Blago Introduces Burris, Induces The Rage of The Mighty Quinn

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Dec 30, 2008 9:20PM

At a press conference today, Governor Rod Blagojevich introduced Roland Burris as his selection to replace President-Elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, asking, "Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man." Burris seemed just fine with the selection, saying, "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." Also appearing at the press conference was U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who gave Burris his full support. Check out video of the press conference below or listen to it.

For all their huffing and puffing, the Congressional Democrats have no precedent for being able to block Burris's nomination as long as he meets the official, Constitutional requirements to become a U.S. Senator. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has said he won't process the appointment:

As I have previously stated publicly, I cannot co-sign a document that certifies any appointment by Rod Blagojevich for the vacant United States Senate seat from Illinois. Although I have respect for former Attorney General Roland Burris, because of the current cloud of controversy surrounding the governor, I cannot accept the document.

Following that press conference, Lt. Governor Pat "The Mighty" Quinn stepped to the mic and gave as fiery an appearance as we've heard from him in this entire ordeal. Quinn again called on Blagojevich to resign and said the appointment should not stand and called it an "insult" to the people of Illinois.