Burris story changes, but too late?
posted at 10:08 am on January 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Harry Reid may want to bar the Senate door again after a new detail emerged from the Illinois House impeachment panel yesterday. Earlier, Roland Burris had denied ever speaking to any representatives of Rod Blagojevich before December 26th. Now, however, Burris has apparently changed his story:
A potentially troublesome new detail emerged about Roland Burris’ controversial U.S. Senate appointment Thursday after a state House panel voted unanimously to recommend Gov. Blagojevich be impeached.
For the first time, Burris indicated that he asked Blagojevich’s former chief of staff and college classmate, Lon Monk, to relay his interest in the Senate seat to the governor last July or September.
“If you’re close to the governor, you know, let him know I’m certainly interested in the seat,” Burris said he told Monk.
That testimony appears to differ from an affidavit Burris submitted to the impeachment panel this week in which he stated he spoke to no “representatives” of the governor about the Senate post prior to Dec. 26.
Was Monk “close to the governor”? Close enough to get his own FBI handle in the wiretaps. Lon Monk is Lobbyist #1, and had served as Blagojevich’s chief of staff before going into the lobbying business.
Burris wants to play a little Clintonian word parsing. He now claims that Monk technically wasn’t a “representative” of Blagojevich because he no longer worked for the governor. However, Burris’ revised story makes it clear that he acted as though Monk represented the Governor, regardless of his official status. Burris told him to get his name to Blagojevich if he could in order to get the appointment.
If Monk didn’t represent the governor, why would Burris have told him that? If Burris trusted Monk to get that information to Blagojevich, then clearly Burris thought Monk still represented the governor.
Will this give Reid some extra support for keeping Burris out of the Senate? It could have done so had Reid not already begun caving to pressure from the Obama team and his own caucus to end his opposition. Still, Reid has no legal reason to keep Burris out, at least not at the moment — but any hint that Burris participated in a pay-for-play scheme to get that seat could allow Reid to refer his appointment to Rules and keep it there for a long time.
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Damnit, I GOTTA go to the store for more popcorn!!!
Tim Zank on January 9, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Count on Harry to take the most slitherful tactic to extricate himself from this current poop maze.
whitetop on January 9, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Reid and Obama do not want to risk a special election. This protest of Burris is mostly feined. I believe they were glad Blago picked. Still, they do not want to be linked to Blago, hence the drama.
I am still reeling from the back half of Caligula’s horse going to the Senate from Minnesota. And of course, Princess “You know” Caroline is probably going too.
Mr. Joe on January 9, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Wait… why is this treated as a NEW discovery?!
Last WEEK Burris said as much and that he had been after Blago for the seat for quite some time. I can’t believe he had the gall to say he had NO contact.
Skywise on January 9, 2009 at 10:19 AM
To borrow a phrase I stole from somebody, Chicago politics is a whorehouse. To now say that Burris is a little skanky is to state the obvious. He’s as bad as any of them. But, that said, Blago is the governor. He has the right and duty to appoint whomever he thinks is fit for the office. Like Blago and the appointment process or not, Burris is that guy. Chicago and Illinois deserve him.
What is absolutely delicious about this whole affair, is that the longer it goes on, the more likely it will be that Zero will be exposed for who he is (not that many haven’t already tried).
azlibertarian on January 9, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Does dingy Harry have tire tracks on his face?
grapeknutz on January 9, 2009 at 10:24 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhahahahahaha!
Lawd, even in P.T. Barnum’s wildest dreams he couldn’t imagine a better circus than what the DFL pinheads are creating these days.
Fortunately our brave and politically neutral MSM is on this, dutifully reporting ALL the details so the public can be made fully aware. It’s ok, I guffawed at the thought too.
Bishop on January 9, 2009 at 10:24 AM
Or, maybe Burris knew Monk still talked/socialized/ran into Blago and asked him to tell pass on to him that he was interested? There is nothing sinister in this and nothing that would make his statement perjury.
Blake on January 9, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Gentlemen,
This is a setup. From Feinstein to Reid. You are buying the premise that the information released and statements by various democrats are independent of each other. I do not believe they are. Feinstein was a coordinated “break in rank” to save face and put “pressure” on Reid. C’Mon….
They want power, they need the vote, they want to appear otherwise or ‘reluctant’ as though they are taking the high road.
The high road would be a special election. They will not do that. Why are we buying into posturing games instead of calling it that and hammering about a special election. They need the vote. They will seat him.
Starlink on January 9, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Would you pick me up some milk duds while you’re there, please!
Laura in Maryland on January 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Blake on January 9, 2009 at 10:25 AM
You should do standup.
Bishop on January 9, 2009 at 10:29 AM
It all depends on what the definition of “ever” is…?
singlemalt_18 on January 9, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I’m having a hard time really caring.
The public has spoken.
They don’t care how corrupt or incompetent Democrats are, because the media will hold their hand and tell them that it doesn’t matter, because Democrat hearts are in the right place.
Meanwhile, Republicans are always Ebeneezer Scrooge, Snidely Whiplash, Beelzebub and Mr. Burns all rolled into one.
