Rats and sinking ships alert: Burris aide throws in the towel
posted at 5:05 pm on February 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Darrel Thompson has had enough, even if his boss hasn’t quite seen the writing on the wall yet. Huffington Post’s Steve Clemons published a statement from Roland Burris’ chief of staff — er, ex-chief of staff — he received this afternoon:
Three weeks ago I was temporarily detailed to serve as Chief of Staff to Senator Roland W. Burris. Though my tenure was relatively brief, I enjoyed and valued my time with Senator Burris, his entire staff and his other advisors.
As of today, my role as Interim Chief of Staff to Senator Burris will end. I will resume, in full, my duties as Senior Advisor to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
I wish Senator Burris and his family the best.
Sincerely,
Darrel Thompson
“Relatively brief”? Thompson didn’t even have time to get his security clearance for his new task. I’d doubt that the Capitol Hill PBX operators even had his new extension yet.
Who quits a job as the Number One aide for one Senator to go back to the gopher squad for another? Someone convinced that his Senator’s days are numbered. Either that, or Reid called back his loaned staffer to cut any remaining ties between his office and the scandal-plagued Burris. Either way, it’s a pretty clear sign that Burris will soon be an ex-Senator.
Blowback
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So really, it’s a lateral move. One corrupt politician to another.
lorien1973 on February 20, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Adios, muchacho.
Lincoln Cadillac on February 20, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Translation:
I didn’t ask to work for this turdball. I’m out of here.
Sincerely,
Darrel “No Fool” Thompson
Laura in Maryland on February 20, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Did U.S.S. Burris take enough lifeboats when it set sail for DC?
BuckeyeSam on February 20, 2009 at 5:08 PM
Translation: “Oh shi….I gotta get outta here.”
Bishop on February 20, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Damn, beat me to it! Burris to Reid, I’d say that’s a few steps backwards.
RMCS_USN on February 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
The Democrat Obahmba bus leaves a mean red streak. Score one more for the Obahmba bus.
portlandon on February 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
It’s too bad he will lose his job with Harry Reid after the 2010 elections.
WashJeff on February 20, 2009 at 5:10 PM
If Burris does quit…is he entitled to a full Senate retirement package? Two weeks ‘service’-full retirement perks? Sweet deal if you can get it.
Janna on February 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Ooo-ooo, that smell!
The smell of Blago is all around you …
/Lynyrd Skynyrd
laelaps on February 20, 2009 at 5:13 PM
C’Ya…
OmahaConservative on February 20, 2009 at 5:15 PM
More likely. He might be gone, but he doesn’t strike me like someone who will go fast, easily, and without a fight. He really wanted this job, and he knows who he is.
Name me a time when the Senate threw one of their own out. It happened once, a loooooooong time ago. Some left right before being kicked out.
The only thing he has going against him is that he hasn’t been in the ‘exclusive’ club long enough.
Entelechy on February 20, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Terry Moran, now that’s a step down.
Christien on February 20, 2009 at 5:17 PM
He probably will negoti8 for it and will get it, just for disappearing with some honor (for them).
Entelechy on February 20, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Forgot – rats are indignant.
Entelechy on February 20, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Geez! Not even enough time to use the tried and true- more time with my family excuse.
Exit question: What sort of a deal do you think the current Illinois Governor is cutting to name somebody else to the seat?
highhopes on February 20, 2009 at 5:19 PM
The economy is in the craper, Mexico is on the verge of collapse, Iran is building nukes and we have a bunch of rejects from Johnny Dangerously running the country.
RadioFreeUSA on February 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Good grief! Is there no end to the corruption that inhabits Illinois? Will Quinn appoint himself to the Senate seat? Will he hold an election? Rush is right again. This is a sit com.
BetseyRoss on February 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
He is just workin out the details of his retirement…
right2bright on February 20, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Bambi can give him the newly created, via
TotalitarianExecutive Order, White House Office of Urban Affairs position to get him out of there.WashJeff on February 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
On behalf of the internet, I would like to say to him:
“kthxbai”
Byzantine on February 20, 2009 at 5:21 PM
I am waiting for the giant glass dome from the Simpsons movie to be airlifted over Chicago to keep its infections from spreading.
WashJeff on February 20, 2009 at 5:23 PM
OMG I just listened to the CBS news on the hour on my radio here in the office and they are saying that this finally has risen to a critical mass for the Democratic Party. They stated with a “seemingly complete meltdown in the Chicago Democratic political party” and the “parade of cabinate candidates that have had to resign or turn down their postions because of scandals” it would only be fair to also call it a “Culture of Corruption”.
