This being the new Obama Era, it’s no longer so cool to engage in racial politics or bald power struggles—we’re all just trying to find the right way to work together for justice and the common good. Especially when it comes to questions about the state’s open U.S. Senate seat and far-too-occupied governorship.
Whether Rod Blagojevich’s crude attempts at dealmaking crossed the line into an impeachable offense or wire fraud will presumably be determined in the coming months, but available evidence suggests that he put a lot of thought, if you will, into who would take Barack Obama’s place in the Senate. It’s no coincidence that, once the feds helped him narrow his choices, he offered the gig to Danny Davis and then Roland Burris—two veteran black politicians who, despite the occasional expression of self-regard or deference to leaders of religious cults, have stayed clear of political sleaze.
Just a few weeks ago Blagojevich apparently thought he had a shot at being picked for Obama’s cabinet, even though he’s been under federal investigation for several years; it’s not hard to see that he still believes he can make a political comeback, and that he’s going to launch it in the black community. Black people must love him—after all, he long ago learned to go before James Meeks’s congregation and holler, “Let me ask you one question: Are you with me? Or am I by myself?”
I think he’s mostly by himself at this point—but that doesn’t mean some black politicians, ministers, and community activists won’t play along with him for a little while to get something they want. With the whole nation watching, including the white Democratic leadership in the Senate, they just don't want to come out and say so.
Such was the case this afternoon when about a dozen “grassroots” leaders held a press conference outside the Thompson Center to demand that Burris be seated in the Senate next week.
Surrounded by a thicket of over-eager reporters and camera crews—some bickering over who should get to stand closest to the activists—former mayoral candidate William “Dock” Walls promised there would be “repercussions in the next election” if Illinois secretary of state Jesse White doesn’t certify Burris’s appointment and Senator Dick Durbin doesn’t escort him into the Senate.
“This is an opportunity for them to do the right thing,” said Walls. “And if they don’t, there will be greater action.”
Walls said Burris had the support of “grassroots people in Chicago unlike anyone else who could have been appointed” and argued that his voice would be desperately needed in Congress during Obama’s first 100 days. He shrugged off a reminder that Obama has said he can’t support anyone picked by Blagojevich. “He can express his personal opinion, but this has nothing to do with him,” Walls said.
And of course Walls stressed that it has nothing to do with Burris’s race either. Plenty of people alienated by Blagojevich’s shallowness might agree that black representation in the Senate is an important issue. Not Walls. “This should not be viewed as a racial issue,” he insisted. “Roland Burris’s resume is excellent, and he should be seated on his merits. If he is not seated, no one can argue that this is a fair or judicious process.”
Showing 1-13 of 13
The race card was played by Obama but is only ugly when Blago does it? Anybody who didn't vote for Obama is racist? This is ridiculous
Can someone tell me where Walls' supposed organization Committee For A Better Chicago has an office, phone, or web site? Looks like he use to have an office at Dearborn Station, but I would bet that it's not there any more. Just like he lost his old cfabc.com Internet domain! FGFM Chief Cook and Bottle Washer Uptown Barber Shop, 60640
" ... former mayoral candidate William âDockâ Walls promised there would be ârepercussions in the next electionâ if ... Senator Dick Durbin doesnât escort him into the Senate." Durbin got 67% 2 months ago w/o trying
let's see now, Walls' hi H20 mark is 8.8% in the City of Chicago
I did stop by Dearborn Station and the security guard had never heard of the outfit. Al Sharpton has more of a presence here in Chicago than Walls has.
Burris once described himself as a "visionary" even though he could only charitably be referred to as a has-been. Even when he was, he wasn't much. Walls is so far down the food chain as to be unworthy of holding Burris's coat.
Walls is backing Burris because Burris has offered a job on his senate staff to Walls if Burris stays as senator. Walls' support of Burris is old fashion patronage. Go figure.
Harry Reid has all but put a FACE on it - âANYONE but a NEGROâ. And I'm pretty SURE that the OTHER U.S. Senator Richard âDICKâ Durbin WOULD concur. Ain't that right DICK???
This is not about Burris. Its about slowing down the Daley-Madigan bullshit. These people have had their way to long.Quinn-Madigan-Daley thought they were going to pull their usually Machine thing. If you want to blame something blame these maggots. Their petty arrogant crap created this crazy situation. They could have opted for a special Election. Do you think crazy like a fox Blogo,was going to lay down and die.
Exactly. If for nothing else, Rod should be thanked for fucking with the smooth flow of that bullshit. Granted, blowjo could have picked from a long list of much more disruptive to the machine personalities, but he obviously understands that, whoever he picked would have to be someone who this corrupt political machine would have the most political and public perception problems with condemning personally. Since the public has yet to pull their collective heads out of their asses and, thus, realize that there is no such creature as an honest career politician, and, thus, understand that the only honest persons available to be elected to represent their interests are those who are not now, nor have ever been, professional political creatures of deception, it's a bit too early to hope for said public to support non-politicians being elected, or appointed, to public offices. We, the public, have been conditioned for generations to believe the lie, that lie being that only professional politicians are worthy of winning elections and are capable of competently serving the public who elected them. Would any thinking citizen trust most to any of these bums to pick up dog shit, let alone wield the power to tax, make law, and define justice, fairness and honesty? Shit, justice, fairness and honesty are alien concepts to these professional manipulators. We've come a long way, from the times of our founding fathers, so long a way that we've almost completely forgotten the meaning of 'Truth, Justice and the American Way'. HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS OUT
HAVE NO DOUBT, VOTE INCUMBENTS IN
So what Obama bought CNN thru Oprah and promising their staff doctor the Surgeon General's ,seat. But I remember the days when an ass kissish,Ethiopeanish,waterhead looking,Somalian freak lurch type foreign looking muthafucka who didn't attend his mammas funeral would have got his orphan tommin ass kicked. Our city is going down and so is government. Fuck you sucker ass winos. Asta la Vista. Oh and that nigger begged so hard to go to Harvard I do not respect him and his wife is a ugly raggedy mouthed, stinky breathed looking nut job. Naahh he did not attend his mothers funeral!
Comments (13) RSS