Burris admits Blagojevich donation request

[cal04]

He says ex-governor's brother sought $10,000 in campaign funds
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29195951/

Sen. Roland Burris admitted Saturday that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for a campaign contribution before the governor appointed Burris to the Senate.

The disclosure is at odds with Burris' testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other aides to the now-deposed governor about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

Burris issued a statement Saturday saying he voluntarily gave the committee a Feb. 4 affidavit disclosing the contact with Robert Blagojevich because "there were several facts that I was not given the opportunity to make during my testimony to the impeachment committee."

The affidavit, released Saturday by Burris' office, said Robert Blagojevich called him three times — once in October and twice after the November election — to seek his fundraising assistance.

Burris, a Democrat like the governor, said he told Blagojevich he would not raise money because it would look like he was trying to win favor from the governor for his appointment.

[dkf]

1. Sigh. How embarrassing.

The guy is toast.

[havocmom]

2. so the brother of a known crook asks you for 10 Grand and you sorta forgot

Hmmm,most of us would likely hold a real grudge and surely remember that kind of request.

[Radical Activist]

3. It looks like the committee didn't ask the right questions.

They asked if the senate appointment was discussed and it appears that it wasn't. Asking for fundraising help, that wasn't given, doesn't mean they also discussed the Senate appointment.

I don't see how MSNBC's claim that the two statements are "at odds" is true. That assumes a lot of things we don't know from the article.

[book_worm]

4. Hopefully Burris won't run in '10

[rosesaylavee]

5. This is pitiful.

I am hoping someone runs for the IL Senate in 2010 that I can get excited about and who isn't that much of an idiot.