Burris now acknowledges fundraising effort for Blagojevich

[kpete]

Source: Chicago Tribune

Originally posted: February 17, 2009
Burris now acknowledges fundraising effort for Blagojevich

Posted by Rick Pearson, John Chase and Ray Long at 10:40 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris has acknowledged he sought to raise campaign funds for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich at the request of the governor’s brother at the same time he was making a pitch to be appointed to the Senate seat previously held by President Barack Obama.

Burris' latest comments in Peoria Monday night were the first time he has publicly said he was actively trying to raise money for Blagojevich. Previously Burris has left the impression that he always balked at the issue of raising money for the governor because of his interest in the Senate appointment.

In comments to reporters after appearing at a Democratic dinner, the senator several times contradicted his latest under-oath affidavit that he quietly filed with the Illinois House impeachment panel earlier this month. That affidavit was itself an attempt to clean up his live, sworn testimony to the panel Jan. 8, when he omitted his contacts with several Blagojevich insiders.

You can read Burris' give-and-take with reporters here.
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/02/burris-unscripted-more-details-about-blagojevich-contacts.html

Read more: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/02/burris-now-acknowledges-fundraising-effort-for-blagojevich.html?track=email-alert-breakingnews

[AndyA]

1. It's probably time for Burris to go. He's off to a very bad start.

I know there are lots of honest, progressive Dems out there. We need to find them and get them seated where they can do some good. This kind of stuff just makes it easier for the GOP to condemn us.

[No Elephants]

40. The GOP condemns us, no matter what. I can't worry about that. But Burris has to go. Two separate

issues.

[TwilightGardener]

Nice.

[kestrel91316]

2. Unacceptable. Time to make way for a REAL Dem, anyway.

[Mz Pip]

3. Did Burris really think this

wouldn't come out? What Hubris! I know the guy has a big ego but this is verging on delusional.

We really don't need all this drama now.

[BonnieJW]

8. Big ego is right.

He always refers to himself in the third person, using the royal "we." There are only three people who can use that term: king/queen, the Pope and someone with a tapeworm.

[bertman]

12. . . . and someone with a tapeworm.

:rofl: :rofl:

Perfect.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

44. we need a warning for that. Now I need a new keyboard.

[slackmaster]

4. Well,

Bye.

[grantcart]

5. add senator to your mausoleum and resign

[ChairmanAgnostic]

46. our local public radio said the wall already has Senator on it.

it was apparently done right after his selection.

[Lost in CT]

47. Apparently he could add fundraiser to it as well.

I know people have defended this tool but honest to God he does more harm than good.

[dhill926]

6. anyone from Illinois know what the procedure would be.....

if Burris has to be replaced. Does Quinn just get to appoint, or would there be a special election?

[southern_dem]

9. Not from Ill

but since the state legislature didn't pass the rule change, Quinn can appoint a replacement.

[dhill926]

11. thanks!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

45. ONLY Quinn can appoint a replacement.

But Illinois cannot remove him, we have no such vehicle in place.
ergo, the pleas for his resignation from both sides of the aisle.

More and more, I think that Blaggo knew EXACTLY what he was doing, thumbing his nose at us once again.

[GinaMaria]

21. not sure. It might be up to the US Senate at this point. This has

been a disaster.

[No Elephants]

41. No, it's not up to the U.S. Senate to choose Burris's replacement.

[southern_dem]

7. Burris needs to go

For the good of the people of Illinois and for the good of the party. If he won't resign, then the Senate Dems need to start the process to remove him. We need to show we won't accept corruption like the Repubs have for the past 8 years.

[truebrit71]

10. That's called perjury...time to resign Mr. Burris...

..what a total cluster-fuck this has become...

[Piewhacket]

13. Oh S*... it was tainted from the gitgo ..get Burris out of there!

[karynnj]

14. He needs to resign

It was borderline when he didn't tell the whole truth - but this increases the problem in two ways. He lied under oath and there was a quid por quo. This is wrong and he needs to step down. Quinn is now Governor and he can make a clean nomination.

[closeupready]

15. Fail.

he should resign.

