Roland Burris still isn't going anywhere

As the results of our poll last week demonstrated, most folks don't think Mr. Burris is going anywhere anytime soon.  At least not if it involves him making a decision to do so.

Despite the fact that Illinois' new Governor is calling for him to step down, or at least subject himself to a special election...despite the fact that the state AG has cleared the legal path for such a special election...and despite the fact that he was a no-show (not invited?) for a meeting with Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus, this guy is digging in, taking the Alfred E. Newman approach, ("what, me worry?").

Playing the race card

Here we have more evidence of just how shameless the guy is.

Sen. Roland Burris went to his base Sunday with an appearance at a black church.

He arrived at New Covenant Baptist Church in a flying wedge of supporters and avoided reporters by leaving through a side door.

Ministers gathered at the church at 740 E. 77th St. chided journalists at a news conference in the lobby. They said reports about Burris' son winning a plum state job are an attack on his family.

The Illinois Democrat has been under fire for his contacts with the Blagojevich administration before his appointment to the Senate.

The ministers also said Burris, the only black U.S. senator, is being held to a different standard than the 99 white senators.

"He hasn't done anything that's indictable," said Rep. Bobby Rush, who added that many politicians calling for Burris to resign have "stalking horses" ready for test-runs for his seat. ...

From the pulpit, Burris touted to his overwhelmingly African-American audience the recent Senate approval of a voting representative for the District of Columbia, with its 600,000 residents, "the majority of them African-American ... without a full voice in their government." And he said he was proud of a bill he co-sponsored to honor the slaves who built the U.S. Capitol.

Thanking the church for its support, he said: "I will never, ever let you down. I will serve you with honesty and integrity. That's all I know, and that's what God gave me."

See folks.  That's how you play what's known as "the race card".  Which, again, tells me he's not going anywhere.

And he's set up his own campaign website...  Credit cards accepted.  (come on, you know you want to contribute!) 

Meanwhile, a line is forming to replace Burris in 2010 (or in a special election, should it happen...but dont' bet on it).

So who IS offering support for Burris?  None other than NY's Rep. Charlie Rangell.

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Manhattan) scoffed at fellow lawmakers who have called for Burris to resign for failing to disclose under oath that impeached ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked him to raise money for him. Burris testified to state lawmakers that he and Blagojevich never discussed money or a quid pro quo. Blagojevich appointed Burris to fill the Senate seat left vacant when Barack Obama was elected President.

”Personally I think members of Congress should not be asked to leave, whether in the House or the Senate. If he violated a Constitutional issue, then move for impeachment,” Rangel told The Mouth, appearing to call the bluff of lawmakers who say Burris should resign.

Of course, Rangell can sympathize when it comes to members of Congress with, shall we say, "ethical difficulties" and "lapses".  (with friends like this...)

The nice thing about all of this, (including Burris' race card antics), is that it points to a very messy and divisive Democrat primary in 2010.  And it opens that door for a Republican to pick up that seat. 

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