Roland Burris is now on hiatus...from the media.
And so falls a once highly-regarded public servant onto the sword of his own ambitions, as he takes the last refuge for public servants who cannot explain their misdeeds - hiding.
You may recall that Burris' entry into the Senate was paved by his testimony that he NEVER spoke with, nor offered anything to, anyone working with now-impeached Governor Rod Blagojevich This was a critical declaration, as Blago basically said he was trying to sell the seat to the highest bidder.
NOW Burris releases an affidavit saying he HAD spoken to several Blagojevich advisers, including Blago's brother and finance chair, Robert Blagojevich. Burris said Bo-Blago called three times last fall asking for fundraising help. Apparently, using the Clinton marijuana defense, Burris says he tried, but did not succeed, in raising money for Blago.
The U.S. Senate Ethics Committee is now investigating, and Democrats are calling for Burris' resignation and an investigation into perjury charges.
The Associated Press reports that Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, said Wednesday that "the accuracy and completeness" of Burris' testimony and affidavits "have been called into serious question."
"Every day there are more and more revelations about contacts with Blagojevich advisers, efforts at fundraising and omissions from his list of lobbying clients. This was not the full disclosure under oath that we asked for," Durbin said in a statement.
Ever the avoider of hard political choices, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he's not calling for Burris to resign even though the account of how he was appointed "seems to be changing day by day."
Even Blago's replacement, Democratic Governor Pat Quinn, is weighing in. "It was a gigantic mistake for Roland Burris to even accept an appointment from Rod Blagojevich," said Democratic Governor Pat Quinn. "He's having to deal with that now." (Of course, in fairness, Quinn is probably just peeved that Blago snaked the right to appoint from him before he could get it.)
But there is no way this seat stays Democrat at a special election. Way to wreck your own state and sully your entire career, Roland!
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