Obama Serves Reid Humble Pie, Chicago Style

President-elect's reversal on Burris straight from rough-and-tumble Windy City roots

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 8, 2009 2:02 PM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama served Harry Reid up a Chicago-style, deep-dish slice of humble pie this week, telling the Senate majority leader to seat Roland “Tombstone” Burris, John Kass writes in the Chicago Tribune. Reid, for his part, “scarfed it down in front of reporters, without a fork, all but licking his fingers, that pie was so sweet and tasty. Mmm-mmm.”

Reid went out of his way to praise Tombstone, an amiable party hack who’s suddenly qualified to be a senator, “perhaps because he’s from Illinois and hasn’t been indicted.” And because Obama wants Burris out of the news. People might, given more such publicity, start wondering how Obama could come from Chicago’s rough-and-tumble politics, yet “smell like the neck of a baby after a bath,” Kass writes. “I’m still wondering.”

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

US Senate appointee Roland Burris listens to a question during a news conference after arriving at Midway airport Wednesday in Chicago. (AP Photo)

President-elect Barack Obama finishes his speech about the economy today in Fairfax, Va. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

In political terms, Reid rolled up his sleeves, put on his favorite "Kiss the Chef" apron, got his fingers dusty with flour and baked himself a big humble pie. - John Kass

They agreed that race had nothing to do with it, even though they are Democrats and Blagojevich played the race card as adroitly as Al Sharpton eating soul food with Caroline Kennedy in Harlem. - John Kass

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

It's Official: Burris Won't Run

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris made it official this afternoon: He won't run for a full term next year, the Chicago Tribune reports. “I love serving the people of Illinois,” the current holder of President Obama's old Senate seat said. But “political races have become far too expensive in this country. And in making this decision, I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds or spending my time raising issues for my state.” More»

DC Dems Look for Ill. to Act on Burris

'Wait-and-see attitude' likely as concerns grow

(NEWSER) - As further concerns emerge about Illinois Sen. Roland Burris’ ties to Rod Blagojevich, DC Democrats hoping to escape the former governor’s shadow are hoping Illinois will address the problem for them, Politico reports. Burris has acknowledged Blago contact that he hadn’t mentioned earlier, and while the senator says he’s done nothing wrong, an Illinois probe could force him to resign or prevent a “serious” 2010 run, Manu Raju writes. More»

Blago Asked Burris for $10K in Cash

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich's camp asked Roland Burris for money before nominating him to take Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Burris revealed the request, for up to $10,000 in campaign contributions, in an affidavit dated Feb. 5—3 weeks after he was sworn in. Burris didn't mention the request during Blagojevich's impeachment hearing because he "was not given the opportunity," he said. More»

Senate Lawyers OK Burris

Obama replacement will be sworn in this week, 'barring objection' from GOP

(NEWSER) - Senate Democrats today accepted Roland Burris as the senator-designate from Illinois, and he will likely be seated later this week, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Barring objections from Senate Republicans,” said a statement from Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin, “we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in.” Senate lawyers looked over the case and decided that Burris’ disputed credentials were satisfactory. More»

Reid Backs Off, Leaves Burris to Court

Has 'no problem with him personally'

(NEWSER) - A far cry from the political shunning of just days ago, Majority Leader Harry Reid ushered would-be senator Roland Burris into his office this afternoon, and emerged saying that an Illinois court decision could go a long way toward seating the Blagojevich appointee. “We don't have a problem with him as an individual,” said Reid. But a court decision on Burris' lack of signature from his secretary of state is vital, as “everyone has to present certification by the secretary of state.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Obama Serves Reid Humble Pie, Chicago Style