DISQUS

VanillaMan · 11 months ago

Once again, Burris' posse can be seen at a time when Roland Burris has to present himself to Illinoians in this capacity. Not only is his lawyer getting too much air time, but the guy sitting behind Burris is appearing as a "yes" man, nodding, smugly smiling, and being too obvious in support for Burris.

These people are stepping over Burris and making him look like man unlike the people he claims he wishes to represent.

Roland Burris is coming off as an old man dwarfed by people we don't know who are supplying the answers.

But although Burris comes off unfavorably, there is not enough there to get Reid, Obama and Durbin off the hook. Although he is definately a weaker appointee than before, Burris has not been weakened enough for the National Democrats to pull the switch on him.

omg · 11 months ago

what did rep. davis say? what agencies?

VanillaMan · 11 months ago

The Democrats lose with this "win", and the GOP wins with this "loss".

Bill · 11 months ago

VanMan,
What a warped view. Burris answered every question truthfully and to the best of his ability to recollect. He looked, well, senatorial. The republicans were making speeches not asking real questions. If their goal was to make Burris look bad they failed miserably and looked quite inept doing it.
By the way can anybody shut this guy Black up?

Capitol View · 11 months ago

Sam Adam is a governor's outside counsel. The gov is entitled to appoint an attorney of his choosing for this hearing and for other administrative matters, as members of his own legal and administrative staff drift away as other employment becomes available. Do you expect him to request the assistance of the current AG?

And knowing that the governor's phone is bugged, why not have a lawyer make certain calls, just to prevent further "oops" situations that may look bad later.

These are not criminal proceedings. Adam is a general counsel, probably available until the governor resigns or the Senate removal from office trial is completed.

downhereforyears · 11 months ago

As I listened to the "Junior Senator " from Illinois in the impeachment hearing it suddenly occured to me how dumb this whole thing is. Give up on the hearings....impeach the dude....and lets get on with the business of the people. We have a 2.5 billion dollar whole that's growing every day....we have pension funds on the verge of collapse......and we haven't been paying the bills to nursing homes, docs and hospitals. Let Burris go....he'll self distruct in the US Senate

B · 11 months ago

Did I really hear Burris say it has always been his dream to be a Senator?

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===By the way can anybody shut this guy Black up?===

Nope.

ArchPundit · 11 months ago

The bit about his underwear in the first hearing did get him quiet for a few minutes.

Been There · 11 months ago

===Process debate on why the report was released this morning at 9. Rep. Currie said she was trying for transparency. ====

Let's see if this transparency trend is still around when they pass the budget next May.

fedup dem · 11 months ago

Do you think we will have President Obama tell Senator Burris (a few days after Pat Quinn is sworn in as Governor):

"Roland, this is a list of five small nations where I need to name an Ambassador. Do everyone a favor and pick the one you want me to send you to. Take all the time you need, as long as you give me the name of one of those nations in the next 60 seconds."

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===Did I really hear Burris say it has always been his dream to be a Senator? ===

Rep. Hamos said she had that conversation with Burris a few months ago.

Joe in the Know · 11 months ago

I think Durkin did a terrific job. I hope he does run for higher office!

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===I think Durkin did a terrific job. I hope he does run for higher office! ===

1) What did he reveal with his questions that we didn't already know?

2) Did Burris' answers to any of Durkin's questions hurt Burris' chances?

3) Durkin already ran for Senate against Durbin. He lost.

earnest · 11 months ago

resurrected from the last comments:
>I think Mr. Burris should refrain from the term “nobody’s business”

I think that's likely the Sun-Times banner tomorrow:

Making Out
LIKE "NOBODY'S
BUSINESS"
Burris grabs $1.2 million "loan" from connected Telecom exec

Nearly Normal · 11 months ago

Here begins a most historical event with the vote to impeach. Bill Black forgot to take his meds.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===Burris grabs $1.2 million “loan” from connected Telecom exec ===

I wrote about that days ago, but nobody picked it up.

