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The Mechanics
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Federal Government Sat Feb 28 2009

Same Side of the Aisle

A reader reported to us that she happened to fly back from a trip to DC on the same American Airlines flight Thursday as both Illinois senators Dick Durbin and Roland Burris. The flight was delayed three hours, during which time Burris worked the gate, shaking hands and talking with other passengers. Durbin was nowhere to be found until the plane began boarding.

The senators turned out to be seated right next to each other -- Burris by the window, Durbin in the middle seat, with a large gentleman on the aisle. Durbin and Burris didn't speak the entire flight, according to our source, who was two rows in front of them. Burris reportedly stared out the window the whole way, while Durbin appeared to be sleeping. They went in opposite directions once the plane landed at O'Hare. Considering their recent meetings have been tense, it's no surprise -- but you'd think they would have been able to switch seats.

 
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df / March 2, 2009 12:33 AM

You've got to be kidding me. Is Rod Blagojevich now a ticket agent for American?

Daniel / March 2, 2009 1:04 PM

Awwwwwkwwwaaaaarrrrddd

John Mish / July 3, 2009 8:51 AM

Is Rod Blagojevich now a ticket agent for American?
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law blogger / July 13, 2009 10:05 AM

Politicians of national importance sometimes need to keep a low profile in the public. This could be another reason why the Illinois senators didn't interact with each other to avoid attracting undue attention.
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Frank Celgray / August 13, 2009 12:25 PM

That's hilarious, you'd think Rod Blagojevich was now a ticket agent for American! But Politicians of national importance usually need to keep a low profile, so this isn't all that surprising.

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