Burris Says He Didn't Do Anything Wrong (VIDEO)

CHICAGO (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Roland Burris says he never participated in a pay-to-play scheme despite the release of a transcript in which he offers to "personally do something" for then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign fund.

Burris spoke to reporters outside his Chicago home Wednesday before leaving on a two-day tour of central Illinois. The Democrat says he didn't try to buy President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat and never committed perjury.

The senator's comments come one day after a judge allowed the release of a Nov. 13 wiretapped conversation between Burris and the former governor's brother. In it, Burris presses Robert Blagojevich for appointment to the Senate seat.

Burris on Wednesday said the transcript shows he's been truthful.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[pmag88]

Look, the guy is guilty of being an ambitious and slippery politician­/businessm­an. If you're going to indict him for that, then you'll need to indict the entire system as it exists. There is no illegality in fund raising, writing a check, or anything else that might have, but didn't actually happen. I have no issue with changing the way the game is played and I'd love to see that happen, but until and unless we the people force our politicians to write legislation that prohibits these kinds of political favors, beating up on Burris is a moot point. BTW - where did the investigations of all those wall street and media insiders who were mixing it up with the prostitution rings go? Haven't heard much about that of late. We buried Spitzer over doing what thousands of these other guys were doing, and we were promised an investigation.

[GravitonX]

This is nothing more than making a mountain outof a molehile, and in the end, the Democrats will need his vote, so they'll toe the line.

[SCCavie93]

This Senator is in the Congress because legally that was one of many responsibilities of the Gov. Blago going down now means all associated with him must go down??? If that is the logic, the entire FEDERAL and State SYSTEM as we know it would come crashing down around us.

If you are out to get people with DIRTY HANDS, THEY had ALL better jump in line (including Savings and Loan Conartist like McCain) and the campaign finance clothes stealing Palin etc....

Why the Federal Pen. would become another COUNTRY CLUB.

[SCCavie93]

BURRIS....the answer is...NO THEY DID NOT READ it!!! Poor excuses for jornalists. Why is this even an issue? Is this a slow news cyle day or what?

Here is something to report: Try investigating or reporting the need to charge some in this US with war crimes!

[mamala4]

Liar liar pants on fire....

[ThisIsJustMyObservation]

Burris should just stop digging

[VcKrc]

A few things that will bury him:

Saying he wants the senate seat up-front while on a call about fundraising
Saying this supporters or fundraisers would not be happy if they gave/raised money and he did not get the seat
Saying he would write a check and "personally" do something for the governor
Saying he considered having the check come from his partner
Repeating that he wants the seat at the end of the conversation

The entire call seems more damning to Burris then to Blago.

[listentome]

It doesn't look great for Burris, but another interpretation could be that Burris as he has said wasn't even on Blago's radar for the seat and was telling Blago's brother that he wants to help him, but he is interested in the seat and it will look as though he was trying to buy the seat. He said that he had always supported Blago and other candidates with contributions.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

That's exactly what I thought--the BlagoBrother was asking for money and Burris was dancing around the if I say no Blago won't pick me and if I say yes I'll get in pay-for-play trouble dilemma.

[listentome]

Based on the evidence thus presented I still don't think there is a case against Burris. So far the recordings and affidavits are prime examples of how any two people can have different interpretations of what they hear or see. A strong case can be made by either side and without more evidence or proof Burris can't be found guilty on these charges of paying to play.

[BluebirdofUnhappiness]

What was the pend trigger. That I believe Burris, don't like him or that I don't consider him a Rhodes scholar.

[Cynde]

What is this two day tour he is going on. Campaigning on our dollar. How can this guy say he did nothing wrong. And his lawyer yesterday in his defense was pathetic. Do they think we can't understand a conversation on tape.

[mjb5406]

Burris is convinced that right and wrong are the same thing, since they each contain 5 letters.

[Diogenis]

The reporters are like rabid beasts. Who would not get what they call "testy"?

[nomobull]

in this case they are doing their jobs.reid should have stuck to his stance ob this one.

[unity08]

He is a sad little man.

On the issue of what information has come forward, I swear he sounds like Sarah Palin, denying what the written facts reveal.

[petera63]

Why is this guy still in Congress in the first place?

[ThisIsJustMyObservation]

because he paid to play and he has to answer some questions.

[GravitonX]

Actually, he never paid anyone. You might want to get your facts straight.

[Chitown46]

The "Culture of Corruption" does not belong to one party and anyone who thinks it does has not been paying attention.