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PI Original
by Josh Kalven
11:09am
Fri Jan 2, 2009

The Rush Effect (UPDATED)

Race

The New York Times listens in on WVON:

Throughout Wednesday the telephone lines were burning in the studios
of WVON, a black talk radio station in Chicago, where scores of callers
voiced their outrage at what they described as the racist efforts to
block Mr. ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:52am
Thu Jan 1, 2009
5 comments

Not So Symbolic After All? (UPDATED)

Senate vacancy

On Tuesday, I pointed out that Jesse White's refusal to sign the certificate appointing Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate didn't appear to be enough to actually stop the appointment in its tracks.  That assumption still stands: Gov. Blagojevich appears to be able to send the ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
7:08pm
Wed Dec 31, 2008

Burris Petitions IL Supreme Court To Force White's Hand

Roland Burris

As I wrote last night, I'm not convinced that Secretary of State Jesse White's refusal to certify the appointment of Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate has the effect of blocking it.  But apparently Burris and his legal team aren't leaving anything to chance.  The Tribune ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
2:38pm
Wed Dec 31, 2008

Special Election Back On The Table?

Senate vacancy

Crain's Greg Hinz has eagle eyes:

A bill to hold a special election to fill President-elect Barack
Obama’s Senate seat may be getting another life in Springfield.

The measure, which had been shelved by House Speaker Michael Madigan,
on Wednesday was ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:38pm
Wed Dec 31, 2008
3 comments

Spilling Ink: The Burris Appointment

Rod Blagojevich

Today some of Illinois’ top political columnists gave Gov. Rod Blagojevich tongue -in -cheek props for his brazen decision
to appoint Roland Burris to our vacant U.S. Senate seat. Editorial
boards across the state took a more serious tone, though, renewing
their calls for ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
12:02pm
Wed Dec 31, 2008
2 comments

Rush To Judgment

Senate vacancy

I know I'm a bit late to chime in on this one, but Rep. Bobby Rush's display over the past 24 hours has really been disgraceful.  Watch his comments on CNN's Larry King Live last night (via TPM):

Rush's racial plea is certainly impassioned.  But it'...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:41am
Wed Dec 31, 2008

Durbin: Burris Appointment "Will Lead Nowhere"

Roland Burris

Yesterday, Sen. Dick Durbin recorded a statement in response to Gov. Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to Illinois vacant U.S. Senate seat.  He describes it as an "act of political defiance" and asserts that the selection "is going nowhere."  ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
10:47pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008
4 comments

Is Jesse White's Stand Just Symbolic? (UPDATED)

Roland Burris

There's been a lot of talk today about Secretary of State Jesse White's announcement that he will refuse to certify Roland Burris' appointment to the U.S. Senate. For instance, during an MSNBC appearance this afternoon, Burris was asked about the matter.  He responded: "...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
5:44pm
Tue Dec 30, 2008

Obama Sides With Senate Democrats In Opposition To Burris Appointment

Rod Blagojevich

The following statement was just released by President-Elect Barack Obama:

Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate
Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an
appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling ...