Burris Out?
When he was appointed to the Senate by Illinois' embattled governor, Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) vowed that nothing untorrid had prompted his selection. No pay-to-play. He was a public servant engulfed in a bad situation, he said, but eager to serve.
Eager, yes, but it seems Burris wasn't quite so forthcoming about his efforts to secure the appointment.
Burris, picked by now former Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the assume the seat vacated by Barack Obama, apparently attempted to raise money for the governor in the months before he was tapped for the job. Blagojevich's brother reached out to Burris with the cash request.
The Chicago Tribune and Washington Post today are calling for Burris, whose appointment was vigorously challenged by Senate Democratic leaders, to resign.
The Washington Post writes that Burris's story "has more twists than the Chicago El."
This latest revelation makes a mockery of his professions of no quid pro quo. It is a violation of the public trust. The people of Illinois have suffered enough. Mr. Burris should resign.
Here's the Trib:
Remember that Illinois Democrats failed to do right by the people and schedule a special election for this Senate vacancy. If they had done that, voters today might be weighing the lost credibility of candidate Burris, instead of expressing their disgust with Sen. Burris.Disgraceful. Disgraceful all around.
There's only one honorable action for Burris: resign.
Reports out this week indicate that the Senate Ethics Committee has launched an investigation.
The committee does not confirm when such an investigation is underway, but here's what I've learned about how the committee handles this type of situation:
-- A preliminary inquiry into a member can be launched if substantial credible evidence showing potential wrongdoing is raised by a citizen, the media or another member.
-- The senator is then contacted by the committee, chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), with a request for additional information. The committee asks for a member's voluntary cooperation but has subpoena authority, which can be used to force a deposition.
-- A preliminary investigation can take as long as needed.
-- The committee then determines if the question should be dismissed, a reprimand should be issued or if an adjudicatory hearing is required.
The last time the committee recommended expulsion? 1995. The committee voted unanimously that Sen. Bob Packwood (R-OR) should be expelled for sexual misconduct, among other behavior. Packwood resigned before the full Senate could vote on the matter.
And who before Packwood? Sen. Harrison Williams (D-NJ) was indicted on October 30, 1980, on nine counts, including bribery, receipt of an unlawful gratuity, conflict of interest and conspiracy to defraud the United States. He was one of the members targeted by the FBI's ABSCAM investigation, the code name for the FBI's probe of public corruption and organized crime. Williams resigned in 1982 before the full Senate could act.
What will the committee do in the Burris situation? Will his fellow Democrats join the papers in calling for Burris' resignation? Will Burris aim to hold on to his seat? And if he does, it seems that he'll have no choice but not to run in 2010.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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