Bill · 11 months ago

All in all it has been an up day, nothing but sunshine.

earnest · 11 months ago

I'm not sure that Quid met Quo today, but they were certainly in the same hearing room. This could actually be enough to convince the Senate to backtrack one more time.

"We don't want nobody nobody sent, until somebody tells us otherwise, except that somebody just washed his hands of it so we don't want him nohow."

Mo · 11 months ago

I hope the media further explores the IDOT allegations...hint, hint,

GOP'er · 11 months ago

Mike Bost said Blago should have been impeached in July 2007?

But yet Mike Bost voted "YES" for Blago on his huge gambling expansion in July of 2008?

Blago should be impeached, but here's $35 billion more for you anyway Rod from the new casinos we're giving you like you wanted.

The only problem with this impeachment is that we aren't impeaching ENOUGH of these goofs.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===I’m not sure that Quid met Quo today, but they were certainly in the same hearing room.===

Explain, please.

Mo · 11 months ago

I wonder if Blago is watching this.

anon · 11 months ago

GOP'er,

A lot of people like to gamble, get over it.

Nearly Normal · 11 months ago

Just vote, please. Taking more than two minutes per vote with their speeches.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

"Nearly Normal," they're legislators and they're entitled to explain their votes on a truly historic proposition.

Take a breath. You're acting like a child.

Been There · 11 months ago

I think Durkin's problem with trying to connect the dots with the "loan/contribution" is that while there are many people who have talked about it over the years (most with some self importance that they were in the know). But the problem is they don't have the guts to say so openly. Or maybe they were actually just repeating rumors and really didn't know (I would throw myself into that pile). Durkin was just fishing, hoping that Burris might screw up. He didn't. But at a minimum they have some clips to use for negative ads in the next election.

Aakash · 11 months ago

Thank you for live-blogging... I had planned to be there, in Room 114 of the State Capitol, to see this nationally-covered event in person. I was upset about not being able to do that, but I succeeded in finally getting my "Roland Burris file" (with archives of the media coverage of Mr. Burris' past controversies).

The Roland Burris file
(From the mainstream media memory hole...)

Bare-bones version (@ College Republicans blog)

Original version (@ my personal blog)

I really wish I was there right now (am still listening to the live feed online)... Thank you for your continuing coverage of this situation, in which the whole country is now focused on our state.

It will be interesting to see what happens next.

Sweet Polly Purebred · 11 months ago

Constance Howard just made an interesting comment regarding the fact that the majority of people in her district think that the gov "IS A SAINT" because of his HEALTHCARE expansion. FREE MONEY always seems to make the heart grow fonder and the memory of transgressions shorter. He** it worked for Gotti for an awful long time. Why not for a purported West side bookie turned gov?????

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Please, don't use CAPS in your comments. Thanks.

this voter will remember · 11 months ago

I don’t know why but I just can’t believe Burris is doing this for the voters of Illinois. I think his motives are selfish - he needs more ammo for his mausoleum.

Been There · 11 months ago

Aakash, the real historical vote will be tomorrow when the entire House votes on his impeachment. I expect a nail biter of a vote. Maybe a one vote margin. Be there then.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

BT, you should probably explain that you were just joking before you set off a flame war. lol

DuPage Dave · 11 months ago

How can a campaign fund be "closed out" with over a million dollars in unpaid debts?? Would the lender not have to sign something agreeing to closing the fund, even if it is not called "forgiving" the loan?? Seems odd to me....

Been There · 11 months ago

The one vote margin is whether its 118-0 or because somebody doesn't show up.

MikeintheSuburbs · 11 months ago

I think Lou Lang's speech is the best so far. I like the references to Nixon. I can't help but think there is some Force in the Universe at work here as Blago had his picture taken with Nixon and clearly looked up to him, and it looks like he will be impeached on Nixon's birthday because of his profanity laced tapes.

Did I mention that I was outside the White House at the moment that Nixon resigned? It was just luck, as I was picking my wife up from work at Lafayette Square and she was late getting out. I turned on my radio and a voice immediately came on announcing "Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States" followed by Nixon's resignation as I looked through the windshield of my car at the West Wing of the White House. He had been my boyhood hero too.

