Illinois GOP to discuss possible probe into Burris

[babylonsister]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hDyZBbTZQHmAx-X4cEJ7cd07HpfgD96C4LA80

Illinois GOP to discuss possible probe into Burris

57 minutes ago


CHICAGO (AP) — Leading Republicans in the Illinois Legislature are expected to call for an outside investigation of whether U.S. Sen. Roland Burris testified truthfully at the impeachment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Rep. Jim Durkin, the impeachment committee's ranking Republican, and House Republican Leader Tom Cross plan a news conference Sunday afternoon.

Their effort comes after the Democratic senator released documents Saturday indicating Blagojevich's brother asked Burris to host a fundraiser for the governor before Burris was appointed to the Senate.

Burris said he declined to do so because it would look like he was trying to win favor. But the disclosure reflects a major omission from his testimony in January.

[Warpy]

1. Let's see, they're outraged because Burris

finked Blagojevich for offering a bribe instead of simply shutting his mouth and taking one the way they do?

My mind is boggling. Make it stop.

[frazzled]

2. Well ...

I have to say that perhaps an investigation is merited.

I recall listening to his testimony during the impeachment hearings, and remember him specifically saying he had not been solicited. Now, apparently, he amended his testimony himself, so I doubt it constitutes perjury.

That said, I hope Roland Burris does not run in 2010. I will try to support someone else in the primary here. Hopefully, somebody very good will run.

[AvaMae]

3. ANYONE GOT A TRANSCRIPT?

Burris says they did not ask the questions in the way he could have given them the information...

Said he did not realize until he read the transcript that some information had not been added...

I think the republicans will launch a costly investigation that will conclude that Blagojevich should have been impeached and Burris was too thick to catch one... no money was forthcoming, so
that should have ended it, they got Blagojevich impeached without it, and Burris didn't do anything wrong, so what is the beef?

Anyone who has ever had anyone prep them for testimony has been admonished upon pain of death
JUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, DON'T NOD YOUR HEAD, DON'T ARGUE THE POINT, JUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

I think its much ado about nothing...

I also think this case should have been run by the book, with no presecutor standing in front of a microphone promising Lincoln rolling in his grave... because this is the fourtH democrat governor
unseated or in the process of being unseated by a DOJ that politicized itself and fired nine State's Attorneys who refused to go along with using the office to prosecute political enemies... even if
everything they said about Blagojevich was true, they owed their own credibility an absolute by the book case... and look what we got..

Headlines, tried in the press, no indictments....

[babylonsister]

4. Burris Update: IL Dems Also Call For Investigation

http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/02/15/burris-update-il-dems-also-call-for-investigation/

Burris Update: IL Dems Also Call For Investigation


@ 9:44 am by Jeremy P. Jacobs

A quick update on Sen. Roland Burris' (D-Ill.) admission that he spoke with Rod Blagojevich's (D) confidants before he was appointed to the Senate.

We previously wrote that Illinois House Republicans were calling for an investigation of Burris for perjury. But, according to this Wasington Post story, Illinois House Democrats are as well.

Several Republican and Democratic state legislators, learning of the affidavit after the Chicago Sun-Times reported on it Saturday, said they would request an investigation.

"He was sworn to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and it's obvious that didn't occur," state Rep. Jack D. Franks (D) said. "I'm disappointed, and I do feel betrayed."

[Venceremos]

5. How about a video of his testimony

Videos of Burris testimony are at youtube. It's in several parts.

One pertinent part is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytvEYjDg0Uc

In that portion of his testimony, Burris is asked if he was aware of any quid pro quo for the senate seat. He answers "no, sir".

He's also asked if he spoke to anyone close to the governor, anyone in the governor's family, and specifically asked if he spoke to Rob Blagojevich (the governor's brother) or the governor's chief of staff John Harris. Burris answers that he spoke to Lon Monk, which would lead one to believe he didn't speak to the governor's brother or John Harris. As you'll see from the video, he was given the opportunity to answer the question fully and truthfully. He gave this testimony on January 8th.

A few days earlier, on January 5th, Burris filed an affidavit that said he had no contact "with the Governor or any of his representatives" before late December.

Here's the affidavit: http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:gqrRiidqUcIJ:www.dailyherald.com/pdf/burrisaffidavit.pdf+roland+burris+affidavit&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us&client=firefox-a

A month later, on February 5th, Burris suddenly remembered he spoke with the governor's brother Rob three times in October and November, and that the brother asked Burris to raise money for the governor. They also spoke at least once about the senate seat. Burris also admitted he spoke to John Harris about the senate seat in October or November, plus he suddenly recalled leaving a voice mail for Harris in October.

Sometime between January 8 and February 5 Burris learned that at least one of his conversations with the governor’s brother was likely recorded by the FBI.

So do you believe Burris suddenly remembered speaking with the men only after he found out at least one conversation was likely recorded? Or do you believe that he had such a poor memory in his January 5 affidavit and January 8th testimony that he didn't remember those conversations? Or was he just too feeble in January to file a correct affidavit and understand simple questions?

In any case, an investigation is warranted.