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Illinois Secy of State Suggests Senate Making Him 'Fall Guy' and His Signature is Not Required for Burris to Be Seated

January 07, 2009 1:42 PM

On Chicago's WGN-AM radio today, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White -- who did not sign the certification for Roland Burris to be named to the U.S. Senate -- said his signature was "not required" for the U.S. Senate to seat Burris, and he agreed with the suggestion that the U.S. Senate was making him a "fall guy."

"They could have seated him without my signature," White said. "My signature's mainly ceremonial rather than being a point of law."

White said the U.S. Senate "played a little bit of a game" with Burris on Tuesday. "They have the authority to put the gentleman in place."

White said he was standing by his announcement made after Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest that he wouldn't be party to Blagojevich naming anyone to replace President-elect Obama in the U.S. Senate, unlike Burris and Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois, who had originally made similar comments but then changed their minds once Burris was named.

"My word is important to me, sir," White said.

After host John Williams suggested the U.S. Senate was making White the "fall guy," White said, "you're absolutely correct. It's ugly. Ugly."

White did offer a prediction: "Roland Burris is going to be seated," he said.

List to the interview HERE.

-- jpt

January 7, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (15)

User Comments

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Who should be going to jail?

Reid, Durbin, the U.S. Attorney
in Chicago and the entire
lawless Illinois state
legislature.

Posted by: anon | Jan 8, 2009 1:37:13 AM

The Illinois Secretary of State
is a clerk, a pencil pusher -
merely a recordkeeper. He has
no power to override the governor's
actions.

The state supreme court will
order him to sign Blago's
appointment of Burris.

Posted by: anon | Jan 8, 2009 1:34:06 AM

Absolutely! Majority leader Reid and senator Durbin need to back off the pandering binge... if the President-Elect said Burris should be seated now what were you doing Reid? Were you involved in Blagos pay to play thing since you talked to him weeks ago about the appointment...resign immeadiately!

Posted by: JG | Jan 7, 2009 11:57:33 PM

Roxie: Jesse White should have done the right thing and signed the certificate. He knows that Burris wasn't affiliated with the Gov. And even if the Gov. tried to sell Obama's seat that should have no reflection on Burris. Besides that, there never was a tainted seat. Seats are not tainted. Reid and Durbin need to step down and get lost.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Jan 7, 2009 10:37:33 PM

How many democratic politicians are not crooked? Didn't Dean, Pelosi and Reid talk to the superdelegates promising them favors if they voted Obama not Hillary. I can take bets on that. Pelosi didn't want Hillary in the White House. And what happened to Dean. When Obama was campaigning his mouth was going 20-40. Burris has a solid reputation and he is not affiliated with the Gov's problems. He did not work for the Gov. and should have been seated immediately. I am so glad that Feinstein made the statement she did. It started the ball rolling.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Jan 7, 2009 10:34:25 PM

If the Sec of State had to sugn off on the Governor's appointments, then why not make the Sec of State the Governor and save the money. Nonsensical, depends to much on the media doing the lying, which they can no longer accomplish.

Posted by: bill-tb | Jan 7, 2009 7:31:00 PM

Jesse White has the same ability to skirt responsibility that PEBO has. Yellow must run in the veins of Illinois politicians these days. Take a stand man. If you didn't sign it, tell them not to seat him, if you think he should be sat, then sign the certification. Don't pass the buck like our president elect likes to do...."Uh, buhhh, uhhh, it's a Senate matter, I don't have a stand, I'm only the President Elect."

Posted by: Aaron | Jan 7, 2009 4:31:28 PM

"PEBO is even equivocating or fLip flopping over this one! :)"

"Change". Too bad these guys aren't LITERALLY geese, sheep, pigs, chickens. Then we could eat 'em.

Posted by: Belle Starr | Jan 7, 2009 3:16:33 PM

Illinois did with out a senator for almost 2 years while Obama filled the JOB. So do away with the job. Cut taxes.

Posted by: stop whinning | Jan 7, 2009 2:56:15 PM

"And Blago is no worse than PEBO who bought his election and is now attempting to perfume the cesspool stench of his Chicago roots!"

Amen. And at least Blago -- despite his Serbian DNA! -- appoints BLACK people, instead of lily-white corporate re-treads from the crooked Clinton administration.

Posted by: Belle Starr | Jan 7, 2009 2:55:49 PM

Reid and Durbin are blundering buffoons!

Seat Burris! PEBO is even equivocating or fip flopping over this one! :)

And Blago is no worse than PEBO who bought his election and is now attempting to perfume the cesspool stench of his Chicago roots!

Posted by: aware2u | Jan 7, 2009 2:38:59 PM

Jesse has backed himself into a corner. Even Obama is changing his tune. I hope Jesse's WORD keeps him warm at night.

It's time for the Senate to SEAT BURRIS!!

Posted by: Danni | Jan 7, 2009 2:15:46 PM

They've got to seat him. Blago is innocent until proven guilty.

Though his hair is a different story.

Posted by: Danny | Jan 7, 2009 1:51:38 PM

Jesse White is one of the few good guys in this quagmire known as Illinois politics. I really hope they don't try to damage him with this.

Posted by: Roxie | Jan 7, 2009 1:50:06 PM

It's so ... South American! Just like the police-state banana republic the US is headed for if the mobbed-up "Obama" organization is permitted to take office.

Posted by: Belle Starr | Jan 7, 2009 1:48:45 PM

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