As Burris Storm Brews, Durbin In Greece With Potential Foe Giannoulias

As a political storm brewed around new U.S. Sen. Roland Burris on Tuesday, fellow Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin kept mum, traveling out of the country with a man who could be a contender for Burris' seat in 2010.

Durbin is spending the week in Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, accompanied by Illinois state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who is Greek.

Durbin is assessing security in the region, said spokesman Joe Shoemaker. Giannoulias spokesman Scott Burnham said Durbin invited the state treasurer, who paid for his own trip.

Illinois' senior senator, Durbin left over the weekend and has not had a chance to review any of the documents related to the recent flap over Burris, Shoemaker said.

In an affidavit released over the weekend, Burris acknowledged deeper connections to ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich than he did previously to an Illinois House impeachment panel that impeached Blagojevich.

In statements since, Burris also has now acknowledged trying to raise money for Blagojevich.

The Sangamon County prosecutor's office on Tuesday began reviewing documents related to Burris' testimony before the impeachment panel after lawmakers called for an investigation into whether Burris perjured himself.

Shoemaker said Durbin doesn't want to comment on the Burris situation until he reviews the materials, including a transcript of Burris' testimony before the impeachment panel in January.

"He hasn't had a chance," Shoemaker said.

Comments

[GeorgeP922]

This article sucks.

As a Greek American I was totally psyched at this headline, but like my brother said when I sent it to him is "Durbin went on a trip to Greece, and took along a Greek politician with him"

To the writer of this article, specuflation is fun and interesting, but back it up with SOMETHING, a little backround, and what if any relationship he has with Quinn, the guy who appoints him?

[carnelld]

History Lesson: or Someone Wants The Senate Seat for Someone Else

1. Rahm Emanuel contacted the Governor to give(Obama's) acceptable list of names, including Valerie Jarrett.

2. Poor Jessie Jackson, Jr got his name smeared because he lobbied for the position(African American).

3.Harry Reid contacted the governor for three females, including Lisa Madigan (Illinois Attorney General) and some woman who got her legs shot off in Iraq.(non African American)

4.The Governor was threatened not to appoint anyone.

5.The Governor was told it would be illegal for him to appoint someone, although it was prescribed by by the Illinois law.

6. Harry Reid, Dick Durbin, and Obama issued a statement saying No one appointed by Blago should be seated.

7. Illinois Representative Madigan(Lisa Madigan's father) led the House in impeachment against the Governor.

8. The Republicans in Illionois all wanted a Special Election and did not want the Governor to appoint another Democrat.

9. The Republicans in the U S Senate were quiet, because the Democrats were fighting to keep a Democrat out of the Senate.

!0.The Governor appointed Burris. He was smeared , threatened and refused a seat in the Senate.

11. Burris filed with Illinois Supreme Court to get signature for Senate seat, after Illinois elected officila would not sign paperwork.

I am tired of writing.

[johnnygoodwud]

williamgossett' duh, they need a special election for the exact reason we're in the situation we are in with burris.

[johnnygoodwud]

while we're cleaning house with burris, lets do a two-for-one and dump durbin at the sametime.

[thenun]

Giannioulias will run for Burris' seat and, if he wins the primary, will no doubt face Republican congressman Mark Kirk, a moderate who is popular in his district, the 10th. Strangely, or perhaps not, Kirk has been appearing in commercials on Chicago TV the last few days linked with some health-care-for-kids initiave. Building his profile outside the district??? Could be an unexpected tough race for the Dems come '10, or sooner if Burris gets the boot.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

Not entirely popular (tho it's partly Bush/rep backlash) he didn't win by a landslide and I don't think his opponent was particularly strong. Has Kirk released a staerment on why he voted no on the stimulus?

[NCRDIBULL]

HOW MANY MILLIONS OF $$$$ IS TURBIN DURBIN WASTING ON THIS JUNKET

[KansasWrangler]

What has the security situation in Greece got to do with any of the committees Durbin in on and why is he the only one doing it? Great place for a winter vacation.

[meede]

My thoughts to. Security in Greece and Turkey have what to do with IL. Taxpayers will pay how much for this Junket with IL State Treasurer Giannoulias, who no doubt is enjoying family time in Greece. Not on our ticket boys. If you haven't noticed, people have finally opened their eyes and these junkets are no different than those taken by the CEOs of the banks and Wall St. You will be answering to these. You're finances are being scrutinized

[jeliz]

In reply to Mr. Gossett:

As a resident of Illinois, a special election would have prevented the very fiasco that is accompanying Mr. Burris at this moment. Our ex-Governor should not have appointed Mr. Burris, nor should he have accepted the position, allowing voters to choose someone outside the tentacles of this whole pay-for-play situation. However, I do feel some of the more "rabid" calls for investigation do stem from Mr. Burris' appointment and Al Franken nearly being seated and Republican fear of losing any further Senate seats to Republican scandal, as they are not immune to these situations either. Maybe they see some of their present members in questionable situations and fear a Democratic majority.

[JackND]

After the 2010 elections, there will be 60+ Democrats in the Senate perhaps as many as 65. There is little they can do about it, and the GOP's current behavior only makes it more likely to come to pass.

[WilliamGossett]

Will anyone tell me as to why they need a special election? Lynch didn't do it in NH and Ill law does not require it, so why do it?

[meede]

Because IL's history of corruption within the political arena runs so deep for so many years, it is the only way IL can recover. IL stands to loose further credibility which penalizes the citizens of the state. In fact, it should be required by all states.

[politicojunkie]

I left the state of IL in 1974, but am in total agreement with you. I don't recall a time in history when there was not political corruption. The will of the people is the best choice.