[Botany]

16. Time to go Burris

"That affidavit was itself an attempt to clean up his live, sworn testimony ...... "

[McCamy Taylor]

17. Oopsies! Time to resign big guy.

I have been firmly behind him, until this.

Clear the way for a Democrats with no ties at all to Blago to be appointed.

[Elidor]

18. What a POS

How did this idiot think he was going to get away with this? Hopefully, this will be the end of his career.

[scytherius]

19. He won't,, but he needs to resign. What a disaster.

No way the GOP gets this seat but . . . damn.

[Bette Noir]

20. Uh, oh.

I can hear the fat lady warming up in the wings...

[Botany]

25. I hope they bring her on stage ASAP

They should get this over quick

1) Burris Resigns

2) 2/3 vote of senate

3) Recall vote in Illinois (??????)

[groundloop]

22. It would take a 2/3 vote by the senate

to expel Burris, wouldn't it? I wonder if enough repugs would try to block his being expelled just to keep him around as a punching bag. Sounds kind of extreme, but wouldn't put it past them.

[jmowreader]

23. It would only take what, nine? Republicans to make a 2/3 vote

and I think we'd get them all--mainly because they could then run out and say "we had to clean up the Democrats' mess for them."

[sufrommich]

24. He's done. Get him out and begin the damage control.

Plenty of other good politicians in Illinois.

[demo dutch]

26. Shut up Burris!.... What is wrong with him!!

[demokatgurrl]

27. This guy is bad news, and a distraction that

Obama can do without. I mean, I'm sure there was no quid pro quo:sarcasm:

[depakid]

42. He's been bad news for a long time

It really was impressive that so many DU'ers couldn't (or wouldn't) see it.

And now that he's in- he's not leaving any easier than Blago did.

[GodlessBiker]

28. Stick a fork in him.

[guitar man]

29. Who does Burris think he is

A Republican? If he was, I'm sure it would all blow over the next time Paris Hilton got a hangnail, but that stuff ain't gonna fly for a Dem.

[opihimoimoi]

30. He is TOAST...he would save face by sepuku.....resign.. ...or....mea culpa.....

[cobalt1999]

34. I agree...Toast

[opihimoimoi]

37. Needs to be burned a bit more...LOL

[Burma Jones]

31. He has GOT to resign.........

Should never have seated this slug.

[ozu]

32. Shocking

Did anyone actually think this appointment was going to end well?

Resign and fuck off, Burris.

[fascisthunter]

33. the lying and BS'ing is so Prevalent

I suppose it's ok with those who "live in the real World"... :crazy:

[classysassy]

35. Fair minded

A fair minded congress,that prides it self as being honest and fair,should also try bush, for lying us into two wars.Burris was wrong to lie,but no one has died because of his lie.

[IGotAName]

36. Wow- so... should Sen. Clinton resign, too?

Because she campaigned and raised money for President Obama, yes?

And then was appointed by him to the Secretary of State position....yes?



Did that raise people's eyebrows?


For the record, I don't think there's anything illegal about Clinton campaigning for Obama and then being appointed Secretary of State.

[Psephos]

39. you're missing the point

Burris pretty clearly lied in testimony to the State Legislature about his contacts with Blago et al., and now claims it was due to a combination of faulty memory and not getting a chance to finish his answers.

Lying under oath (and submitting false sworn statements via affidavit, which he also did) is perjury, a criminal offense. That's the problem here.

The transcript of Burris' testimony does not support Burris' "excuse." See for yourself.


Feb. 15, 2009 press conference: http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/02/burris_explaining_himselfagain.html

Documents of the Illinois General Assembly Special Investigative Committee concerning Burris:
http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/reports.asp?CommitteeID=758&GA=95

[Lost in CT]

48. Um I am pretty sure Clinton actually ran against Obama...

I will have to check my notes.

[Raine]

38. He should go so the Democratic Governor

can appoint someone whose clean if he can find anyone who is. :yoiks:

[No Elephants]

43. He has admitted perjury. They should ask him to resign today, letting him know there will be

an expulsion vote tomorrow if he does not oblge.