Burris Says There Was No Quid Pro Quo

Former Ill. AG Says He Never Made A Deal With Tainted Governor For Senate Seat

(AP)  U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris testified Thursday that he didn't strike any agreement with Gov. Rod Blagojevich to win the plum position, and said he's never been involved in an improper deal in his two decades in government.

His testimony under oath was one of the key requirements Senate Democrats set out for Burris as a condition to accept his appointment, who initially had balked at any choice by the scandal-clouded Blagojevich.

"I can before this committee state that there was nothing ... legal, personal, or political exchanged for my appointment to this seat," Burris told an Illinois House committee investigating whether to impeach the governor.

But Burris declined to answer questions about whether he would have gone to federal authorities if he'd been offered such a deal. He also declined to say whether Blagojevich should resign or be impeached, saying he has no control over those issues.

The governor picked Burris to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat after being arrested on federal charges that include allegations he schemed to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

Burris, 71, said Thursday he didn't talk to Blagojevich about the Senate seat before the arrest, though he said he expressed interest to some "close friends" and Lon Monk, a former top aide to the governor.

Burris said he had been discussing consulting work with Monk when he said: "Lon, I'm interested in that that Senate seat and I think you've got access to the governor, so just let him know that I'm interested."

Burris said he didn't know whether Monk told Blagojevich.

The House committee was voting Thursday on whether to accept a report that said the Democratic governor had abused his power and recommended he be impeached by the full House. If accepted, it would set up an impeachment vote by the House on Friday.

Earlier this week, Burris was turned away in the rain when he went to the Washington, D.C., to be sworn in.

It wasn't long before Democrats began their hasty retreat, bowing to pressure from Obama and other Democrats that the dispute was damaging to the party.

Democratic leaders said they didn't plan to comment about the hearing Thursday.

Obama had spoken to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Monday about the importance of quickly resolving the standoff, according to Democratic officials. Reid was told by Obama that if Burris had the legal standing to be seated, it should be done "sooner rather than later," said an Obama transition aide, speaking on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private.

The dispute had taken on racial overtones after comments by some supporters of Burris, who would be the Senate's only black member following Obama's departure.

On Wednesday, the day after Burris was turned away from the Capitol, he was invited in to meet with Reid and the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois.

Later, Reid and Durbin said they thought highly of Burris and they were merely waiting for procedural matters to be resolved before he could be seated.

Burris still hasn't taken the oath of office to join the newest members of the 111th Congress. He has said he should be able to join the Senate "very shortly."

Senate leaders have said they also are waiting on the Illinois Supreme Court to rule on whether Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White must sign Burris' certification to comply with Senate rules.

Finally, the Senate would almost certainly vote on whether to seat Burris, Reid said.

The process still could take several weeks, Senate officials have predicted.

[brannigon]

Burris Says There Was No Quid Pro Quo! Must be Cajun; he''s speaking French! (Joke)I dare him to explain what that means!

[alindgr1]

All I have to say is: yeah right.

[anillafield]

Burris has got to be kidding, right? Blago found a perfect sucker to buy the senate seat. As the former AG, Burris has connections in the IL legal system and can directly influence Blago''s case. Blago planted an "incentive" in Burris'' ego by connecting his own legal troubles with the legitimacy of Burris'' senate seat. And Burris would do anything to clear all obstacles, including Blago''s legal problems, to make himself a senator.

[susanhelit]

There was a quid pro quo - play Blago''s patsy, in exchange for a Senate seat.

[notopennshut]

Mr. Burris, and you expect us to believe that? When Blago was heard in his own words, on tape, saying that this "golden seat" will not go for naught!! Are you kidding? How much you owe him may never be known, but what we do know is that this is a "golden" chair that you will be sitting on if you get it. Words do not lie, and these words remain forever. Even as you know that this is so tainted, yet you went ahead to "buy" it. You are exactly on the same ethical level as Blago and you will certainly be reminded of it by voters in 2010.

