Rep. Rush does quick turnaround on seat
RACE | Backs Burris selection after calling for gov to give up pick
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) on Dec. 9 said Gov. Blagojevich's alleged conduct was so "heinous" that the governor should not fill President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.
But that all changed Tuesday with Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris -- a move designed to win over the African-American community.
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
"My prayers have been answered, because I prayed fervidly that the governor would . . . appoint an African American," said Rush, whose son is a former Blagojevich administration employee. "We need to have not just one African American in the U.S. Senate. We need to have many African Americans in the U.S. Senate."
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said Burris' race should have nothing to do with lawmakers' opposition to Burris taking Obama's seat. He said Burris, whom he respects, made "a mistake" by accepting Blagojevich's offer.
"I think the will of the people, all people, whatever their background, is that this governor needs to go," Quinn said.