Diversity = divisiveness when it comes to politics
My thanks to Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich for filling the “race in politics” void while President-elect Obama is vacationing in Hawaii. Blagojevich, who has been charged with trying to sell Obama’s vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder, has refused to resign and instead chosen to make things difficult for the Democrats.
By defying both public and political sentiment not to name Obama’s successor, appointing former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the Senate seat appears to be a deliberate act to inject race into the political mainstream – again. On the surface Burris, who is African American seems ably qualified to replace Obama, the only African American in the Senate. However given Blagojevich’s legal problems and the tainted nature of Burris’ appointment, the Democrats are now forced to oppose the process and the man that came along with it. Clearly this was Blagojevich’s intention when he made the appointment.
For his part, Burris looks pathetic and must share the blame for being an enabler of Blagojevich’s race-baiting strategy. A career politician who has failed several times to be elected to his state’s highest offices, he sees the Senate appointment as his last and best shot at the big time, and is willing to sacrifice his integrity to get it.
When it comes to race and politics, it always takes two to tango.
Diversity = divisiveness when it comes to politics
