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Burris Camp Returns to Race Card

Ill. senator hopes to box in white Dems for 2010 campaign

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Mar 3, 2009 10:26 AM CST

(Newser) – Roland Burris doesn’t have much support in Washington or money in his war chest for a reelection bid, but he retains one reliable weapon, Politico reports: the race card. As controversy over his appointment has reemerged, Burris hasn’t hesitated to chalk it up to racial politics. A Burris consultant says “race has something to do with” the Illinois senator’s chilly reception in DC.

Democrats are “crazy” to “think they can win without black votes,” warns the consultant. A group of black Chicago lawyers said Burris has done nothing wrong, and ally Rep. Bobby Rush points out that Burris “hasn’t done anything that’s indictable,” saying his involvement in the Rod Blagojevich scandal pales in comparison to missteps by senators like Ted Kennedy and Larry Craig.

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Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., center, greets Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., prior to President Barack Obama's address to a joint session of Congress, Feb. 24, 2009. (AP Photo)

Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., returns to his office after a meeting with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. (AP Photo)

Sen. Dick Durbin talks to reporters on Capitol Hill after his Feb. 24 meeting with fellow Illinois Democrat Roland Burris. (AP Photo)

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The public officials that are doing this all are interested in pursuing these offices or have candidates they are pushing. - Leslie Hairston, Chicago alderwoman, on Burris foes

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Burris Camp Returns to Race Card