http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090215/ap_on_re_us/burris_blagojevich_donat
ion

Illinois GOP leader calls on Sen. Burris to resign

By RUPA SHENOY, Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO – Just as Illinois was moving past the agony and embarrassment 
of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's ousting, the fellow Democrat whom 
Blagojevich appointed to the U.S. Senate was hearing calls for his own 
resignation Sunday amid allegations he lied to legislators.

Freshman Sen. Roland Burris released an affidavit on Saturday that 
contradicts his statements last month to a House committee investigating 
Blagojevich's impeachment.

"I can't believe anything that comes out of Mr. Burris at this point," 
Rep. Jim Durkin, the impeachment committee's ranking Republican, said at 
a news conference Sunday. "I think it would be in the best interest of 
the state if he resigned because I don't think the state can stand this 
anymore."

But an adamant and sometimes emotional Burris told reporters in Chicago 
later Sunday that he hadn't done anything wrong and never misled anyone.

"I've always conducted myself with honor and integrity," he said.
"At no 
time did I ever make any inconsistent statement."

Gov. Pat Quinn, who advanced to the governor's mansion after Blagojevich 
was ousted over corruption allegations last month, also called on Burris 
to explain the contradiction.

"My opinion is that he owes the people of Illinois a complete 
explanation," Quinn said, according to spokesman Bob Reed.

Durkin and House Republican Leader Tom Cross also want an investigation 
of Burris for possible perjury.

It's not clear what action state legislators could now take against 
Burris, said Dawn Clark Netsch, a Northwestern University law professor 
and former Illinois Comptroller.

"I'm not aware that anything quite like this has happened in any state 
before," she said.

Based on federal law, the state Senate could argue that Burris was a 
temporary appointment, then pass a bill calling for a special election 
to name a permanent senator, Netsch said.

But Quinn's hands may be tied.

"I don't see anything that the current governor could do, except to ask 
for legislation to ask for a special election," Netsch said.

Saturday's disclosure by Burris reflects a major omission from his 
testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee 
specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other 
aides to the now-deposed governor about the seat vacated by President 
Barack Obama.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Saturday he was reviewing 
the disclosure, the latest twist for Democrats who only consented to 
seat Burris on the belief that there was no chance of "pay for play" 
politics surrounding his appointment.

But Burris explained Sunday that he voluntarily gave the committee a 
Feb. 4 affidavit disclosing the contact with Robert Blagojevich because 
questioning during his January testimony abruptly changed course and he 
never got a chance to answer a direct question about Blagojevich's 
brother.

The affidavit, released Saturday by Burris' office after it was first 
reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, said Robert Blagojevich called him 
three times — once in October and twice after the November election — to 
seek his fundraising assistance.

Robert Blagojevich's attorney has said his client believes one of the 
conversations was recorded by the FBI. 

Burris said Saturday he told Robert Blagojevich he would not raise money 
because it would look like he was trying to win favor from the governor 
for his appointment. But he said he did ask the governor's brother "what 
was going on with the selection of a successor" to Obama in the Senate 
and "he said he had heard my name mentioned in the discussions." 

On Sunday, Burris added: "I did not donate one single dollar nor did I 
raise any money or promise favors of any kind to the governor."

CMPQwk 1.42-21 9999 
Democrats --  The party responsible for the housing meltdown ....


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