Amy · 11 months ago

Durkin's questioning of Burris was awesome. Listening on the radio, I found Burris to be foolish. The answers he gave regarding Blago's impeachment will come back to haunt him.
and his response to one question (from whom I cannot recall) telling the Rep. that the question was (oh something like) inappropriate or out of order sounded too slick. Durkin may not be a candidate for the future since he lost, but he showed his intelligence today and he did the damage the Republicans need. Burris is wounded.

Been There · 11 months ago

Dupage Dave. I agree with you. I think Roland's campaign is probably in violation. Either he moves that loan over to a contribution or it should still be open.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===I think Roland’s campaign is probably in violation.===

You think wrong. I checked with the State Board of Elections.

Anon · 11 months ago

Open comment to the Legislators..Thank you.

Amy · 11 months ago

Cubby fan takes a beating! thanks for the tune, and the work, Rich!

ArchPundit · 11 months ago

For those of us kind of rooting for some hardball today, the only person to look to was Durkin, but frankly--he didn't do a good job. He let the Lon Monk bit go after a few questions and even when Burris clarified later, it was still plenty odd.

If the Republicans think this was hardball, they are sadly mistaken. The Democrats let everyone down by simply deferring today and the Republicans couldn't even take the opportunity to do some real damage.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Amy, you're welcome.

Downers Delight · 11 months ago

Rich, I had a quick little laugh before I clicked the tune. Nice! One more day until phase 2 begins.

Inish Mein · 11 months ago

Rich- You just saved me the cost of a night on the town- the suspense, the drama, the comedy....new meaning to Chicago theater-
The political junkies of Illinois will forever be indebted......of course.. Our employees may not be................

How Ironic · 11 months ago

21-0 against the Gov. So it was an up day!

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

[golf clap]

Sweet Polly Purebred · 11 months ago

Rich - okey dokey - thanks. I do seem to suffer from a rather severe case of capitis. I apologize for my bad blog form.

ivoted4judy · 11 months ago

rich: great song, a little mean but great. now tell us how you top this when the senate kicks the [DELETED BY RICH] out? what song pray tell???

NIEVA · 11 months ago

If Mr.Burris goes to the senate for two years will he get a pension?

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

ivoted4judy, you'll just have to wait and see.

NIEVA, not if he's just there two years.

Barnum and Blago · 11 months ago

I'm guessing "Ding Dong the 'Vich is Dead"

Loop Lady · 11 months ago

Thanks to the committee, Rich, and my fellow CF bloggers...now on to the Senate trial...the train has left the station!! What a great day!!

Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer & · 11 months ago

Rich, thank you for your coverage and up to date news on this mess. Thank God they did the right thing now, House and Senate do your job!

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

Curious.. What is the salary for a junior senator looking at 2 years, tops?

RB said "he's got no money", so this might be a pricey (albeit short) venture? Can't be cheap to live in DC - even short term.

Rich, my apologies if this is off the thread topic.

I'm Just Saying · 11 months ago

Great Song at the end Rich :)

unclesam · 11 months ago

House has now filed impeachment resolution - HR 1671 - and the House Rules Committee just met and released it directly to the floor for consideration tomorrow.

Six Degrees of Separation · 11 months ago

21-0 against the Gov. So it was an up day!

Let's go for the Up Day Trifecta.

107-0 against GRT
21-0 to send impeachment to the full House
118-0 to send to state Senate for trial

scoot · 11 months ago

hahahaha....clickin the button sums it up baby!!I love it!!!

Sad · 11 months ago

Rich the nah nah nah song was in poor taste and I'm sure if I had posted it you would have deleted it. This is not a celebration.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

==This is not a celebration. ===

To you, maybe.

Bite me.

lol

scoot · 11 months ago

hahaha

Ms Port Belly Mushroom · 11 months ago

Did they remove Exhibit 70, Rich?

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Don't think it's been posted yet.

