Durbin: Burris Testimony Will Get 'Careful Review'

SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he and his colleagues will "carefully review" Roland Burris' testimony before an Illinois House panel that he didn't strike any deals with embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to get an appointment to the U.S. Senate.

Burris' testimony was one condition Senate leaders, who once vowed not to seat any Blagojevich appointee, set this week as they softened their position on allowing Burris entry.

Durbin said in a statement Thursday night that he hopes Burris' situation can be resolved "in a fair and timely manner."

The Senate's No. 2 Democrat also says the people of Illinois "deserve full representation in the U.S. Senate." His words echo Blagojevich's when the Democrat announced his decision to appoint Burris to the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Comments

[rejoiceinit]

I am sorry to say that even though I voted for him, I don't trust Mr. Burris on this. He is too brazen, too ambitious, and too flamboyant about this whole thing--reminds me of Blago. As a former Illinoisian, there is nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution on this one; if Rod is the one doing the picking, the people deserve to have that pick carefully scrutinized!

[stell]

There is no taint, there is no cloud. Burris is qualified and was legally appointed. Keep your silly feelings out of this. Burris is only a seat warmer if whites don't want to vote for him when he's up for reelection. How many of you predicted Obama would be elected President before the first primary? Wouldn't it be something if Burris was in fact reelected.

[newjerseybadger]

Burris and Obama share only party affiliation and the chance association of skin color. Obama ran for office, faced public scrutiny, and was elected to office. Burris has done none of these. As for "legally appointed", that remains to be seen -- and in any case was an appointment made by a governor who is under indictment for attempting to sell the office to which he appointed Burris.

Apparently none of these facts matter to you. At long last, sir, have you no shame? No common decency?

[bygollymissmolly]

I hope they look carefully into the contention that Burris' partner helped Blago's wife get a cushy job on a commission. I believe that was one of Blago's "Pay" options to "Play".

I have a sick feeling that Burris did "pay to play". If they seat him and then find out later, it's going to be much worse for the Democrats than if they hold of seating him.

[Rustyzipper]

Come on........, getting dizzy with all the Fact getting spun around, Burris, like Many others made it clear months ago, that IF Obama was elected, they would like to be in line for the seat, burris talked to some one in the Gv's office.. MONTHS ago.. now that the Gov is in deep do do, it looks bad.

If you were to take a poll of all the people that wanted to be Named. they had some contact with the Gov.

Seat Him and get over it....

[MESGAIN26]

OMG DEMS ONCE AGAIN EVEN AFTER WINING KNOWS HOW TO SNATCH JAWS FROM DEFEAT GET ON WITH IT SEAT HIM AND GET ON WITH THE PEOPLES BUSINESS

[newjerseybadger]

Do you, by chance, mean "The Democrats know how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory"?

[ReesieKitty]

I've emailed Jesse White to tell him of my support as an IL voter and also Dick Durbin to tell him we would rather wait a few months to get LEGITIMATE representation than have Burris shoehorned in as a seatwarmer. With the allegation that Burris met with Blago's aide- how can they even possibly claim that he is impartial??? I think the people of IL are speaking up loud and clear- let's just hope the Senate listens.

[Rustyzipper]

Gezzz, getting dizzy with all the Fact getting spun around, Burris, like Many others made it clear months ago, that IF Obama was elected, they would like to be in line for the seat, burris talked to some one in the Gv's office.. MONTHS ago.. now that the Gov is in deep do do, it looks bad.

If you were to take a poll of all the people that wanted to be Named. they had some contact with the Gov.

Seat Him and get over it....

[Meah]

Looks like Mr. Burris saw an opportunity and jumped on it. That would make him an opportunist, a manipulator, and undoubtedly a narcissist. All crucial ingredients for political office, especially when he would not have to get himself elected. Sly as a fox, that Mr. Burris.

[iwantpie]

co-signing

[MaryanneAZ]

There is nothing wrong with ambition and taking hold of an opportunity that presents itself. Most people would consider such a person both smart and ambitious. It's funny how we are all so willing to diss someone who admits to wanting the job and who took it when it was legally offered to him. I would think there was something wrong with him if he did not take the golden opportunity. Who in their right mind passes up an opportunity to better themselves or achieve a goal when it is offered? Not me. I can already hear the good judgment, ethics, morality arguments stirring on the blogosphere ... 3, 2, 1 let's hear it. I have a hard time understanding what is unethical, immoral or bad judgment about taking a plum job offer?

[bygollymissmolly]

You call someone "smart and ambitious" who lobbied for a job they knew would be looked at as tainted? I call that kind of person several kinds a fool.

There are principled people who turned down an offer by Blago because they knew that the seat would be tainted as long as Blago made the appointment.

[MESGAIN26]

OH PLZ ANY ONE WITH A BRAIN WOULD HAVE JUMP ON IT NOTHING WRONG WITH WANTING A JOB IT DONT MAKE YOU A OPPERTUNIST BUT A GO GETTER

[illinoisan]

Here's what we want. Go slow on the review until Pat Quinn appoints a legitimate successor.

[Pupster]

YES!

[nomobull]

keep speaking up people of Illinois.don't let others speak for you.

[nomobull]

then mr durbin you should ask the people of illinois what they want.

[bygollymissmolly]

What if the people of Illinois don't want the senate to accept anyone appointed by Blago. Would you be fine with that?