"You Can't Keep A Good Man Down"

[Roosevelt Evans III]

Roland Burris has erected a grand mausoleum for himself, carved with the words "TRAIL BLAZER" and a long list of his achievements, with a space left for his more recent accomplishments. That gap could soon be filled in with "U.S. senator."

The tomb is a monument to the ambition — some say egotism — that led him to accept what many regard as a tainted prize: an appointment to the Senate from scandal-ridden Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"Roland wants an office. It's another thing to chisel on his Ramses II pyramid," said Judy Baar Topinka, a former Illinois state treasurer and Republican candidate for governor. She added: "His ego is huge."

The 71-year-old Burris accepted the appointment with no publicly expressed reservations, despite charges that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat. And Burris fought for the seat after Senate Democrats vowed not to allow him to take office.

On Wednesday, the Senate leadership backed down, and it appears likely that he will be seated.

I like Roland Burris. Rod Blagojevaich picked the right man to fight for Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, a shrewd but ethical politician with a fighting spirit. Mr. Burris may have a big ego but he also has a long and commendable public service record. In my opinion, the State Of Illinois will be well represented by the likes of Roland Burris as US Senator. Blagojevich may be impeached but he is still the Governor and the rule of law is more important than the character of the Governor. Roland Burris is a good man and you can't keep a good man down!

[Roosevelt Evans III]

No I am not a relative of Roland Burris but I do admire people who never give up. Burris has lost four or five major election bids. A person "accused" of being a chold molester or selling a Senate seat is still innocent until proven guilty! I would accept a legitimate award from anyone that has not been proven guilty of a crime at the time the award was given. (And by the way my profile link is now working! Thanks!)

[Chris Arps]

I think Mr. Burris' appointment shows how is enormous ego allowed him to become a willing dupe for blogavich. No one else would have touched this appointment with a 10 ft pole! No one questions the legalities or the notion that "quid pro quo" occurs. but you'd agree that this particular instance goes a little beyond your normal quid pro quo.

Say you volunteered and was very involved in children's advocacy and a particular group you worked with had an executive director who was accused of being a child molester. Would you accept a legitimate award from this person? By the way, are you a relative of Burris, your ardent defense of him has me curious. :D

[Roosevelt Evans III]

Thanks for your comment Chris! Mr. Burris does have an ego but he is pragmatic and honest. This is a US Senate Seat by appointment and as long as Mr. Burris has a clean conscience damn what other people think! The essence of politics is quid pro quo, as I see it. You don't think Barack Obama has made "deals" or has a big ego? Blagojevich just got caught! Mr. Burris is far more qualified to be Senator than Caroline Kennedy!

[Chris Arps]

Roosevelt, you make a very valid point when it comes to the rule of law and the Burris appointment. And I have no doubt that Mr. Burris has been an honorable public servant in his long and distinguished career. I do question though why he would accept an appointment from an impeached governor with this kind of unethical swirl around them? Could the extravagant mausoleum he's built for himself give us an insight into his decision?