Illinois Gov. Patrick Quinn has called on fellow Democrat Roland Burris to resign from the U.S. Senate for the good of state.
At a Friday news conference Quinn called Burris an honorable man but said there’s a shadow over his service in the Senate, CBS station WBBM-TV reported. Quinn said it’s in the best interest of the people of Illinois for Burris to step down.
Quinn also said a new senator should be chosen by special election, and wants a law passed that would require a special election to fill Senate vacancies.
Meanwhile, under that mounting pressure to resign, Sen. Burris was back out making public appearances Friday. But he managed to mostly duck the media and canceled a noon luncheon appearance.
Burris says he will not engage the media anymore because when he does, “facts drip out in selected sound bites,” WBBM-TV reported Thursday. He also announced that he is canceling all stops on his so-called “listening tour” of downstate towns to meet behind close doors with his advisers.
Burris was appointed by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was later impeached and removed from office. Burris initially said there was no discussion of him doing any favors in exchange for the appointment.
But since then, Burris has acknowledged he had many discussions with Blagojevich friends and allies about the appointment. Burris says he was asked to raise money for Blagojevich but couldn’t find anyone willing to contribute.
Burris’ political future is now in question, however, as Quinn is just the latest political figure to call for his resignation.
A powerful group of clergy who once backed him is meeting to decide whether to continue to support him. A group of black ministers is meeting Friday, but the place and time are unknown.
(Source: CBS Chicago)
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This country will turn republican in a few years. The democrats are going to be exposed these 2 years
A long time ago a famous man wrote,”I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”
Thomas Jefferson.
Wake up people big government is not the answer to our problems it is the problem, and we are all guilty if we let the government take over our lives. It is our responsibility to oversee those we elect. Where is the honor or code of ethics for our elected officials? It is self indulgence and greed for power and money that drives the wheels of the world. Let us not kid ourselves the ball is really in our court and not theirs.. If we want things to be better then we have to be willing to be a part of the process to keep us on the right path. It is hard work not welfare that keeps us going.