It is over for Roland Burris!! (Video)

The man needs to STAY AWAY FROM THE CAMERAS!!



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Roland Burris "BEGGED" for Obama's seat....

and promised to do something for then Governor Blagojevich to get it.

Uh-Oh!!!! Burris tapes are out!!!

Transcripts from a call taped by the FBI show Sen. Roland Burris pleaded to be appointed to the U.S. Senate and promised to "personally do something" in response to a fundraising appeal on behalf of then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The promise came in a phone conversation with Blagojevich's brother, Robert Blagojevich, who led the campaign fund. Burris repeatedly says how much he wants to be appointed to President Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

In response to an appeal for money from the governor's brother Burris says: "I will personally do something."

The transcript was released Tuesday as part of a motion by the U.S. attorney's office. The U.S. Senate ethics committee is investigating how Burris got his seat.

Burris has been under intense scrutiny since he was appointed by the now-ousted governor at the end of December, and for changing his story multiple times about whether he promised anything in exchange for it. The ethics committee began a preliminary investigation into how Burris got his job, and the Sangamon County State's Attorney was asked to determine whether perjury charges were warranted.

And the senate is airing his dirty laundry, the well hidden dirty laundry.

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Burris wiretaps with Blago's brother to be released

Depending what is on the tape, it could be damaging for Burris. As we know, Burris came into this seat under a cloud of scrutiny by being selected by the now kicked out of office former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

My take, the tapes are damaging and will only put the final nail in Burris' coffin not to even think about running for Obama's seat in 2010.

A federal judge said Tuesday he would allow the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee to have a federal wiretap of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother having a phone conversation with U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.

The conversation between Burris and the former governor's brother occurred while Blagojevich was still governor and before he named Burris to President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

Burris has been under intense scrutiny because of the circumstances of his appointment by the disgraced former governor and for changing his story multiple times about whether he promised anything in exchange for the appointment.

The Senate Ethics Committee has begun a preliminary investigation. The Sangamon County State's Attorney is determining whether perjury charges are warranted.

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Blago is a hot mess, for real, listen to this video from Countdown (Video)

Indictment

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Blago Indicted, that is former Governor Rod Blagojevich

Blago was corrupt, he is going down, but who is he taking down with him is my burning question.....

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother Rob and Christopher Kelly, a former top fundraiser for Blagojevich, were all indicted today on corruption charges, the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago announced.

Also charged in the indictment were Lon Monk, a lobbyist and former Blagojevich chief of staff; John Harris, also a former chief of staff to Blagojevich; and William Cellini, a Springfield insider for decades.

The indictment comes four months after Blagojevich was arrested and charged with engaging in pay-to-play politics in a sweeping federal complaint that accused him of trading state jobs, contracts and regulatory favors for campaign contributions.

The criminal complaint charged Blagojevich with attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama and seeking the firing of Tribune editorial writers in return for state help on the sale of Wrigley Field. The ballpark and newspaper are owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich's brother, Rob, took over as head of the governor's campaign fund last August, just two months before federal authorities won court authorization to wiretap the then-governor's home phone and campaign office.

Monk was also caught on the recordings.

This marks the third time Kelly has been charged by federal authorities but the first time for alleged wrongdoing with the former governor. In January the wealthy roofing contractor pleaded guilty to tax fraud for concealing his use of corporate funds to cover gambling debts, but just weeks later, he was charged in connection with a kickback scheme at O'Hare International Airport.

Authorities have alleged that Harris tried to carry out the governor's plan to have Tribune editorial writers fired for critical editorials of Blagojevich.

Cellini was indicted last fall on charges he extorted a Hollywood producer to make a Blagojevich campaign donation.

Read the indictment here

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Blago got a book deal

The two most interesting characters that have popped up lately is yes, former Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) and Harry Markopolos, the whistle blower on Madoff and the SEC to an extent.

Both of these individuals are opposite of the spectrum, but are just a fascinating read. Blago has one of the most naughty, delicious, viagra mouths out there. Harry Markopolos have not been shy on blasting the SEC and Bernie Madoff.

So, it is not a surprise that Blago gets a book deal. In all reality, he needs it because he needs the money. What he is going to talk about is another issue because it can't be much since his indictment by Fitzy is inevitable, SOON. So he gets a six figure deal to write about the seedy side of politics. Well, he should know, he is as seedy as they come.

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich announced a "six figure" book deal with Phoenix Books this afternoon. It will be published in October.

As GalleyCat reported, the deal comes after weeks of speculation among publishing folks. Phoenix Books, publisher of books by rock star Gene Simmons and television host Larry King, is run by publisher Michael Viner. Agent Jarred Weisfeld brokered the deal.

Here's more from Glenn Selig, the former governor's publicist: "The governor chose to go with a large independent company because he wanted to tell his story without any restrictions over content that might've come with a major publishing house ... He simply did not want to accept constraints or conditions on what he could say in this book."

Since I live in the Chicago area and fully aware of Blago and his dealings, I will sincerely PASS on purchasing any Blago book. He is not going to write anything new, different that we don't know.

