Roland Burris=Dwight Shrute of The Office
Ezra asks why Roland Burris is willing to accept Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich's nomination to serve out the remainder of Barack Obama's term in the US Senate.
Good question.
My guess is that Burris is willing because he's a 71-year-old man who has already tried and failed to run for the Senate on his own.
At this point in his career, he doesn't have to worry about his future in the Democratic Party.
Burris can cross the incoming president and the Senate Majority Leader and still end up with a much better political career than he would have had if he'd declined the nomination. It's a pretty selfish way to look at things, but it's also pretty rational.
He reminds me of Dwight Shrute from The Office--the guy who's so desperate to advance he relishes all the thankless tasks that make his coworkers despise him.
Posted by: Larry Kirby | January 01, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I am with you. I think he should be embarassed to accept it. Of course, this guy also has built a monument to himself, so who knows. Definitely selfish.
Posted by: Jim | January 01, 2009 at 08:22 PM
As Attorney General, Roland Burris tried hard to have two men executed he knew to be innocent. As I see it, allowing himself to be used by a corrupt Governor is just another chance for Burris to sell his soul for higher office.
Posted by: Burr Deming | January 02, 2009 at 09:49 PM