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Posted in:
* 2:52 pm - OK, campers, Roland Burris’ testimony should begin soon. Listen or watch here or click here to watch CBS2’s live feed, or check CNN or the Tribune, etc.
* 3:04 pm - Rollcall
* It’s not up yet, but exhibit 68 will have some details about the governor’s campaign finances since July 1. You’ll eventually be able to find it here.
* Roland Burris is now being given the oath.
* Republican Spokesperson Jim Durkin asked Burris about his thoughts after Blagojevich’s arrest. Burris said “surprised,” and Rep. John Fritchey objected to the line of questioning, saying it seemed irrelevant. “Our role… is to investigate Rod Blagojevich and not Roland Burris.”
* Durkin: Have you read the criminal complaint? Burris: No.
* Durkin: When did you first become interested in the vacant seat? Burris: After Obama won the Democratic primary for president.
Burris said he brought up the vacancy in July of last year with Lon Monk, during a meeting where Burris was trying to get state business. That would be new info, and not so great for Burris. Monk’s cellphone was tapped by the feds and he was this/close to the guv.
[Uh-oh, my site seems to be slowing down. Traffic anyone?]
* Burris says that as of today he’s not a registered lobbyist with the state, county, city, federal, etc.
* Tribune…
Before Gov. Rod Blagojevich picked him to fill the state’s empty U.S. Senate seat, Roland Burris called a top Blagojevich staffer to recommend his nephew for a state job, a close Burris aide said today.
Fred Lebed, who runs a lobbying and consulting firm with Burris, said Burris called Blagojevich’s top financial officer John Filan on behalf of his nephew, Steven Burris, who had applied for a job as a chief financial officer with the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency.
The Trib is also live-blogging.
* Burris is being pressed on the dollar level of state contracts received by his lobbying clients. Burris said he didn’t know, but his attorney said he would supply that information.
* Burris: Over an eight-year period of time made just over $11,2000 in campaign contributions to Blagojevich. Individually, he gave $4500. Durkin said, including the law firms, the total was far higher in the past six years.
* Burris seemed to have trouble remembering whom he lobbied for. He listed the mortgage brokers and tobacco interests and then drew a blank.
* Burris said he hasn’t contributed to the Blagojevich campaign since July of 2007. He said he didn’t know if his law firm contributed since he had no control over that. He said he did not bundle nor did he hold a fundraiser for Blagojevich. He attended one funder last year, and held a fundraiser for candidate Blagojevich in 2006.
* Durkin asked whether anyone from Blagojevich’s staff asked him to get involved in the 2002 primary race. Burris consulted with his attorney and said: “The answer is ‘No’ Rep. Durkin.”
* Now we’re getting to Telephone USA Investments, which gave a $1.2 million contribution (via a loan) to Burris in 2002. The only other individual to receive a contribution from the company was Rod Blagojevich in 2006. The idea here is to tie Burris closely to Blagojevich through this company. Burris said he didn’t know what the relationship the company’s owner has or had with Blagojevich.
* Durkin is being asked what, exactly, he’s getting at by Rep. Lou Lang. Durkin then asked Burris if he asked the company owner to contribute to Blagojevich. Burris said he didn’t. Durkin wants to know whether there’s conditions for repayment of the loan. The attorney objects, the chair asks Durkin to finish with the line of questioning.
* Durkin is now quoting from Burris’ claim last month that the governor was incapacitated. Burris said that if he was attorney general at the same time that Lisa Madigan was, he’d have taken the same action she took. “There’s an obligation… to make a determination as to whether or not the statute applied to the governor.”
Burris’ defense of that statement is that since the Supremes kicked out LMadigan’s motion, the governor is essentially not incapacitated.
* Durkin: Should the governor resign? Burris: I have no authority over the governor. That is his decision and he said he would not.
Do you support the impeachment efforts of this committee? I don’t know what the evidence is..
* When asked by Rep. Flowers whether there was any quid pro quo of any kind, Burris replied: “Absolutely, positively not.”
* So far, nothing has really come up except some allusions to other deals. If Durkin has evidence that contradicts Burris’ testimony, then there will be trouble. If Durkin has no such evidence, then these are just questions.
