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Lord's Senate Appointee Turned Away
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 6, 2009
Modified Jan 6, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 6, 2009
Modified Jan 6, 2009
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Roland Burris, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's Senate appointee, may have implied he's the Lord's Senate Appointee but that doesn't mean you can enter the Senate's chambers! Burris held a press conference, explaining that the Senate's Secretary turned him away for not having the proper credentials. The Senate secretary's argument was that Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White hadn't approved Burris's appointment and, according to CNN, "Rule 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate states that the secretary of state must sign the certificate of election along with the governor." Burris's lawyer said, "We were not allowed to be placed in the record books. We were not allowed to proceed to the floor for purposes of taking oath, all of which we think was improperly done and it is against the law of this land." This drama will undoubtedly continue, so in the meantime, watch how Stephen Colbert and Alan Colmes examine the taint around Burris.
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illinois
Rod Blagojevich
Roland Burris
senate seat
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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