislation for a special election to find a new U.S. senator.

"To not fill the vacancy would be to deprive the people of Illinois of their appropriate voice" in the U.S. Senate, Blagojevich said.

Burris said he accepted the appointment because the nation is at a crossroads.

"Faced with these challenges and challenged with these crises, it is incomprehensible that the people of the great state of Illinois will enter the 111th Congress short handed. "We need leadership in Washington."

"I have faith in the record that I have forged over the last four decades. I accept this appointment," Burris said.

Tribune

Is Burris out of his mind? I wouldn't want to be involved in this scandal and I sure as hell wouldn't want anything to do with nutcase Blagojevich. If I wanted a seat in the senate, I'd run for the office like everyone else and be elected, or not, in an election. No more of this appointment bullshit. Hold a special election and let the people choose their representative for congress. Its the right thing to do. The fair thing.

Who's with me?

Amusing Ballots

It's been over two weeks since the election and there are some races still to be decided. The U.S. Senate race between Norm Coleman and Al Franken in Minnesota is in a dead heat. There are many ballots that are being challenged by both parties.

Let's have a look at some of them, shall we?

I vote to reject this one since Minnesota state law states that "If a ballot is marked by distinguishing characteristics in a manner making it evident that the voter intended to identify the ballot, the entire ballot is defective."

This ballot clearly indicates that the voter intended to vote for Al Franken. I'll give this one to Franken.

This one goes to Norm Coleman. I don't care what anyone says. Those marks are nowhere near Al Franken's bubble.

I'll give this one to Coleman. The write-in isn't too legible. Who is Birdman? Or is it Bachmen?

Isn't this one interesting? It seems the voter started to vote for Franken and then later decided that Coleman would be a better choice. Is it clear as to who the person wants to vote for? I think not. Reject.

This one here is being challenged because the thumb print could be used to identify the voter and therefor should be automatically rejected. I'd let this one slide. I mean really, a thumb print?

This one clearly shows that the voter has no clue who he/she wants to vote for. Reject.


This voter says NO to Coleman but marks his bubble anyway. I vote to reject this one. It is not clear as to who this person wanted to vote for. I wonder what the IQ of this person is?

Isn't this fun?

This ballot shows a clear vote for Franken, but a preference for Lizard People. Who are the Lizard people? I'd give this one to Franken, wouldn't you?

Hmm, don't people know how to read instructions? Do they not see the bubbles beside the candidate's name? I didn't know that you had to be a rocket scientist to figure out how to fill out a ballot. As dumb as this person is, this does show a clear preference for Franken, so I will give it to him.

Coleman or Franken? Franken or Coleman? I don't know. Do you? I suppose the preference is for Coleman. Though I still think that if people can't follow the rules, their vote should not be counted, but in a close race like this each candidate needs every vote they can get. I'll go out on a limb here and give this to Coleman.

Why is this one even being contested? Because of one dot? Please. This one goes to Franken.

I don't know why this one is being contested either. The preference is surely for Barkley after considering Franken. This one goes to Barkley.

What was wrong with this person? How hard is it to select ONE name? It does show a preference for Barkley, but Barkley won't win anyway. Give it to Barkley.

Hmm. This one isn't too hard to figure out, is it? This person clearly doesn't want his/her vote to be counted. Reject.

I have to say, this was a lot of fun.

You can do this yourself by going here.