As for Harry? I am not waiting for a book deal, but the MOVIE DEAL and I hope Howard, Demme, Scorsese or Speilberg is knocking on his door now as I type. His story is just that compelling.

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It has been one for Senator Roland Burris

Burris has withheld information about fundraising for former embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich. He has changed his story quite a bit, but now we know that he DID seek to raise funds for the former governor at the request of his brother, while seeking Obama's senate seat.

I stood up for Burris getting this senate seat, not because I believe he could win in 2010, I stated that I believed he could not, but because the process was legally right. Though many of us did not like Blagojevich picking a senator, it was his right at the time to do so, since he was not indicted nor convicted of anything. It stunk of high heaven, but the law is the law and the senate in D.C. had to deal with it.

Now this. What Blagojevich did was criminal for the Democratic Party and State of Illinois, but what Burris did to get this seat is equally as bad. Burris stated that he did not participate in no 'quid pro quo' but now he has revised his statement several times since this story broke Saturday. Should an ethic investigation commence? At this point, who cares? The damage is done. One thing we hoped that Burris was bringing to getting seated as the junior senator was closure of this mess, but more importantly his name and credibility being clean. It is not.

The race for President Obama's seat is wide open. And will the Republican candidate win? Who knows, but for a once safe seat for Democrats has gone to a tossup with a bunch of hotmess attached all over it.

Burris heads for Ethics Committee, damn it did not take Harry Reid long AT ALL.

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Senator Roland Burris' Trainwreck Presser (Video)

Continuous swirling of this seat. An affidavit was leaked over the weekend that Burris was asked for a campaign fundraiser for former Governor Rod Blagojevich by his brother. Now the Republicans wants Burris to resign or investigation to perjury.

Again, this seat is up for grabs in 2010, no matter who was appointed to it.

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Roland Burris may be done.

Everyone watched the absolute moxie of former Governor Rod Blagojevich as he named Roland Burris to assume Barack Obama's senate seat. Through all of this Burris stated he did not get this seat for favors, but oh-no it seems a document revealed that Blagojevich's brother did ask Burris for campaign fundraising before Burris was named the junior senator of Illinois.

This puts Burris in a not favorable place. Burris stated that no favors were exchanged before the Illinois impeachment committee, but this disclosure may look contradictory.

I am one who would not vote for Burris in the primary in 2010, for one age is a factor for me, as Burris is 71 years old. Burris is contemplating running in 2010, which is fine, but I think it will be a large haul. Since this seat is riddled with controversy, this disclosure does not help Burris.

I still state, legally what we knew then, Burris should have been seated but retaining his seat in 2010 is going to be very difficult.

Raising fresh questions about his appointment to Congress, Sen. Roland Burris admitted in a document released Saturday that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for campaign fundraising help before the governor named Burris as Illinois' junior senator.

The disclosure reflects a major omission from Burris' 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 Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. read more here

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Blago on David Letterman, "Why are you here?" (Video and Transcript)

Transcript

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Thank GOD, Governor Rod Blagojevich or Blago is gone....

See, I live in Illinois and in the end it is words like the ones below, that makes me sigh in relief that this scab has been removed.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has been removed from his office as Governor of Illinois. Abraham Lincoln is sighing in relief.

Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn was sworn in as the 41st Governor of Illinois.

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The Blago Media Show Begins.....Good Morning America.....And Oprah for the Senate? (UPDATE) (Video)

Man oh man, this was political viagra, IL Governor Rod Blagojevich......he was on the Today Show (clip here), will be on The View (today) with his wife, Patti, and on Larry King tonight.....

Illinois Senate Response to Blago

[UPDATE]

Oprah Winfrey's response to Rod Blagojevich's statement on considering her for the "then" vacant Barack Obama senate seat.

Oprah Winfrey said she was surprised to learn Wednesday from her best friend Gayle King that Governor Blagojevich was considering her for Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Blagojevich confirmed on Good Morning America that he was considering Winfrey. She said she was meditating when she got the news.

"If I had been watching from the treadmill I probably would have fallen off the treadmill," Winfrey told King on King' Sirius satellite radio program.

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The Blago Show Continues, "They're just hangin' me" (Video)

The impeachment trial begins Monday, so the governor is not going to show up and will continue a media blitz that this process is a sham.

And Blago's attorney the known Ed Genson is resigning from Blago's criminal case

Hours after he portrayed himself as a victim of vengeful lawmakers, his lead attorney said Friday that he planned to resign from the impeached governor's criminal case.

"I have practiced law for 44 years. I never require a client to do what I say, but I do require clients to listen to what I say," Ed Genson told reporters. "I intend to withdraw as counsel in this case."

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Damn, Blago's Balls (Video)

Hell, ready to laugh??? One thing we can not dispute, Blago has more balls than the whole US Senate. for real.


h/t Andrew Sullivan

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Roland Burris will be sworn in by the end of the week

It is being reported, now confirmed by Durbin and Reid that the Senate will accept Burris' credentials and this damn saga is OVER.

