Clark Burris was a nice enough guy as a state politician in Illinois. He served as the state comptroller and then as the Attorney General. But when he tried to elevate himself further, trying to get nominated and elected as Illinois Governor, he struck out badly. By all reports, Burris as never in the Democratic power group in Illinois. He was never accused of any wrongdoing. Like I said--a nice enough guy.

Then Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Presidency, leaving his seat in the U.S. Senate open for appointment of a replacement by the Illinois Governor, Rod Blagoevich. Blagoevich turned out to be a crook and tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder. Burris, or "his people", approached the Governor to express an interest in the appointment. There is some evidence that Burris promised to "raise some money" for Blagoevich. Appaently that never happened. But the Governor did appoint Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

Burris went thru a period where his seating was blocked, then finally, in mid-January, 2009 he was officially seated in the Senate. Ever since, he's been shunned by the rest of the Senate although he finally was given committee assignments on the Military Affairs and National Security committees.

But now, Burris is announcing that he will not run for election in the 2010 elections. Not "re-election" but "election", as he was never elected in the first place. His service as a U.S. Senator will amount to about 23 months, less than one-third of a full term.

Now some one tell me that I'm incorrect on the following...as a former U.S. Senator, even though appointed and not elected, and having served for less than two years, Burris will get a pension from the U.S. Senate and medical benefits, plus whatever other perks go to ex-U.S. Senators.

Someone tell me that I'm wrong on this. Please tell me I'm wrong!

You're wrong.

Go to the Charlie Reese post earlier today and read what I posted about congressional retirement.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ad.php?t=23027

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Clark Burris was a nice enough guy as a state politician in Illinois. He served as the state comptroller and then as the Attorney General. But when he tried to elevate himself further, trying to get nominated and elected as Illinois Governor, he struck out badly. By all reports, Burris as never in the Democratic power group in Illinois. He was never accused of any wrongdoing. Like I said--a nice enough guy.

Then Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Presidency, leaving his seat in the U.S. Senate open for appointment of a replacement by the Illinois Governor, Rod Blagoevich. Blagoevich turned out to be a crook and tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder. Burris, or "his people", approached the Governor to express an interest in the appointment. There is some evidence that Burris promised to "raise some money" for Blagoevich. Appaently that never happened. But the Governor did appoint Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.





Burris went thru a period where his seating was blocked, then finally, in mid-January, 2009 he was officially seated in the Senate. Ever since, he's been shunned by the rest of the Senate although he finally was given committee assignments on the Military Affairs and National Security committees.

But now, Burris is announcing that he will not run for election in the 2010 elections. Not "re-election" but "election", as he was never elected in the first place. His service as a U.S. Senator will amount to about 23 months, less than one-third of a full term.

Now some one tell me that I'm incorrect on the following...as a former U.S. Senator, even though appointed and not elected, and having served for less than two years, Burris will get full lifetime retirement pay and medical benefits, plus whatever other perks go to ex-U.S. Senators.

Someone tell me that I'm wrong on this. Please tell me I'm wrong!

I think but not sure the minimum service is something like 5 or 7 years !

AT LEAST I hope so

I couldn't be happier that I was wrong on this one.

Burris is a nice enough guy, but certainly undeserving of even one taxpayer dollar for any payment or benefit after his two years of service is complete.

Originally Posted by Bucco

I think but not sure the minimum service is something like 5 or 7 years !

AT LEAST I hope so

You are correct - 5 years minimum to vest.

A while ago, when the question of filling Mr. Obama's Senate seat was first floating around in the media, a close friend of mine, born and bred in Illinois, but disillusioned enough to find himself now in Southern California, suggested that maybe, just maybe, the folks in both Chicago and Springfield had been drinking some bad "Kool Aid."

I agreed with him then. I agree with him now. I feel sorry for Illinoisans: they've missed out on being properly represented in the Senate. For that matter, so have Minnesotans, until recently.

SWR

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

I couldn't be happier that I was wrong on this one.

Burris is a nice enough guy, but certainly undeserving of even one taxpayer dollar for any payment or benefit after his two years of service is complete.

I agree. Roland Burris served the state well as Comptroller and Attorney General. Got a off track lately though. I wish him a nice retirement, just not on a senator's pension...

What happened to Jesse Jackson Jr. ? I have lost track of him, wasn't he also on the list of people who may come up with some money for the Ex Gov. ?

Yes. I am not sure but I believe they only need be in office a VERY!!!!!!!!!!! short time to receive the golden parachute.

Don
Hadley

Originally Posted by donaldlmiller

Yes. I am not sure but I believe they only need be in office a VERY!!!!!!!!!!! short time to receive the golden parachute.

Don
Hadley

Yep, they make up their own rules, right? What a racket!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Campbell soup

What happened to Jesse Jackson Jr. ? I have lost track of him, wasn't he also on the list of people who may come up with some money for the Ex Gov. ?

Unless I missed something, while Jesse Jackson, Jr. met with the Governor to present his credentials and express an interest in being appointed to Obama's seat in the Senate, I don't believe that he was ever asked for any money, nor did he offer any.

"Junior" has served quite well for 14 years as the Congressman for a part of Chicago's south side and some southern suburbs. He's a pretty sharp young man--far smarter than his Dad, IMHO--and almost got tarred by getting a bit to close to that scumbag Blagoevich.

Yes, JJJ has been out of the news lately. As you stated, nothing ever came from the early investigation. I wouldn't be surprised if he stll has a pretty bright future.