* Oy. Rep. Bill Black is popping off again. Black was asking questions about whether Burris agreed to any deal in Washington, DC about whether Burris would run again. Fritchey interrupted and wondered what, exactly, that has to do with Burris running in 2010 and Gov. Blagojevich.
* Burris denied knowing anything about how Mrs. Blagojevich got a job with the Chicago Christian Industrial League. Burris’ business partner, Fred Lebed, sits on the CCIL board of directors. Lebed has flatly denied that he played a role in the hiring, claiming that Gery Chico was the one who pushed CCIL on Mrs. Blagojevich’s behalf.
*** Ed Genson: Sam Adam, Jr. is not the governor’s criminal defense attorney and will not be. *** Interesting. Adam, of course, approached Burris on Blagojevich’s behalf.
* Burris said Adam did not discuss anything with him about the governor’s criminal case.
* Burris said he didn’t know all the ramifications of the governor being stripped of his federal security clearance, and that he would check with Sen. Durbin on what authority he had before acting.
* Burris: “The governor will have to deal with his problems that he has… but I will in no way be trying to interfere with any legitimate information being brought against the governor. That is not my purview.”
Burris further clarified the purpose of his meeting last year with Lon Monk: He said he was seeing if Monk had “excess clients in the lobbying business.”
* You gotta wonder what the Republicans thought they were gonna accomplish with this. So far, as I’ve noted above, they haven’t looked all that great.
*** Genson told the committee “Don’t count on Mr. Adam answering” questions about his role in the Burris recruitment.***
*** Burris has been excused. *** Burris: “God bless you all, happy new year.” 5 minute recess.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:53 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: This just in… Hoffman will vote to impeach ** No tapes for House yet *** Guv wants Fitz off case *** Arya: Guv should be forced to get psych evaluation *** Arya memo online ***
Next Post: Fresh impeachment thread *** Racial pushback against guv *** Genson, Adam leave hearing *** Roll call begins *** New poll shows opposition to Burris appointment *** 21-0 FOR IMPEACHMENT *** Resolution moves to House floor ***
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video feed is up, mics aren’t on - no audio
Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:58 pm
Looks like a nice crowd. Suppose they expect some action today?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:59 pm
I heard someone say the room mic is up now. Then, silence. Is anyone talking?
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:03 pm
audio on now, roll call
Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:04 pm
audio is up
Comment by Blue in DuPage Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Everybody’s got their the-national-press-is-watching duds on.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:05 pm
Those campaign finance records won’t be very useful to this committee (more useful to the USA) it takes days to comb through and make the connections between contributions and contracts either via your own database or using Hynes’s open book tool.
Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:07 pm
Fritchey looks even darker today. Did he spray on some extra for the CNN cams?
Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm
Reading exhibit 45… Wow….
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm
-oath of office
Only in his own mind, only in his own mind
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:09 pm
Currie made a point of calling him Attorney General. Durkin called him mister. No senator.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:09 pm
No opening statement? Hmmm…
Comment by Anon-athon Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:11 pm
Love the lawyer whispering in his ear!
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:12 pm
Here it is…
http://media.suntimes.com/images/cds/pdf/aryamemo010809a.pdf
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:12 pm
Roland didn’t read the Complaint? REALLY?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:13 pm
He hasn’t read the complaint? Seriously?
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:13 pm
He’s conferring with his lawyer on virtually every answer.
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Boy, he can’t even answer his own questions! His lawyer has to whisper every answer in his ear. That’s very suspicious.
Comment by bmrnp Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Rod probably hasn’t read it either.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Fritch.. Stop defending Roland, let him do it…
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
I can’t get on!!!!!!!!
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
What’s Fritchey’s problem? Sheesh
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
Nice going Fritchey!
What does all this have to do with Rod?
Burris is not on trial.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
The guy behind Currie is picking his nose! For God’s sake Man - get a puffs!!!!
Comment by Toni H. Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:17 pm
What’s Fritchy got to hide? He seems rather nervous today
Comment by WCIL Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:18 pm
Why is Fritchey attempting to shield Burris? This is making the Democrats look even worse.
Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:18 pm
Also nice job trying to avoid mentioning the name of the attorney.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:20 pm
C-SPAN has the hearing on cable. Comcast cable 21 for the central Illinois. Check your cable access if available.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:20 pm
Lawyer Sam might as well add that ’s’ to his last name. Nobody gets it right.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:21 pm
It is making the Democrats look fair, Wally.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:21 pm
Burris’ lawyers are from his own firm (Gonzalez, et al.). According to its website, Tim Wright III used to be Bobby Rush’s chief of staff, and Burris himself is “senior counsel” with the firm. One would think that Burris can answer his own questions without assistance.
Comment by Roy Cone Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:22 pm
HOLD THE BUS! The Governor’s defense attorney, Sam Adam Jr. is offering the senate vacancy to Burris?????
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:22 pm
The questions aren’t unfair. Possibly unnecessary, but not unfair.
Comment by Lurker Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:23 pm
===offering the senate vacancy to Burris?===
Um, yeah. Where’ve you been?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:24 pm
He’s Chancey Gardner?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:25 pm
Wow, Roland must have been one heck of a lobbyist. He can’t remember his clients.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:29 pm
“HOLD THE BUS! The Governor’s defense attorney, Sam Adam Jr. is offering the senate vacancy to Burris?????”
WAIT A MINUTE! The Governor has been arrested????
Comment by Macoupin County Kid Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:29 pm
Rich,
===Um, yeah. Where’ve you been?===
Mostly answering irate phone calls. Sorry.
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:29 pm
C-SPAN also has the hearing online. Go to their website c-span.org and then click on the link for live radio/TV. The first c-span channel has the hearing.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:30 pm
Spare us the cheap prosecutor tricks. Why ask Burris to testify to the public record? OK, Roland, off the top of your head, rattle off all of your clients since 2002.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:30 pm
Is Durkin auditioning for AG?
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:32 pm
You would think Burris would be better prepared for some of these questions…he must’ve spent most of his time the past couple of days buying office furniture.
Comment by Porcupine Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:32 pm
Roland shouldn’t have brought his lawyer along. It just looks bad. Not that the lawyer is doing anything wrong, but that voters should expect Burris to be able to present himself in a more open manner.
So far, the Committee is doing exactly what I thought it would do. It is asking questions that shouldn’t have to be asked. With each question, and with each passing minute, and with each Burris response, Burris is getting soiled, regardless.
Every time his lawyer pipes in, Burris loses credibility.
Burris didn’t get elected, but we are seeing him as a candidate. Candidates don’t present themselves as though they are at a trial.
Not good.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:34 pm
I didn’t leave my buddies lying face down in the mud in Viet Nam to be called ‘Wally’ William.
Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:34 pm
Is Durkin trying to establish Burris as a stalking horse for Rod in 2002?
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:36 pm
Sorry Wally. You should have gone to Canada.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:36 pm
Not liking Durkin’s questions!
Comment by Levois Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Ms. Chairwoman Currie, do you now or have you ever had a contract with Perry Mason and if not, why not?
Comment by A Citizen Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:37 pm
When Burris stalls, he reminds me of those pro bowlers just before they throw that 9th frame.
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:37 pm
Wow. Roland seems even more clueless than I imagined.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:38 pm
Any momentum the Repubs hope to keep in this ordeal is fading fast. Why is Burris here? This is futile. This is about Burris’ ego. Move on to the impeachment vote tomorrow. This seems to be a useless sideshow.
Comment by BandCamp Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:39 pm
I think Mr. Burris should refrain from the term “nobody’s business”
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:40 pm
Durkin is not concerned with the here and now, he is beating up Burris for re-election. The impeachment panel has become a joke.
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:40 pm
Ask him about that mausoleum, where’d he get it, how much.
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:40 pm
Windy City, you bet. This is good stuff.
Lou, I think you understand.
Bill, Walter’s channeling the Big Lebowski, dude. And The Dude Abides.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:41 pm
wndycty - that is exactly the claim
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:41 pm
Durkin and the Republicans are smart (politically) to get Burris on as many different topics as Currie will allow. No other time do “senators” have to go under oath for a political grilling. I agree with Lang, some of these questions aren’t relevant but they sure will come back to haunt “senator” burris. Won’t be necessary though, GOP, he won’t survive the Democratic primary.
Comment by carbon deforestation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:41 pm
Lou’s right. The purpose of this whole line of questioning is to make Roland look bad. It is not working. So what if it “ironic”?
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:41 pm
This is an amazing show.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:42 pm
Durkin’s questions are not surprising. His line of questioning may be uncomfortable, but Burris opened himself up to these questions by accepting a corrupted governor’s appointment.