The Roland Burris saga is over, as Democratic Senate leaders have accepted his credentials and will swear him in as the junior senator from Illinois by the end of this week.

The decision ends an embarrassing chapter in Democratic politics and allows the Senate to move on after the Burris spectacle dominated the opening week of the 111th Congress.

In a statement issued after a 45-minute meeting between Senate officials and Burris’ lawyers, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Burris is now the senator-designate from Illinois after the secretary of the Senate approved his latest credentials.

“The secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat,” the statement said. “In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment.”

“We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a senator-elect.

“Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the vice president to determine the date and time of the swearing-in,” the statement said.

I mean, really, the senate could not have this DRAGGED OUT during the Inaugural Celebrations around D.C.

Finally, this has been a pr NIGHTMARE for Harry Reid and Dick Durbin. Again, seating Burris takes this media spectacle OFF the table and relegates Blago's mess more locally than nationally.

It is about time someone in D.C. put on their "smart hats", for real.

Sun-Times

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SNL (Saturday Night Live), going after Blago and Burris (Video)

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Blago, Burris, White, Illinois, the US Senate it is all summed up here

Kagro X at Daily Kos, sums it up totally and here it is.

Blagojevich gets arrested.

The Senate leadership warns him not to appoint anyone to Obama's seat, and if he does, they won't swear him in, no matter who it is.

Blagojevich appoints Burris, anyway.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White refuses to sign Burris' certificate of appointment.

Harry Reid and Dick Dubrin say no way, and he's definitely not getting in without a signed certificate.

Burris sues to force White to sign.

The Illinois Supreme Court says White doesn't have to sign...

...but even if he doesn't, Burris' appointment is still legal, valid and binding under state law.

Dick Durbin still says no way. The certificate's not signed, and that's that.

So now, Jesse White says he'll sign -- at least something certifying that the Governor's document is official, if not the actual same document -- even though he doesn't have to and it isn't necessary.

This looks like absolute shit for everybody involved, with the possible exception of Roland Burris and Rod Blagojevich, which is astounding.

Politico agrees. But then Politico will agree with any "Dems in disarray" story.

Jesse White's certification

This sums up the saga in Illinois. Durbin and Reid need to get off their high horses and end this circus travesty. The law, as I have been writing, is on the side of Roland Burris, whether we like it or not.

Seat him and get this off the media table.

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Dick Durbin, Bad Move Not to Seat Burris

The IL Supreme Court came down with its decision, "no signature required by the Secretary of State to seat Burris."

Now this is all about being mad at Blago and the predicament Blago played Durbin and Reid. And Blago did. He out foxed, out politicked them all in D.C., but it does not change the law.

Durbin can play hard ball all he wants, but expect more lawsuits from Burris, probably all the way to the Supreme Court. Let the court tell the U.S. Senate what they KNOW they should do, but refuse to.

And racism? How do we know? I mean, this is still the lily white, old boys network. Well, the majority of them and very few persons of color in those chambers. Is Burris a good pick? Yes, as far as no scandal, but for 2010 to run, no. Does the senate really want to continue the high drama circus? Is it worth it in the end? One word, NO. Seat Burris and Illinois find another candidate to run in 2010.

Dick Durbin just made a very bold announcement, in the wake of the Illinois Supreme Court decision that Roland Burris does not need the Secretary of State's signature on his certificate: As far as the Senate is concerned, Burris still needs that signature for his appointment to be legal and valid, and the seat will just have to stay vacant.

"At this point we've clearly reached an impasse," Durbin told reporters in Chicago.

Most legal scholars at this point believe the Burris appointment to be legal, and that an attempt to keep Burris out can be successfully challenged in court. But it's become obvious by now what Durbin's and the whole Democratic leadership's strategy is: Keep stalling on this thing long enough for Rod Blagojevich to be kicked out of office.

TPM

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Blago's Crazy Press Conference (Video)

Governor Rod Blagojevich, ".....I won't be that long....

He talked about what HE has accomplished as governor and at the end, rambled on continuously and "I am not surprised at this." Meaning, impeachment.

The circus drama continues....

MSNBC

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Illinois House Votes to Impeach Blago

Blago having a press conference at 2 PM (CST).

Not surprised here. Now the House throws it to the Senate in Illinois. The Senate has to have a trial to get rid of Blago. After seeing Blago's moxie, expect this to be the battle to the END.

Driven by anger and politics, the Illinois House has voted to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The unprecedented action sets the stage for a Senate trial on whether he should be thrown out of office for corruption and abuse of power.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie says Blagojevich has "forfeited his right to hold office." She noted that he hasn't given the people of Illinois an explanation for the criminal charges filed against him by federal prosecutors.

And Republican leader Tom Cross called the Blagojevich scandal "an embarrassment" that has made Illinois a national laughingstock.

He says lawmakers should be angry over what Blagojevich has done to state government.

now that the state house has voted for impeachment, Blagojevich faces a trial in the state Senate. If convicted there, he would be removed from office.

Impeachment required just 60 votes. The final result was 114-1.

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