by Frank James
The Chicago Tribune editorial board, which has just launched an old-fashioned newspaper crusade to clean up Illinois politics, has decided the first politician it needs to sweep away, is the nation's newest U.S. senator.
It's calling on him to quit, effective immediately, because of his evolving story about the nature of his contacts with former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's circle before the disgraced ex governor appointed him to the Senate.
The benefit of the doubt had already been stretched thin and taut by the time Roland Burris offered his third version of the events leading to his appointment to the U.S. Senate. It finally snapped like a rubber band, popping him on that long Pinocchio nose of his, when he came out with version four.
Let's see if we have it right: Burris had zero contact with any of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's cronies about his interest in the Senate seat being vacated by President Barack Obama--unless you count that conversation with former chief of staff Lon Monk, and, on further reflection, the ones with insiders John Harris, Doug Scofield and John Wyma and, oh yeah, the governor's brother and fundraising chief, Robert Blagojevich. But Burris didn't raise a single dollar for the now ex-governor as a result of those contacts because that could be construed as a quid pro quo and besides, everyone he asked refused to donate.
The story gets worse with every telling.
Enough. Roland Burris must resign.
That's certainly not the kind of editorial that's going to help Burris raise money to fight off a primary challenge next year if he decides to tough this out and try to run for re-election.
Burris is known to have a healthy sense of self, to put it mildly. So there are few people who expect him at this stage to walk away from a Senate seat he obviously coveted.
But with his support, not strong to begin with, eroding by the day, if he plans on hanging on it's pretty clear that his life will be miserable for close to two years.
What a tangled web he has weaved for himself.
Comments
Just like they called for Reagan to resign when he figured out that, despite his earlier telecast that "we did not trade arms for hostages", that in fact Poindexter North Abrams & Co. had been doing that under his nose all along.
Just like they called for Clinton to resign when he announced that "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky", while literally true if you go by the dictionary definition of "sexual relations" , was not the whole story.....
Burris won't resign.
So far as I can tell, he didn't give money to Blagojevich, didn't raise any money for him, did admit he had some contact with a list of names of folk associated with Blagojevich, and asked some of them whether they would be interested in trying to hold a fundraiser event for him (answer: no).
That all adds up a a big "So what?"
Did Kirk every have any similar conversations with any friends of George Ryan during the long period of years he was governor and after during which he (as leaked by US Atty office) was being investigated?
Did Lisa Madagan have any such conversations with anyone about Blagojevich in the past 6 years?
If so, they should resign from office, right, Tribune?
Posted by: ornery | February 18, 2009 8:02 AM
Illinois should just forfeit the seat until the 2010 election.
Posted by: mort | February 18, 2009 8:28 AM
Well Frank, your pals @ the Trib. certainly have finally wised up and I hope you Swamp bloodhounds expose this fraud, Burris. Get ready for the south side AF ministers and community, along with the congressional black caucus to play the race card on you. They always use it no matter how morally corrupt their candidate or officeholder has become. And your main man certainly will quietly stay above this political hot potato. However, when it expands as Rod and his gang start singing to Fritz., and the WH gang are dragged into this sordid mess, will you have to fortitude to follow the truth and get to the all the players or continue with "fluff' pieces of admiration? Here your chance to step up to bat for the citizens of Il. and maybe our country and rid us of the corrupt Chicago politics. Its "pucker-time", show us the money!
Flo and billy r; another one you can blindly support? How many "waivers" do Dems. receive before you get the big picture ? I've lost count. And how about the rather low key announcement of the Afghan "surge" buried on the big Porkulous signing day? Seems fishy to slip it in as America is preoccupied on the Obama nanny plan. Yes, the new transparency! Gotta love it!
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 18, 2009 8:40 AM
The Tribune is Liberal Sick-
Ask for Burris to resign and today Endorsed Another Machine Democrat for Rahm's old job.
No wonder they are in Chapter Eleven.
Posted by: Inky | February 18, 2009 9:33 AM
Hang 'em high, you good, old constitutionalists !! Ride those bill of rights, out on a rail !! Illinois, the odious Land of Lynchings !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | February 18, 2009 9:54 AM
Burris has lost all creditability with his serial series of lies and half truths. The Tribune got it right but did'nt go far enough.What about the 2 cowards who changed their stories and let him in the Senate in the first place? Harry Reid and Dick Durkin are grossly incompetent in their leadership roles and they ought to do the right thing and resign too.
As far as being tainted I think the Tribune would do well call for Charlie (tax dodger) Rangle,
Chris (Countrywide) Dodd, and
Barnie (Fannie Mae) Frank, to step aside too.
Posted by: Bushwacker | February 18, 2009 9:57 AM
Inky, do not miss the John Kass column in today's Chi. Trib.!!!
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 18, 2009 10:19 AM
Bubba Porter, you've totally lost it; it's awful early to be drinking again. No I never "blindly" supported Burris; I don't care who represents Illinoisy. Mort has a good idea.
Posted by: Flo | February 18, 2009 10:27 AM
Burris has lost credibility and would probably not win election in 2010. Illinois does not need quacks like Boy Wonder Mark Kirk or Peter Roskscum running for the Senate either. Roskscum has done nothing for the 6th District since he took office in 2006. He won by a few thousand votes based on lies and falsehoods. Kirk has been a Bush tool since the day he took office.
Posted by: Doug R. | February 18, 2009 10:37 AM
From the Impeachment Hearing:
Rep. Jill Tracy asked if Burris expressed interest to anyone besides Monk.
Burris: "No, I can't recall."
To me, this says it all. This is the statement that should oust him. He won't step down. He is basking in the media attention and frenzy. It all is feeding his voracious ego. He is not doing what is best for the people of Illinois. I just wonder when he will hire a publicist and start doing the talk show circuit.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | February 18, 2009 10:54 AM
Cranky today, Bubba Porter? So much venom; get a grip, pal.
Posted by: mort | February 18, 2009 11:03 AM
Burris has lost all creditability with his serial series of lies and half truths. The Tribune got it right but did'nt go far enough.What about the 2 cowards who changed their stories and let him in the Senate in the first place? Harry Reid and Dick Durkin are grossly incompetent in their leadership roles and they ought to do the right thing and resign too.
As far as being tainted I think the Tribune would do well call for Charlie (tax dodger) Rangle,
Chris (Countrywide) Dodd, and
Barnie (Fannie Mae) Frank, to step aside too.
Posted by: Bushwacker | February 18, 2009 9:57 AM
You made an excellant statement-
But The Tribune dosen't Have The Old Robert R guts any longer.
Posted by: Inky | February 18, 2009 11:13 AM
Stick a sock in it, Porter !! You're making more noise, than your favorite noise machine, Fox Noise !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, America | February 18, 2009 11:20 AM
Inky, do not miss the John Kass column in today's Chi. Trib.!!!
Posted by: Bubba Porter | February 18, 2009 10:19 AM
Thanks Bubba will go out and see if I can dig another one out of the garbage, will not waste money on the Liberal Tribune.
Posted by: Inky | February 18, 2009 11:29 AM
It would've been nice if the liberal apologists at the Tribune (Kass is the exception) would've said this back in January when we had a chance of stopping Burris, but all we got was the chorus of "you must seat him" from Eric Zorn and the rest of the Obama and Burris apologists on Michigan avenue.
Posted by: Jeff | February 18, 2009 1:57 PM
"This is not the Roland Burris/Jeremiah Wright/Tony Rezko/Rod Blagojevich/Tim Geithner/Tom Daschle/Bill Ayers I know." Barack Obama
Posted by: Bruce | February 18, 2009 3:44 PM