Until the press stops being a continually willing fluid receptacle for Democrats, they can pretty much do as they want.
NoDonkey on January 9, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Under no circumstance should Harry Ried be allowed to pick who can be in the senate. Doesn’t he realize if Illinois has a special election there is a good chance that a republican (a conservative one – not a RINO) will be elected.
Tommy_G on January 9, 2009 at 10:32 AM
I dunno. That’s a stretch. It would not be unreasonable for Burris to argue that he knew they were friends and presumably as friends they still spoke and even talked politics, and just wanted Blago to know that he had a hat to throw in the ring.
Buy Danish on January 9, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I agree with NoDonkey. But it does make me sad that one the one side Burris is made to look like the pure, driven snow, while everyone knows that he salivated for this seat and went after it. The MSM does not even talk about anything about this, because it implicates even The One! BUT the election is over – I do hope we learn something from it!!! So far we have not – because we the people keep electing the same kind of scum over and over! Rush says “elections have consequences!” EVERYTHING in life has consequences!!! When are we going to learn that???
mkosin on January 9, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Sorry if this has been said, but, maybe the “Jr. Senator (wannabe) from IL” should just have his staff investigate this whole assumption, then they too could release a report claiming that they’ve investigated themselves and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
Goose, meet Gander.
dish on January 9, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Seems to me that somewhere in the Senate’s Code of Ethics, Reid can hide behind a clause, keeping Burris out, stating that the clause states that the “integrity of the Senate shall not be impinged”, etc, etc.
Therefore, until this “apparent conflict between the signed and presented affidavit and this newly revealed communication is resolved we strongly urge that Mr. Burris would refrain from being seated” or the rhetorical equivalent.
As Slick Willy “The Ultimate Parser” Clinton how to word the press release.
Amendment X on January 9, 2009 at 10:44 AM
since when does the gov’s appt have to appear at the Illinois general assembly to answer questions? Duh, Duh, Duh! the appt. is legal. the Ill. statute merely “recommends” that the Ill sec’y of state affix signature. Burris should be US Senator.
So harry reid is acting like the good guy? are we the only ones that disbelieve?
kelley in virginia on January 9, 2009 at 10:45 AM
The most remarkable part of this, is it just shows how transcendent Dear Leader is, to come through the cesspool of Chicago politics without any taint of corruption on His person.
And I’m going for gourmet popcorn now.
rbj on January 9, 2009 at 10:52 AM
It has occured to me that Blagoyevich has outmaneuvered both the Senate Democratic leadership and has run over the incoming President. That is not a good sign of things to come. This is a clear demonstration why Senators are not usually presidential material. Governor Blagoyevich knows how to use executive power to accomplish his goals. Obama doesn’t have a clue. The congressional barons and foreign leaders will continue to show their contempt for him.
jerryofva on January 9, 2009 at 10:57 AM
And you should get a clue before you open your mouth. Was Monk a paid or unpaid representative of Blago when Burris asked him to let Blago know he was interested in the job? No. Does that contradict his statement in the affadavit? No. Do people pass on messages or put in a good word for people with former employors? All the time. Is it illegal? No. Is it acting as a representative? No. Does in make you a representative? No.
Blake on January 9, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Because Blagojevich had the power to appoint Obama’s seat, who can say how many people contacted the governor with interest in the position with no offer of pay-to-play. “Contact” does not mean a transaction occured, and the HINT is still unseen and unheard at this point.
Rovin on January 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM
True.
Not true. It’s perjury. It’s nearly the exact same context that Scooter Libby was convicted on.
Skywise on January 9, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Most ethical congress, ever.
lorien1973 on January 9, 2009 at 11:00 AM
more Chicago idiocy.
But Burris is in.
Moral Authority Bobby Seal has spoken.
notagool on January 9, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Exactly. And the more Reid complains about Burris being tainted, the harder it gets to justify the tainted Charlie Rangel still heading Ways & Means, not to mention demanding he resign.
Buy Danish on January 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Maybe we can all pass the hat and share a truckload. I’m in for a super sack, myself.
Scott P on January 9, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I think we have a winner here!
TugboatPhil on January 9, 2009 at 11:07 AM
really. if harry reid thinks burris is an issue, he should look within his own house. harry can’t cast the first stone, as it were. can you say teddy kennedy?
kelley in virginia on January 9, 2009 at 11:09 AM
While I’ve always thought Pelosi was the biggest joke in Washington, Harry Reid just keeps throwing up three-pointers to stay in the “game” of dumb & dumber. Harry’s “out-of-his-element” argument makes for great comedy.
Rovin on January 9, 2009 at 11:16 AM
What part of the word “perjury” do the dems not understand?
Johan Klaus on January 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I am all for following the rules even when theyget you an odious result. BUT is it too much to ask to clear the air surrounding this swamp BEFORE you let anyone in?
I mean common sense tells you that anyone blago puts forward especially under the circumstances MAY be less than clean. Now the clintonian word parsing begins but no one is calling for a timeout JUST TO MAKE SURE nothing untoward took place.