WOW!!!
hawkdriver on February 20, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Too funny. Reid cutting the cord to his new baby.
Jaibones on February 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Thank goodness they moved the DNC headquarters to Chicago so it would feed of the Beltway influence.
WashJeff on February 20, 2009 at 5:25 PM
More like a nightmare that we can’t wake up from.
highhopes on February 20, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Yeah, he has nothing to lose by refusing to resign at his age and with his prospects. If he does resign, he knows it will be interpeted as an admission of guilt and from what I’ve read, he’s worked harder to stay clean during his career than the average Chicago pol. He won’t want to give up his reputation if he can avoid it, although he doesn’t have much left now at any rate. Can’t help but feel a little sorry for him. He let his ambition get the best of his common sense.
a capella on February 20, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Well , “the horse has bolted”.
the_nile on February 20, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Burris living on borrowed time?
RMR on February 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Any truth to the rumor that the rats living at Roland W. Burris’s house in Chicago have all vacated the premises and moved a few blocks over to Obama’s house?
coldwarrior on February 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
I think Burris does get all those Senate pension/benes. and who the hell can really make him leave other than the US Senate or an indictment.? and if they (state or feds) indict burris (he just can’t keep his lies straight–that’s stupidity, not a crime), then they will have to remove alot more Senators.
kelley in virginia on February 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
You know what? The ethical, moral, and legal issues where the filthy liar’s administration has tripped up makes me think that we have transcended “culture of corruption” and are into an alternate universe. Like that Star Trek episode but with us getting the evil ones.
highhopes on February 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Actually, I lied. This was just another installment of “What would The Media Say If It Was Republicans.”
Suckahs!!!
hawkdriver on February 20, 2009 at 5:30 PM
HEH!
Now I know why tigers eat their own.
Kini on February 20, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Actually Not too long ago
Funny how Clinton Slid on this same issue
William Amos on February 20, 2009 at 5:32 PM
I love it. Nutroots wacko Jane Hamsher led the crusade to force Harry Reid seat Buris and it’s just backfiring thier faces ever so perfectly.
Thanks Jane!
Topsecretk9 on February 20, 2009 at 5:34 PM
I’m pretty sure Burris wouldn’t be vested in the pension thing so quickly. But I think you are spot on with the rest of your post. There is absolutely no way Burris is going to resign short of conviction (never mind indictment- William Jefferson was around for FOUR years after he was indicted). Unless forced to do so, it would take the Democrat party going out after Burris for ethics violations and we all know that there is no such thing as an ethical Democrat.
highhopes on February 20, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Regarding the former Oregonian Senator: He didn’t really intend to do any of that. Apparently, his subconscious was just living up to his surname.
coldwarrior on February 20, 2009 at 5:36 PM
Much more true than what I was goofing on. I just sit in awe of the media worship that goes on with the democrats amid the daily and I mean daily scandals that come out of all this.
SNL this last week was the perfect example. Why wasn’t the opening skit funny? Becasue it wasn’t based on any form of truth. Humor needs that. What would have been funny would be a spoof of the entire cabinate selection process and “no one” paying taxes until Obama suddenly finds himself alone saying “Live from New York…”. Or the spoof could have been the dems adding every stupid pork idea under the sun to the Stim Bill. If the shoe were on the other foot, that’s what they would have done to Repbulicans.
As it was, Republicans were teased about (of all things) being excluded from the negotiation process by the democrat thugs on the hill.
hawkdriver on February 20, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Chicago, chicago that toddling town
Chicago, chicago Ill show you around – I love it
Bet your bottom dollar youll lose the blues in chicago
The town that billys sunday could not shut down
On state street that great street I just want to say
They do things that they dont do on broadway – say
They have the time the time of their life
I say a man and he danced with his wife
In chicago, my home town
Sing and dance everyone! It’s Chi-town politics gone national, in the White House and “In Your Face!” as Barry says.
BTW, you fools better love it or watch your backs… Oh, that’s right… we’re already watching that movie. Think it will win an Academy Award?!
Cody1991 on February 20, 2009 at 5:51 PM
He’s not an
ex-parrotex-Senator until he’s pining for the fjords of Chicago.NeighborhoodCatLady on February 20, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Ha. Reid was watching his every step. God, I hate that rat.
marklmail on February 20, 2009 at 5:55 PM
I love it when two dummies extraordinaire lose at poker.
