Would Burris Have Sent Blago a Check? Probably, but Then Blago Got Arrested
The release of the transcript of Roland W. Burris's typically weaselly recorded-by-the-FBI conversation with indicted Blagojevich brother Rob-- the "W" in Burris's name should stand for "weasel"-- does not prove what Burris' lawyer, Timothy Wright, says it proves.
In logic worthy of the spookiest pages of George Orwell, Wright argues that the transcript actually clears his client, now, to our state's colossal embarrassment, the junior senator from Illinois. Burris never sent the check, Wright tells reporters:
"He never did it, and that's what counts."
It shows nothing of the sort. Burris promised in the seven-minute wiretapped call on November 13, 2008, to send a check by December 15, 2008. Blagojevich was arrested at his home on December 9, 2008.
Does anyone believe that Burris, who was panting after the appointment as the capstone to his headstone, would not have delivered the check had Blago not been arrested in his PJs early that December 9 morning (before Burris could drop in the mailbox the check he had promised by the 15th)? Burris' self-imposed deadline was still six days away.
As New York Times reporters sum up the conversation:
"In the call, [Burris] seemed almost in a crass negotiation with Mr. Blagojevich's brother -- also his chief fund-raiser -- over how he could help the governor, win the appointment and not run into trouble over negative connotations that he might be trying to buy an appointment by fund-raising for him."
One thing is certain: the 10-page transcript shows Burris' description last February of his chat with the governor's brother was a lie.
"I made it very clear to him that I would not contribute, that it would be inappropriate and a major conflict, because I had expressed an interest in the Senate seat," Burris said then.
And so, by the way, was his sworn testimony last January before the House Committee considering Rod Blagojevich's impeachment. Burris swore that he did not promise then Gov. Blagojevich contributions in exchange for Barack Obama's vacated senate seat. Burris' own voice on an audio tape soon to be broadcast to the world will give the lie to that assertion.
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It is all speculation. Burris "probably" would have sent Blago a check. He did not. And it is that act that is pay-for-play.
They need more to prosecute. Unfortunately, the prosecutor was too impatient to wait. All will walk except Blago and his aid.
And I could be wrong, but I thought the most aggressive person willing to play was Jesse Jackson, no one else was mentioned. So, this means that even the Prosecutor at the time of the indictment didn't think Burris was part of the 5 people who were in play.
How come the FBI gets to arrest Blago, but he gets considered for a Reality show instead of being held accountable. He's "indicted" but still roams free wagging his narcistic tongue.
How come the FBI gets to name Candidate #5 as Jesse Jackson Jr. and then nothing comes of it because he's got a "legacy".
How come the FBI gets to release whatever they want whenever they want and not back it up with charges while we all flail around with our fannies in the wind wondering who did what?
HOW IS THIS GOOD FOR AMERICA? I'm pissed at the FBI, or maybe I don't understand.
I doubt anyone seriously thinks Burris will be indicted and I don't think that is what your blog is about Carol. The truth is the man appears to have negotiated to "buy" the Senate seat, he appears to have lied about his conduct to the Senate and to the public, he seems to value the seat as a prize rather than for any good that he might do with it and it is certain that the people of Illinois have been foisted with Burris as their unchosen "representative". And the entire matter has become stteped in racial politics and the needs of the Democratic Party. Honest government doesn't seem to stand a chance here. That is a tragedy.
All I know from watching COPS is that if someone pulls up in front of an undercover officer and offers her cash for sex, he is charged. The money doesn't have to change hands. The agreement of criminal activity is enough. It is certainly enough for an indictment. He can try and argue the "I never really intended to go through with it " defense in front of a jury. If that is the case, he needs to do a better job than he did on Hardball the other night.
I don't understand why the Prosecution didn't wait til monies exchanged hands before jumping to indict someone.
I know! The DAY AFTER the FBI heard Jesse Jackson almost ready to make a deal they arrest Blago. Were they preventing Jesse Jackson Jr from committing a crime? I'm tired of this B.S.
This speculation.
They acted so that Blago would not actually SELL the seat. They should have waited until money changed hands, but before the seat was granted. Surely, they know how to set up a sting?
Burris is a poor senator and a worse human being, but I would avoid going where this line of reasoning is going. Can we convict someone or punish them based on what choice we think they were going to make if they were actually given the opportunity to choose? "He probably would have" won't stand up in court. And shouldn't stand up in our minds either. The real problem is letting Governors choose senate replacements.
You are right. But I wasn't contemplating a court of law; I'm considering the court of public opinion. I think Burris will hang on to his seat. Will he try to win a full term in the Democratic primary? Yes, probably, because he's Burris. The politics of that race would be ugly and definitely hurt the Democrats.
Read Mike Sneed's column this morning in the Chicago Sun-Times. She leads with news of Roland Burris writing his memoir for a as yet unknown publisher.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/1596019,CST-NWS-SNEED28.article
The working, title, a Burris "literary agent/attorney" reports, is "The Empty Seat."
I have a much better title:
"The Empty Suit"
My favorite headline thus far in the Roland Burris coverage was in Steve Chapman's colum in the Chicago Tribune: "An Empty Suit for An Empty Seat."
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/jan/01/news/chi-oped0101chapmanjan01
i don't know. i listened to the call earlier... he does seem to be concerned that if he gives blago a contribution it would look funny under the circumstances.... but i guess since the transaction was aborted, so to speak, with blago's arrest, we will never know what would have happened... i do believe burris would have been forever grateful and would have wanted to do what he could for blago, and fundraising between pols isn't necessarily a crime.....
I can't believe Burris "Then never asked!"
Well, excuse me Burris, but the whole damned investigation is about giving money for the seat.
And he says "they never asked" ?????? WTF??????
The guy will never let go of the seat because he knows he could never get it the honest way.
I think "W" stands for another word--Welch. You make a bet and don't pay, you still made the bet. Burris made the play, he just thought after Blago's arrest he didn't have to pay.
Carol, two things: First, I think you hit the nail on the head... Burris was planning to send Blagojevich money and throw the fundraiser but, oops, that pesky little arrest of Blago got in the way. Second, does it sound like Burris' attorney is taking a page from the Sarah Palin playbook? Remember when the report surfaced that Pain actually did violate the Alaska ethics law, and her attorneys (or spin doctors, not sure which) came out and stated that the report actually vindicated Palin? Must be a tactic shared among losers.
good memory! And then she denies she did anything unethical.
That's all people like her and Burris do, they just say "I didn't do anything" like lying little kids.
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