His chair is a simple rush-bottomed seat painted in sunny, yellow tones.

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But when they are in a rush between errands, or have two kids in the back seat, motivations can change 180 degrees.

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In 2000 he launched an unsuccessful primary campaign for a U.S. House seat running against U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther and Chicago alderman.

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However comments by Illinois Representative Bobby Rush indicated that charges of racism may hang over the Senate if it does not allow Mr Burris to take his seat.

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