[joeforusa]

I am sorry but the only way for this thing to end is for the State of Illinois to hold a special election. This whole thing is an embarrassment. It is time for "dirty" politics and pay to play to stop. I want someone who is going to represent us and not some political hack who is there for his own ego, senate pension and trying to find ways to collect 1.2 million dollars for free.

It is time for change-It is time for this saga to end. Illinois needs a special election. Give the people the chance to select a representative. Give us our election. I can%u2019t take this anymore.

[spinproof]

It seems clear to me those interested in clean Government do not want anything to do with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, in fact Gov. Blagojevich''s own Chief of Staff Resigned, not wanting to be anywhere near his corruption. Gov. Blagojevich first offered Pres.-elect Obama''s vacant Senate seat to black Chicago congressman Rep. Danny Davis who turned Gov. Blagojevich''s offer down saying Gov. Blagojevich was too tainted for him to accept and serve under those circumstances, in addition telling Blago thanks but no thanks! The million dollar question is why didn''t Roland Burris feel the same way, reach the same ethical conclusion? Why is Roland Burris willing to associate himself with Gov. Blagojevich''s corruption and be tainted by the association? It would be fitting to see Gov. Blagojevich''s decision to appoint Roland Burris reversed and see Congressman Danny Davis appointed Senator instead as a reward to him for his wise judgment turning the offer down in the first place.

[usclimey]

One minute you self-righteous rightists are condemning democrats of a rush to judgement with Blag with cries of innocent before proven guilty, now you''re tar and feathering Burris over his association with Blag before there''s any evidence of wrong-doing in his selection. Burris may be a pompous self-centered, loud-mouthed little twerp, but that doesn''t mean he paid to be nominated. God tyou guys are such hypocrites.

[spinproof]

Posted by usclimey at 10:23 AM : Jan 09, 2009

Many people wait until they are actually dead to acquire a headstone for their grave but not Roland Burris, in fact he even wrote his own inscription! If you want to see this monstrosity and check out his ego trip check out this link!

http://flickr.com/photos/southbound_07/2750018934/sizes/l/

Roland Burris may also be accused of "The Art of being connected to Blago without looking like it!", lol, for example Roland Burris and his lobbying firm that received Contracts from the State of Illinois gave over $20,000 in contributions to Gov. Blagojevich in addition to hiring Gov. Blagojevich''s wife and giving her a job, but this was just a loose connection, No Quid Pro Quo of course! lol

[juliuswillis]

dear cbsnews,
please find out why sen. reid flip flopped on the burris issue. one day he wants to block burris from the senate seat, the next day he''s welcoming burris into the senate with open arms. how/why did reid change his mind? was it on obama''s orders that this welcome happen? thank you.
jw

[cessna172_]

Without the signature of the Secretary of State it simply isn''t legal for Burris to be seated .

People please keep the Respect & Honor for the House !

I have nothing against Burris at all & hopefully he will feel the same as well .

[marys33]

Words I heard spoken by Burris on Wed., January 7th around the middle of the day on a CBS radio news clip. It was in reponse to a question as to whether he would agree not to run for the Senate in two years, after he is seated.

"it is too early to make that decision, right now we have to make some money to take care of some of the things we''ve done so far" NOT verbatim, but pretty much those words. I couldn''t believe my ears, waited for the outcry from the "talking heads". Watched for the clip on TV that night and next day. Never saw or heard it again. I know I wasn''t hearing things - what happened to that clip? Did anyone else hear it?

[samrt-2009]

"...please find out why sen. reid flip flopped on the burris issue..."
-- Posted by juliuswillis at 12:34 PM : Jan 09, 2009
=========================================

Sen. Reid flip-flopped because that''s what he does. He''s either the worst Senate Majority Leader in the history of the Democratic Party or the best Republican undercover agent in the history of the Republican Party. Either way, Sen. Reid always finds a way to screw things up for the Dems.