These men were allies politically, and they are allies today in a very public way. For the Democrats to complain doesn’t help Burris.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:43 pm
Roland just alluded to the fact the if he were AG when this happened to the Governor…..would he have read the complaint then?
Comment by Former State Employee 2 Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Durkin is the one who is looking bad.
Comment by Deep South Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:48 pm
Is this circus about impeaching Rod or just tarnishing Burris.
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:50 pm
So many hypotheticals. Ridiculous.
Anyway, I thought the Republicans liked Roland Burris. Why so much hostility?
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:50 pm
Durkin just made a fool out of himself.
That’s more like it, Mary! SENATOR Burris.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:51 pm
OOHHH Rep. Flowers….OMG. Save it.
Comment by BandCamp Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:52 pm
Rep. Flowers, a question please.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:52 pm
Political, yes…He got the senate seat. Personal, yes…It’s being etched in his tombstone.
Comment by Mo Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:53 pm
Rep. Flowers did an excellent job.
But we’re not through.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:56 pm
The show is about to start isn’t it?
Comment by Levois Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:58 pm
Black is such a blowhard. What does releasing the report have to do with Burris?
Go back to sleep!
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:58 pm
Now will everyone on the panel get their two minutes of face time on the show?
OOh, Rep. Black is getting testy!
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:58 pm
Frtchey’s being WAY TOO defensive.
Comment by Little Egypt Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:01 pm
Bill, despite Harry Reid’s best efforts it is not “SENATOR Burris” just yet -”Political Opportunist Burris” definitely.
Comment by Bakersfield Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:02 pm
Mr. Adams sits at the table with Gensen, but he is NOT Blago’s defense attorney?
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:03 pm
From the Trib,
Lawyers for Gov. Rod Blagojevich have filed a sealed motion to remove U.S. Atty. Patrick From Fitzgerald and his assistants from prosecution of the case against the governor, a federal judge disclosed today.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:04 pm
So Adams is not a lawyer for the Gov’s defense even though he has sat a the defense table throughout the meetings
Comment by WCIL Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:04 pm
The GOP sees today’s proceedings as an opportunity to set the table 2010. The issue at hand (Rod’s impeachment) is not relevant and is the furthest from their minds.
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:05 pm
It seems to me that the GOP members, fed up with their insignificant role as a minority party in the GA, are trying to turn this impeachment hearing into a witch hunt for things having zero bearing on how Mr. Burris came about being named to the vacant US Senate seat. They need to get on with it already! They have what they need to make the vote and kick it on down the street! We as a state can ill afford this BS gamesmenship by the GOP and I hope they don’t pull this stunt on the House floor; this state will be broke in the next 30 to 60 days and we have a lot of actual important work ahead!
Comment by Barny's Burger Barn Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:06 pm
“We as a state can ill afford this BS gamesmenship by the GOP and I hope they don’t pull this stunt on the House floor; this state will be broke in the next 30 to 60 days and we have a lot of actual important work ahead!”
So let’s blame the minority….lol….
Comment by Macoupin County Kid Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:09 pm
Hair today, that’s posted in another thread. Quite a while ago, in fact. Check the blog before posting stuff, please. Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:09 pm
Oh come on Barny- like this hearing is actually going to delay the impeachment one day, one minute.
Burris needed to testify and to face questions about how he and Blago’s symbiotic relationship.
Comment by Bakersfield Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:10 pm
Off topic: Why have we been lead to believe Sam Adam Jr. is part of the criminal defense team? If he’s not, what is he?
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:11 pm
The Republicans on the committee are demonstrating why the House GOP keeps becoming a smaller minority.
Bill Black fell off the anger management wagon again, and Jim Durkin may or may not have a mental retardation.
Why is Burris even sitting for this witch hunt?
Comment by God help us Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:11 pm
Burris is making the repubs look petty, vindictive, and rude. He is a master showman.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:12 pm
You know what, most of you are right, this is the fault of the GOP. All of it. Everything that has happened since the 2nd Tuesday in December is George Ryan’s fault.
Glad I am now on your side.
Comment by Bakersfield Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:15 pm
December 16 was his press conference
Comment by Just My Opinion Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:15 pm
Fritchey has lost my vote for the 5th CD.
