Burris Praises His Testimony: I Passed With Flying Colors (VIDEO)

Roland Burris praised his performance in front of the House panel studying impeachment for Gov. Rod Blagojevich Thursday, saying he "passed the test with flying colors":

"I have nothing to hide," Burris said at a State Capitol news conference immediately after he finished answering questions from committee members. "I am a hard-working public servant."

Burris categorically denied that he made any deal with Blagojevich in exchange for the seat, saying, "I can before this committee state that there was nothing ... legal, personal, or political exchanged for my appointment to this seat."

However, Burris did disclose a conversation with a Blagojevich confidante about the seat that could hamper his Senate seating.

Burris admitted to the panel that he had expressed his interest in the seat to Lon Monk, Blagojevich's close friend and former chief of staff who has been identified as "Lobbyist 1" in the criminal complaint against the governor. The disclosure of the conversation, which occurred while Burris was meeting with Monk about business contracts, contradicts Burris's January 5 affidavit:

[I]n a sworn affidavit filed January 5, Burris swore that, before he was asked by Blagojevich staff if he was interested in the position, "there was not any contact between myself or any of my representatives with Governor Blagojevich or any of his representatives regarding my appointment to the United States Senate."

Watch Burris's testimony: