CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - Illinois Republican leaders on Sunday called for a perjury investigation of Sen. Roland Burris, questioning if he "purposely deceived the public" last month by failing to tell state lawmakers that then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother solicited him for campaign cash.
Burris confirmed Sunday that Blagojevich's brother, Rob, asked him to contribute or help raise money before the governor tapped Burris on December 30 to fill President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.
"I made clear to him I would not contribute [to the governor's campaign] because it would be inappropriate because I had expressed my interest in the Senate seat," Burris, a Democrat, told reporters at a news conference. "I did not donate one single dollar."
Burris has come under fire for leaving out the conversations during his January 8 testimony before the Illinois House impeachment panel investigating the governor. He emphasized Sunday that he addressed those conversations in an affidavit he submitted this month to supplement his testimony.
From CNN Politics
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Good idea. Take away his vote on Obama's porkulas bill too!
Only republicans? Why don't democrats want one too? The man lied to keep an office that had been given him by a corrupt governor. This is not about partisan politics. It is about corruption, which knows no party lines.
Having said that, the best thing would probably just be to let Burris serve out the less than two years that remain in this term, and then let Illinois voters elect a new, corrupt politician from one of the two parties in power in 2010. That way, even though the new senator was corrupt, he/she would have at least been elected.
Or better yet. Why not look at some third party candidates the next time there is a vote, instead of voting like republocrat sheep?
Honestly, is anyone surprised? Come on...the media was hell bent on making it a racial issue so Burris could slide into a position he did not deserve. Now look what is happening.
Yawn....and this is news? Ex-Gov Blag's, got the goods on Obama and Emanuell....Burris is another puppet, for Obama...corruption at it's Chicago-finest....
I am sick of all of the self-serving politicians. We need to clean house and increase the punishments for ANY politician caught lying or cheating for personal gains. I am thinking a minimum of 20 years on Rikers Island (maximum security) without parol and hefty fines. We need to make it known that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. Burris knew that if he had stated prior to his appointment these conversations, the Senate would have rejected him. Secondly, when did we start getting the luxury of submitting supplemental affidavits after the fact? He intentionally covered this up so he could get the Senate seat. It might not be perjury because of the way the questions were asked, but it sure is cheating.
Burris is like a stink bomb in the Senate. What a surprise–NOT.
From the beginning I was against this man's acceptance of an appointment by that nutcup – the former governor of Illinois. Burris's need to be a senator under any circumstances, spoke volumes about his lack of true character, and it was obvious that he was not telling the truth having any prior contact. Also, when you hear republicans and conservatives defend any democrats for whatever reason as they did, you know that something is wrong. On cable news shows these people spoke loudly and often about Burris's legal right to serve, and that is always the tip off that they (repubs) will come back with noise like this. I personally have been waiting for this to begin. You'll probably hear them hit hard on the next few news cycles on cable about why he should be somehow recalled, so that the GOP can push for a special election. Republicans are just not as smart as they think they are, and they are not really fooling the public as much as they think, using their so-called "principles", (which we all know by now that as a group they don't have). They can only lead the sheep not willing to use their own brains, by creating mischief and playing games, instead of doing what is best for the American people and the world. It is probably true, however, that these bad habits of the current GOP are just too hard to break, and that the only way to fix what is wrong is to replace as many of them as they can with people who are less greedy, and more progressive representatives of their party.
I think someone needs to be investigating Rob's brother, not Roland
As an African American, this man makes me sick. He has no spine, and he crawled in the Senate on his belly. This slimeball should be ousted on his rear for lying.
I think all Americans can agree that this man must go, especially since this should be Illinois' finest hour.
Who's investigating Rob's brother?
Illinois, Land of Lincoln and Nothing Else to Brag About for the Last 150 Years
Deception at work in Chicago politics, his vote(s) in the Senate should be voided/resended. He lied period, should liers be given a free pass?
Not sure if it question perjury but doesn't question judgement. He was in a no win situation with that as this is the very reason that whomever for Gov. Blagojevich nominates should never have been considered. Tainted. I really think both party are tanking.
Sorry. Does question judgement.
What is he really guilty of, being a democrat?
Libs elect people like him to be corrupt, dishonest, and greedy, they want their values represented and Burris, Blago, and Obama do that best.
The ILL. Republicans want a reason to get him out, that is what
it's all about.....If that was the case, then why didn't the Rethuglicans
say something about this a week ago, or more ?
The circus is wonderful. And it never stops. I've certainly got my money's worth, how about you?
If ever there was any doubt, then Burris has proven he is a politician of 'senatorial' class with this revelation.
Thanks Burris for making Illinois Democrats look bad again.
Burris' recent opening-up on the senate "auction" by Rod also opens up a new can of worms. We do not follow why he is doin' it now and naturally, eyebrows are raised, in addition to forehead wrinkling. Are we picturing another legal battle in Illinois politics?
What a freaking liar and opportunist. This guy is PATHETIC. Anyone who supports him simply because he is a Democrat is PATHETIC. He's as crooked as they come.
How do you "forget" to mention that Rod's bro called you three times, that you talked to him three times, about money for the campaign? Do you really think I will believe that you didn't work some deal to be Senator? THis guy is an egomaniacal slime who could care less about the people of Illinois or this country, and only wants something else for his "tomb."
Illinois, show the nation you are not as corrupt as we think you are and DO SOMETHING.
Let's hear it, Liberals: "How dare those terrible Republicans question any Democrat from Illinois? Everything corrupt and cruel in this world is the fault of Republicans. They caused 9/11 (forget Terrorists), Hurricane Katrina (those people had 4 days to get out of New Orleans...but most of them were able to get to D.C. for the inauguration in 1 day...I heard the interviews), and let's not forget Global Warming". Never question the purity of a Democrat in IL.