Comment by I knew it before term one Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:17 pm
Have you seen the polls people? If you have, then you would better understand that when the GOP asks questions to Burris, the party is asking questions the vast majority of Illinoians are also asking.
Open your eyes!
The GOP is not misstepping by being cynical.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:19 pm
Thousands of people were involved in this?
Can Roland Burris be worthy of THAT much praise?
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:19 pm
No one better qualified? of course he’s the “Magic Man”… How about letting the people of this great State have a say if Mr. Burris is the most qualified.
Comment by Southern Illinois Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:19 pm
You all will have a say when Senator Burris runs for re-election in 2010.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:22 pm
I think Rod shouldn’t have made the appointment, but its legal and no matter how hard the committee tries to beat up Burris there is absolutely nothing they can do to stop Burris. It has to be killing them.
Comment by wndycty Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:22 pm
“How about letting the people of this great State have a say if Mr. Burris is the most qualified.”
Ain’t gonna happen….
Comment by Macoupin County Kid Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:22 pm
===Why is Burris even sitting for this witch hunt?===
Because it is a requirement Harry Reid set for his seating as a US senator.
Also, how can anyone be surprised that any politicans–Republican or Democrat–would use this circus to their own advantage? It’s what they do.
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:22 pm
What question remains unasked? What more do we need from this witness.
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:26 pm
I bet their are about 200 staffers, reporters and politicos firing their engines to look into that 1.2 million dollar loan-which I’m sure stinks to high heaven. Noone and I mean noone is dumb enough to give Burris 1.2 mil for nothing and then forget about it.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:26 pm
The 17th amendment to the constitution came about due to corruption in Illinois Government during the election of Senator Lorimer in 1909. The 17th amendment allows for the appointment of a US Senator by a sitting Governor. Like it or not, corrupt or not, Blago is still sitting as of 4:25 PM today. Google: Lorimer & the 17th amendment.
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:26 pm
Hey, Fritchey now has to suck up to the African-American population in the 5th! But yeah, as a Republican who will be crossing over to vote in the primary I will be leaning away from him after today.
Comment by Bakersfield Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:27 pm
It breaks my heart that these guys can’t ask a clear question. Chapin should have said, “A prosecutor has to not only have an opinion before filing a case, he must also have evidence in support of the case, or he can be sanctioned for just throwing stuff at the feet of the court. He has to substantiate his filings. You said you supported AG Madigan’s motion and you said you would have filed the same motion to have him disqualified to serve. What would you have put forth in your motion to support your request to have the court remove him from office?”
Comment by I knew it before term one Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:28 pm
Burris apologists need to understand that he’s brought all this on himself by accepting the Senate appointment from Blago. If he was not prepared for this then he’s either ignorant or naive beyond the pale.
Comment by RobRoy Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:29 pm
I’m late to the testimony and might have missed it but, has anyone bothered to ask him why he accepted an appointment to USS from a governor whom Burris said should resign a few weeks earlier???
Comment by Animous Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:30 pm
Good Lord, what a waste of time that was. Off to washington for Burris. Hopefully I never have to see his face again.
Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:31 pm
===If he was not prepared for this then he’s either ignorant or naive beyond the pale.===
Who said he wasn’t prepared for it?
Comment by Fan of the Game Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:34 pm
I see Steve Brown is acting as one of Burris’s aides for the afternoon.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:35 pm
Excellent job, SENATOR Burris! I’m proud to have you as my US Senator.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:36 pm
When did Steve Brown become Sgt at Arms of the committee? Maybe just being nice but he looked like one of Roland’s handlers leading him out of the committee room.
Comment by Odd Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:37 pm
Bill’s world view, already limited by how far he has stuck his head up our soon to be impeached Governor’s colon, would be much improved, if after the impeachment, coming back to reality, he watches ‘The Big Lebowski.’ You have no frame of reference here, Bill, you’re like a child who has wandered into the middle of a movie and wants to know what it’s about…
Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:37 pm
Rich,
Are you still at the hearing?
Comment by Say WHAT? Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:39 pm
As a downstater, I’m much more confident in Roland Burris’s abilities to represent the entire state than say Jesse Jackson, Jr., or Danny Davis. I hope I don’t regret saying that.
Comment by Cheswick Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:43 pm
I know exactly what it is all about Wally.
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:43 pm