Entelechy on February 20, 2009 at 5:56 PM
P.S. Anybody seen my wallet?
whitetop on February 20, 2009 at 6:03 PM
First time I ever saw real inner-party dissent on HuffPo. Didn’t they get the word that dissent is not patriotic anymore?
Hilliary will not be happy.
hawkdriver on February 20, 2009 at 6:07 PM
Reid did not even want Burris on the senate but had to accept him. Now he sees an exit for the new senator and adios!!
Politics indeed makes strange bed fellows..
OneConservative on February 20, 2009 at 6:13 PM
According to the recent news, Chimpanzee’s make strange bed fellows.
coldwarrior on February 20, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Wait for the race card to be dropped at any moment.
You are aware, are you not, that there are no other BLACK senators? I’ll have you know that this is a “black” senate seat! Just as there is a “Kennedy” seat and a “Biden” seat!
You racists!
GarandFan on February 20, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Send in the clowns..
Don’t bother, they’re here.
BobMbx on February 20, 2009 at 6:22 PM
It’s no wonder nobody read the stimulus bill . . . they’re all to busy covering their butts and trying to keep their places at the public feeding trough. Good lord this is sickening.
rplat on February 20, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Burris says:
But I can’t resign. I’ve already carved “Senator” in my monument!
BacaDog on February 20, 2009 at 6:28 PM
Duumb.du dum dum.duummb.
Now you know why Jesus wasn’t born in Illinois.
Couldn’t find three wise men, or a virgin.
Speakup on February 20, 2009 at 6:33 PM
Who wants to bet that Burris locks himself in the Senate bathroom and refuses to come out?
The BHO Senate seat will become known as the seat of political death for Democratic machine politicians. The Illinois legislature can use it as a punishment.
progressoverpeace on February 20, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Yesterday on this here intarwebz site I predicted that Rollie would be out of office by Kentucky Derby Day. If I have to explain to you when that is, you shouldnt be reading this blawg.
I now think that he’ll be gone by cut-down day at the Master’s. See above if you dont know what or when that is either.
Its Beer-30. Gotta run. Forward, Drink!
Mike D. on February 20, 2009 at 6:43 PM
1st Saturday in May. Please stand, and try not to cry when they play “My Old Kentucky Home”.
BacaDog on February 20, 2009 at 6:51 PM
The bus is running
Streecar on February 20, 2009 at 7:08 PM
They supported him for as long as they needed him. They only wanted his vote on the Porkulus.
Did he not see the lights on the bus flashing?
milwife88 on February 20, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Say hello to Senator Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Percy_Peabody on February 20, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Someone needs to fix the shocks on this bus. It’s getting rather bumpy…
karl9000 on February 20, 2009 at 7:23 PM
More of Obama’s Chicago!!!
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/1-dead-2-wounded-in-southeast-side-shooting.html
LtE126 on February 20, 2009 at 7:33 PM
have you heard of Scooter Libby?
Quinn seems like a decent guy. He would be a real step up from Burris and the guy who recently held the seat. Hell, he’d be a “giant leap for mankind” up from the senior Senator from IL.
I think Quinn has called for a special election, which is smart. The dems will hold the seat still, but by 2010? Not quite such a good picture for them, probably.
funky chicken on February 20, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Isn’t that the opening act for The Preakness?
Laura in Maryland on February 20, 2009 at 8:17 PM
The greatest 2 minutes in sports. Everything else is just a horserace.
BacaDog on February 20, 2009 at 8:41 PM
LOL!
Laura in Maryland on February 20, 2009 at 9:03 PM
What do you bet? Blago will make Burris share his senate pension with him. He receives a pension for life for serving as a US Senator. Follow the money……
torrejranne on February 20, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Darrel Thompson is a racist. Why else would he quit working for the greatest black senator since Barack Obama?
DamnCat on February 20, 2009 at 9:54 PM
The fact that Roland Burris named his two children Roland II and Rolanda ought to give everyone a clue as to his character.
baldilocks on February 20, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Not to mention his a mausoleum for himself and his family in South Chicago’s Oak Woods Cemetery.
coldwarrior on February 20, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Please check your spelling…
Terry
MoranMoronseanrobins on February 20, 2009 at 10:53 PM
First they refused to seat this guy, going so far as to say “over my dead body” then they find they would need his vote on the pigulus bill. He votes for the bill and is passed, now they don’t ned him, so out you go. These guys are just evil.
jainphx on February 22, 2009 at 10:51 AM