There's no love lost between myself and one Ronald Burris. Now, the transcript (.pdf) of a seven-minute phone call between Burris and Governor Blagojevich's brother (the Governor's chief fundraiser) has been released to the Senate Ethics Committee. Some revealing quotes:
Burris: I, I know you're calling to telling me that you're gonna make me king of the world, and uh...
...
Blagojevich: We've had a number of conversations about, you know, anything you might be able to do; you and Fred might be able to do here before the end of the year for Rod. Again, we're trying to get as much as we can in his war chest, ah, so that when he has to, you know disclose in January.
...
Burris: Yeah. Right, right and, and now how do, answer me this question because I'm very much interested in, in trying to replace Obama, okay.
...
Burris: So let, it is and so if I put on a fundraiser now...
Blagojevich: Mm hm.
Burris: ...and, I, you know I, I think it would have something...this is what I've been talking to Fred about it, it has so many negative connotations that Burris is trying to buy and appointment...
...
Burris: I'm trying to figure out how in the hell and since you called me I will be honest with you.
...
Burris: I know I could give him a check.
Blagojevich: Yeah.
Burris: Myself.
Blagojevich: Yeah.
Burris: And, and my law partner we were gonna try to do something at the law firm. I might be able to do this in the name of Tim Wright.
Blagojevich: Mm hm.
Burris: Okay, 'cause Tim is not looking for an appointment, okay.
Blagojevich: Okay.
I don't think this transcript leaves any doubt that Ronald Burris was going to 'Pay-To-Play' and it wasn't beneath him to do anything to get appointed to that seat. While he didn't end up writing a check it's clear that he intended to do something and would have, had Governor Blagojevich not been indicted and kicked out of office.
I'd like to see Illinois Lawmakers and the United States Senate move to remove Burris from the Senate as expediently as possible. Further, I'll applaud any lawmaker who wants Burris' removal expedited.
Natch Greyes is a Democrat running for Senate in 2020. His campaign platform may be found at natchgreyes.com and his blog may be read here
1 comments:
I'm no Burros apologist but I am from Chicago. That conversation, while corrupt anywhere north of Louisiana, is as tame as possible in the Windy City.
Every politician deals in quid pro quo. I direct your attention to Secretary of State Clinton. Illinois failed by not holding a special election immediately after Obama won. It's not like they didn't have two years to prepare.
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