Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Next Illinois Senator, Attorney General Roland Burris?

Attorney General Roland Burris will be appointed to the U.S. senate by governor Blagojevich of Illinois. The governor is currently in a scandal over allegations that he was selling Barack Obama's former senate seat to the highest bidder. Whether the senate appointment will stick is anyone's guess at this time.

It seems we have a friend in Roland Burris though. With minimal information out there, all accounts seem to be LGBT friendly.

  • He lobbied extensively to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the hate crimes law in the state.
  • He pushed to include same-sex couples in domestic violence legislation.
  • Burris has been reported to be a "trailblazer" by hiring openly LGBT people for his staff.
Much more will come out about Roland Burris and his positions on LGBT issues, as the media, political analysts, and bloggers will dissect his record. Whether he becomes senator of Illinois or not, it appears likely that we have an ally in this man.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The senate is already working on ways to block Burris from taking the seat -- as they said they would do with any Blagojevich appointment -- so it's probably not worth looking at his record on LGBT issues (or any other issues), since he's unlikely to actually assume the seat.

Anonymous said...

I agree that it is not worth it to look at his record because he won't be seated. I do, however, question Burris' judgement in even entertaining accepting a Blagojevich appointment. And what is up with Rep. Bobby Rush bringing in the race card? Give me a break. The results of the last presidential election show it is time to stop playing the race card Mr. Rush!
Pray for us Illinois citizens and realize, PLEASE, that all the sleeze is coming from Chicago. Downstate, whose citizens overwhelming did NOT support Blagojevichs reelection, is embarrassed by the politics of the windy city. I have worked in state government for 25 years and this is the worst administration in my history. Blagos cronies have no idea how to run government agencies and it will take years for us to recover.

Anonymous said...

It is a sad day for Roland Burris. I'm not sure what he was thinking on this one.

CrackerLilo said...

I feel awful for Roland Burris. Apparently he'd have been a pretty good choice, had the people of Illinois chosen him and not Blagojevich. This just makes me sadder.

Anonymous said...

Won't be seated? How so? As of this point Blago hasn't been convicted, hasn't been impeached and hasn't resigned.

Appointment of a successor is the exclusive privilege of a governor.

Darren Lenard Hutchinson said...

Why is it so sad that Burris accepted the offer? Blagojevich is still the governor; the state supreme court refused to declare him unfit; he has not been impeached; and there is absolutely no indication that he "purchased" the position. One reader said that the election taught us not to play "racial cards." I say the election should have taught us not to rush to judgment and listen to everything the media feeds us. This blogger has decided to judge Burris in terms of politics -- not the Palinizing drama that some journalists have already instigated. http://dissentingjustice.blogspot.com/2009/01/some-media-outlets-begin-palinizing.html

Post a Comment