As a black man and a strong supporter of President Obama and an advocate of the need to have an African American succeed him in the Senate, I am shell shocked by the insane drive of black leaders to force Senator Burris to remain on the Senate.
There is a case to be made about an African American to be seated in the Senate, but not at the expense of decency. The way Senator Burris and his cheerleaders unleashed race to intimidate whites into accepting Senator Burris shows careless dishonesty and insane tactics.
My three points:
- President Obama did not win the Senatorial and Presidential elections by intimidating whites and unleashing racial politics in the worst ways. By going this route to get Burris seated inspite of a cloud of dishonesty, tainted by an impeached Governor, Black Ministers have ensured that Burris will be a loner in the Senate. He will not win a primary or general election against a Republican.
- Burris continued stay in the Senate could cause Illinois to lose some ranking seniority in the next election. He will be a continued distraction to President Obama, congressional delegates from Illinois and Democrats especially when Blagojevich's trial comes up later in the Spring. Blago's trial could further taint Burris and the Democrats.
- Kossacks and other progressive bloggers, should unmute the silent button and state where they stand on this issue. Silence is unacceptable. If we had spoken forcefully on this appointment when it was announced, we could have saved us this round of embarrasement. Burris is not credible as he is already a tainted Senator who will stain all he comes in contact with. No one will accuse you of racism after you've done the impossible by electing Obama to the highest political position in the country.
Now is the time to push back at these black ministers before we give too much ammunition to the Republicans to come back at us. Black Ministers with parochial interest will never see that Burris is a fatally flawed candidate to take Barack Obama's seat. Stand up now, not later!