I have to admit…I was surprised when I first heard that embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich had appointed a senator to fill Obama’s vacant seat. Not because Blagojevich had chosen to do so while under fierce criticism and investigation, for Blago had already shown a propensity for poor (and bizarre) judgment, but because I couldn’t believe that ANYONE would be foolish enough to accept the appointment. The appointee would immediately fall under the most intense scrutiny…and the general assumption would be that he or she had somehow “paid” for the honor of serving in the Senate. For someone to accept the position…he or she would have to be either “squeaky clean,” and therefore unafraid of examination…or they must be as unstable and poor of judgment as Blago, himself.
Roland Burris was the appointee’s name…and only time would tell which of the two descriptors applied: “beyond reproach” or “beyond reason.”
Then – I heard about the memorial (see pic below) and my hopes sank. This is Burris’ memorial. That he built for himself. Before his own death. Which he made to read “TRAIL BLAZER.” Which lists all of his life’s accomplishments to date. It even has add-on panels for “other major accomplishments.” It’s like a bizarre post-mortem job application. The only thing it obviously fails to mention is Burris’ ego, which certainly must be the largest in recorded history and, therefore, worthy of noting.
BUT…in the absence of any evidence of graft, I extended Burris the benefit of the doubt. So did the U.S. Senate, and after brief sparring and negotiations, Burris was seated as the new Senator from Illinois.
A month passes…and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the man who appointed Burris, is ousted from power by the Illinois Senate for, among other things, trying to trade Obama’s U.S. Senate seat for various perks and payola.
On Saturday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day…can you feel the love), SENATOR Burris submits an affidavit to the Illinois House which openly contradicts statements Burris made to the Illinois House committee investigating Blago’s impeachment. In the committee hearings, Burris was specifically asked if he had any communication with any of Rod Blagojevich’s family (his brother Robert was named) or any of the Governor’s aides. Burris, at the time, claimed he did not have communication with any of those individuals. Yet in Saturday’s affidavit…Burris admits that he spoke with Robert Blagojevich, the Governor’s BROTHER, on three occasions…where Robert asked Burris for fundraising assistance…and Burris asked Robert about the Senate seat. Apparently…it’s possible that one or more of these conversations is on the FBI’s wiretap tapes, so Burris felt the need to disclose it prior to that evidence going public.
The ranking Republican from the impeachment committee, Rep. Jim Durkin, calls for Burris to resign…and for an investigation. New Illinois Governor Pat Quinn calls on Burris to explain the discrepancy. Illinois House Republican Leader Tom Cross also calls for an investigation into Burris. A spokesman for U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expresses disappointment and says the matter needs to be investigated.
And Burris, on Sunday, faces the media. Why did he submit the affidavit? He says, “It was done because we promised the (impeachment) committee we would supplement information in case we missed anything.” Really…while testifying and asked specifically about contact with Robert Blagojevich, you just forgot that you had spoken three times about the Senate seat? Burris also stated that he never accepted/provided any money (which is really not the issue at hand…he’s being accused of perjury, not accepting payola), and said, “There was no change of any of our testimony. We followed up as we promised the impeachment committee…The information that’s being reported in terms of that this was done because of a fed statement is absolutely, positively not true.” Perhaps no change to his testimony…except for one giant, reeking OMISSION. Oh yeah…and Burris also takes time to proclaim that he was never given the opportunity to answer a direct question about Robert Blagojevich. Apparently, when he was twice asked if he had any contact with “Robert Blagojevich” or “any other family members” or “any of the Governor’s staff“…these OPPORTUNITIES don’t count.
Tuesday…the floodgates open and a wealth of new information is released…and many in politics and the press choose to respond.
It becomes clear that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois made Burris agree to appear before the House impeachment committee as one of the “conditions of admittance” to the U.S. Senate. And then…while in the midst of whipping together votes on the Senate floor to support the passage of the Stimulus Bill…Burris chooses that hectic, and important moment to casually mention to Senator Durbin that he had updated the Illinois House regarding his testimony. According to sources on the Senate floor at that time…Burris chose to STRONGLY DOWNPLAY the nature of the “update.” And in doing so, Burris seems to have managed to alienate even his new Democrat colleagues.
Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan calls for an inquiry. Illinois Senators and Representatives…Republicans and Democrats…all begin calling for either investigations or, possibly, criminal charges. Before Tuesday is over, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has provided Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Schmidt with a transcript of Burris’ House committee testimony and two affidavits that Burris submitted, so that prosecution may proceed.
By that evening, The Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, local politicians, various County Clerks…have all called for Burris to resign.
Burris’ response: he “welcomes” an investigation and he has “nothing to hide.” Burris claims, “I have made an effort to be as transparent as I can and I’m willing to take a further step as I have nothing to hide. I welcome the opportunity to go before any and all investigating bodies, including those referred by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee, to answer any questions they have.” And then…Burris hints at a “concise document” which he will release later in the week which will clear the whole mess up.
Does this sound familiar…it should. With all the world against him, and the mounting evidence damning on so many levels…Rod Blagojevich told us that he welcomed an investigation and that once all the information was out in the open…he would be exonerated. We knew from day one that this was not true. Everyone knew that this wasn’t true…except, it seemed, Blagojevich. Now Burris, quite obviously guilty of attempting to conceal important information from the House impeachment committee, feeds us the same line. Well, it didn’t help Blago…and it won’t help Burris. And the question, “is Burris beyond reproach, or just beyond reason,” has been answered…and we didn’t have to wait very long. I’m guessing Burris will choose to omit this from his memorial. “U.S. Senator – January, 2009 to February, 2009” will fail to impress most visitors.