Burris sounds like someone hiding something. His complete failure to acknowledge that anything MIGHT be questionable makes him looks obtuse AND dirty.
America1st on January 9, 2009 at 11:31 AM
In 2002 Burris ran in the primary for governor. At the time, Paul Vallas, who tried to reform the Chicago Public Schools, looked like the strongest candidate, but it was understood that Burris would draw votes away from Vallas if he was in the race.
There were hints that Burris was in the race only to draw votes away from Vallas to the benefit of Blago, who was also running and was not well known outside Chicago (or should I say well liked since his father-in-law’s reputation preceded him). Daley hated Vallas and preferred to have a Chicagoan as governor, especially someone like Blago, who he thought was pliable.
What’s interesting is that Burris received a $1.2 million loan from a telecom company, which was forgiven when Burris dropped out of the race. That company has only donated money one other time to a politician — to Blago in his 2006 race.
Burris is not very bright but is extremely vain and ambitious (see his tombstone, which has been already printed with his “accomplishments”). It’s well known that he’s been a tool for politicans and lobbyists for years.
In yesterday’s interview before the impeachment committee he couldn’t remember his clients or the amount of money he’s donated to Blago in the last few years. He’s the front man, the name on the door, and nothing else because there’s not a lot of brain activity up there.
After Balgo was arrested, Burris stated that he thought Blago was incapacitated and shouldn’t make the senate appointment, until, of course, Blago appointed him. Now it’s all fine.
This is Chicago politics where the politicians are either ruthless or, like Burris, dumb and crazy.
One commenter stated that the people of Illinois got what they deserved. There are a lot of people in Illinois that have voted against these people for years. Unfortunately, there are more numbnuts that vote according to race and party and nothing else and we continue to be saddled with crooks as a result, just read about the Strogers, Daleys, Jacksons, to name a few. Ugh.
Sensible Mom on January 9, 2009 at 11:32 AM
It’s always the cover up that burns you.
I find nothing suspicious in someone letting the governor know you are interested in an open seat.
As long as there was no offers of payment, there is nothing to hide here.
MarkTheGreat on January 9, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Is mime the same as speaking?
bloggless on January 9, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Is a friend of Blago a “representative” of Blago.
Such parsing will probably pass any legal tests.
It sure doesn’t pass the smell test though.
MarkTheGreat on January 9, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Make mine
Crows… opps, candy that looks likeblack… opps, African-American Dots.Wade on January 9, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Awwww, I thought it was new details about Plaxico, in the nightclub, with a gun (sounds like Clue). But this is just as good.
hoosiermama on January 9, 2009 at 12:03 PM
This is an odd timeline. I understand from a couple of postsers more familiar with Burris that there may be more to the story, but I think more needs to surface before conclusions can be drawn. Burris could have made the statements about the Governor not appointing the seat based upon the assumption that one of the Pay to Play folks would get the nod.
This could be something other than a cover up. Memory is associative, and he could have genuinely made a simple, apropriate statement to pass his interest along to Blago, and forgotten about it because he heard nothing back from the Gov.
This could be the very reason he was selected by Blago. If Blago remembered being informed of Burris’ interest, and Burris never participated in the Pay to Play, he would have been the obvious choice to try to defang the looming indictment.
That wouldn’t surprise me in the least, which is why I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the situation….for the time being..
Marine_Bio on January 9, 2009 at 12:03 PM
It’s very simple…yes means no and no means yes. Case closed.
I don’t like Burris, the way he’s pushing himself into that seat, and, he reminds me of a bloated weasel I once knew…
Christine on January 9, 2009 at 12:11 PM
This doesn’t sound significant to me. The job was not even available last summer, so no deals could be struck for it. It sounds like what Burris did was just standard networking. In fairness, I really think that it might not have occurred to him that expressing interest to a former staff member of Blagojevich about a job that might become available fell into the same category of contacts about which he was questioned. After reflection (or perhaps after a tip from the lobbyist or someone else) he realized that it might be relevant.
Y-not on January 9, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Ed! That’s racist!
Badger40 on January 9, 2009 at 12:31 PM
In Illinois, all the Republicans are rounded up and put in the deep freeze on voting day.
Sounds like Washington DC is controlling the Illinois state government.
Sxyrzrbck on January 9, 2009 at 12:48 PM
What an absolute Clown show the democrats are!!!
Baxter Greene on January 9, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Burris testified yesterday that he told that to Monk when he and Monk, were meeting as two lobbyits, exchanging clients and what not, lobbyist stuff, and Burris told Monk, well I should be able to handle these unless I get that PEBO senate seat, then you have to get someone else..
apparently lobbyists often meet n chat and talk about possible conflicts of interest they may have and swap clients to avoid them…
what a sleazefest lobbying and politics is…
ginaswo on January 9, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Liar, liar, pants on fire!
Cheshire Cat on January 9, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
- Sir Walter Scott
MB4 on January 9, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Evidently anything less than an hour long full lip lock is considered to be “No contact”.
MB4 on January 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM
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