IL Governor Pat Quinn demands Burris resignation

[grantcart]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/burris.governor/index.html


CNN) -- Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn called Friday for Sen. Roland Burris to resign.


Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois is facing pressure to step down, even from fellow Democrats.

"At this time we have a senator who has a cloud over his head," Quinn said at a news conference. "It's time (for Burris) to put the interest of the people of the land of Lincoln ahead of his own and step aside and resign from office.

"I think very highly of his career. He's done so many good things," Quinn said. "But at this time... to step away and resign (would be) a heroic act."

It was a "gigantic mistake" for Burris to accept a Senate appointment from disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Quinn said. Quinn replaced Blagojevich when he was removed from office last month.

The Senate Ethics Committee has launched an investigation of Burris in the wake of disclosures that he spoke with Blagojevich's brother about

[Thrill]

1. Word is Burris is in hiding. Canceled his IL listening tour

[yellowwood]

2. I Agree with Gov. Quinn

Roland Burris may be the most wonderful, most innocent man in the world, but his continuation as Illinois Senator is an impediment to the state and the party.
His association with Blagojevich has ruined his reputation forever. If he manages to hold on to the seat until the next election, he will be voted out then, and he will give the Republicans an edge in that election. The rest of his term will always be under scrutiny. "Caesar's family must be above repute."
Sen. Burris. Do the right thing. Resign.

[rvablue]

10. While I agree that Burris should resign, he WOULD NOT lose to a Republican in 2010

because he would never win the Democratic primary in 2010.

Nobody would campaign for him. Nobody would give him money. And there would be a list of people ready to sign up to run against him who would not have the stench of Blago hanging over them.

So, he wouldn't lose to a Republican, because he would have already lost to a Democrat who the state of Illinois would then send to the Senate.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. If Burris resigns, will Quinn be forced to call an election?

Or will Quinn be allowed to make the appointment?

When I lived in Illinois 20 years ago, the Republicans were pretty powerful in the General Assembly, and held the Governor's office as well. Are they still strong enough to force an election?

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. He could make an appoint immediately after Burris resigns

[firedupdem]

5. Burris needs to go. He's a disaster. Let Quinn put somebody

without a tainted connection to Blago in the spot and move on.

[marylanddem]

6. Burris tried to raise pay-to-play money & didn't disclose that.

He needs to go.

[mucifer]

7. Statewide the repubs are canvassing and trying to get the law changed BEFORE burris resigns

or is impeached so that there can be a special election. This does NOT look good. There is very heavy coverage of burris here in Chicago.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Quinn needs to let this go

Burris was appointed and seated. I didn't like it, but the fact of the matter is that this was settled months ago. It's time to move on.

[mucifer]

9. It's nonstop in the IL press. Polls are showing people want burris out. It's a real mess.

[davsand]

14. Actually, I suspect Quinn reflects attitudes held by a LOT of Illinois voters right now.

I'll admit this poll is probably heavily populated by conservative folks (downstate tends to lean more GOP than does Cook County/Chicago) but it pretty clearly shows a bad PR problem for Burris right now:

http://www.news-gazette.com/polls/pastpolls.cfm?id=3304

The question was "Should Sen Roland Burris resign from his Senate seat?"

684 votes were cast online.

83% Yes
9% No
8% Undecided

--------
I honestly think that Quinn's comments regarding Burris are favorably viewed by most of Illinois' voters.



Laura

[Cha]

15. You're forgetting that Burris lied

about trying to get money for blago..so we're not moving on until Burris resigns.

Who knows why Burris decided to spill the beans now?

[Occam Bandage]

16. Quinn is dead on public opinion. He's doing the right thing.

Burris needs to step down.

[LiberalFighter]

11. I wonder.... who supported Burris for his appointment and who now opposes Burris?

[tekisui]

12. He'll be gone by the end of next week. Quinn is the crack in the dam.

[TeamJordan23]

13. He is going to be a drag on Obama/Dems if he does not resign.

Things will just get magnified during the Blago trial.

[Number23]

17. Burris is on borrowed time.

It's kind of a shame too because by all accounts, he seemed to be a fairly decent man until he got tangled up with Blago.

I suspect he'll be out as Senator in a matter of weeks...

[mucifer]

18. Gov Quinn is asking for a special election for IL senator to replace burris.

[Top Cat]

19. The bastard needs to go but I hope we can get another Dem in the seat with the special election