The following is an excerpt from OpinionJournal.com’s “Best of the Web” written by the editor, James Taranto.
Rol of a Lifetime
If there is to be a Sen. Burris, a Sun-Times profile suggests that he will be entertaining, for his ego is big even by Senate standards:
The 71-year-old Burris–who often refers to himself in the third person–has never been shy about broadcasting his ambitions and loudly celebrating his achievements.
“I am a visionary,” he declared in a 2002 interview with the Sun-Times when he was running for governor, his third unsuccessful try at the job.
In a 1994 interview with the paper, during his first effort at capturing the governor’s office, Burris said his past success–he had been elected comptroller and attorney general–was “divine providence” that began at age 15 when he decided to become a lawyer and officeholder.
“People said I was either crazy or divinely directed. I accept the latter,” he said. “I believe without a doubt that I am predestined to be a role model.”
Or at least a “Rol” model: Blogger Mark Kleiman reports that Burris has two children, son Roland II and daughter Rolanda. And if you think Burris is about to Rol over and play dead, well . . . you’re right! Politico reports:
Burris has already charted his esteemed career path on the walls of his future grave in Chicago’s Oak Woods Cemetery. Beneath a seal of the state of Illinois, Burris lists his accomplishments to date, and there seems to be plenty of room above the bench to mention his career in the Senate–if he has one.
Click here for a closer view of the tomb-to-be.
For more “Best of the Web” click here and look for the “Best of the Web Today” link in the middle column below “Today’s Columnists.”
