Burris practiced in political arts (very well connected)

Chicago Tribune ^ | 1-8-09 | Ray Gibson, John Chase

[STARWISE]

Amid the controversy over whether he should become Illinois' next U.S. senator, Roland Burris has been described by friend and foe alike as an earnest public servant with a long history in state politics.

A closer examination reveals a prototypical Illinois politician, who put a relative on the public payroll, steered legal business to political supporters and sought to trade on his ties when he became a lobbyist.

While not in the core circle of power brokers and fundraisers who have dominated the state's pay-to-play culture, Burris has always hovered in the outer ring. His lobbying clients have gotten tastes of state business and favorable rulings from Illinois regulatory panels.

*snip*

Burris has hosted a fundraiser for Blagojevich and since 2002 he and firms he's been affiliated with have given more than $20,000 to Blagojevich's campaign fund, according to state records.

*snip*

While attorney general, Burris also awarded more than $436,000 in no-bid state legal work to a law firm with personal and financial ties to him.

[STARWISE]

The whole stinking place ... a cesspool. Oh .. but Obama smells like gardenias ... /s

[DieHard the Hunter]

As some famous well-connected NZ politician once said “Until you have something on me, or I have something on you, we probably haven’t got much to discuss.”

[HighlyOpinionated]

Burris is a likable guy according to those who’ve talked to him. I admire his chutzpah . . . and the way he makes Barry Zero “uhm” make sound bytes for YouTube is priceless. (Until YouTube removes them out of deference to the PE, just like they removed the McCain and Palin videos . . . hmmmm, no they didn’t. Could YouTube have a liberal political agenda? Ya think?)