SpfldJimbo · 11 months ago

"Nice touch" with the ending song! Well played.
Where's Exhibit 70?

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

Exhibits 68 and 69 are online now. (69 is just the cover sheet and 1 page)

Cecil · 11 months ago

Mo - so do I. I haven't read Exhibit 70 yet as it is not posted. I know the upstanding fired IDOT employee who wrote the letter. She worked in the Civil Rights Office - how ironic. The big boss is from Carbondale and lives in Carbondale. He is another "traveler" that is in Springfield IDOT office 3 days a week. Taxpayers are charged costs for his travel, room, and perdiem. I always wondered how he could allow his honest former employee to be fired. What a shame.

Ms Port Belly Mushroom · 11 months ago

Thnks. Thought maybe someone's attorney got to Ellis!

32nd Ward Roscoe Village · 11 months ago

Why would Roland Burris admit to anything that would make him look bad? Like pay to play, his partner getting Patty her job? He clearly doesn't think it is wrong because that just business as usual in this state. What a waste of time. And I agree with some of the posters--I am leaning far away from Fritchey when I vote in the 5th!

Cheswick · 11 months ago

Don't kill me for saying this. But when Roland Burris said "Absolutely, positively not" in response to Rep. Flowers' quid pro quo question, I was reminded of when O.J. said "Absolutely, positively, 100 percent not guilty" at his pretrial.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===Why would Roland Burris admit to anything that would make him look bad?===

Because he was under oath, he'd have no choice. At some point, you gotta kinda drop the cynicism a bit.

Maggie · 11 months ago

Rich,
You can delete whatever you want. It's your site. But I find it very hypocritical that you would degrade the U.S. Senate and cover for the Il. House for basically doing the same thing. They have also backed off their opposition to the Blagojevich senate appointment. Where's the criticism ?

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

70 is up.

Little Egypt · 11 months ago

Bill, your schtick supporting Blago has gotten pretty old and worn out. With that said, even though you are a masterful button pusher, we have all tolerated your rantings and have even been amused by many of them.

However, to now begin the same old song and dance with Burris is really not necessary. I doubt that many of us put Burris in the same category as Blago. Burris has enjoyed a fine reputation as a politician with no scandal (at least none major that I can think of). Most of us believe Burris to be an honorable man and one who has definitely had higher political aspirations. Even at 71 years of age, he's not ready for political retirement. I don't blame him. If I were still in that good of physical and mental condition, I'd keep doing what I love to do as well.

I'm just saying Bill that you may not find as many buttons out there to push anymore.

HoBoSkillet · 11 months ago

Rich be honest, how long have you been waiting to play that song?

As for Burris, he maybe a fine and upstanding guy, but I find his actions unbelievable. Even after Blago is hopefully soon gone, Burris will be Blago's legacy that we will be stuck with for a while, among many other things. Who in their right mind would "choose" to be that?

Cat · 11 months ago

I hope the Senate will look into the allegations in Exhibit 70, and will do something to repay honest career employees who have been punished. There are many in several agencies. (Okay, I admit I fit into this category!)

Does anyone believe that it is ironic that the committee voted to recommend impeachment on Elvis' birthday, and the House will impeach on Nixon's birthday?

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Mike in Subs, small point. Nixon officially resigned noon the following day of his prime time Oval Office address. Still one long bourbon-soaked night with the nuclear football. Fortunately, we don't have to worry about that here.

Bill · 11 months ago

Little e,
I like Roland. He is a decent guy who is really taking pleasure in all of this. Good for him. As far as Rod is concerned, well, nananana, nananana, hey hey hey goodbye. LOL.

Six Degrees of Separation · 11 months ago

Cat -

One of Quinn's first orders of business should be to help reward those who have been wrongly punished (with firings, demotions, etc.), as well as punish those who have been wrongly rewarded (with jobs, contracts, etc.).

Clean house!

Bobs yer · 11 months ago

New on Wikpedia... "Illinois Insanity": "voting the same way every time but expecting a different result".

Don't worry, the next group of Chicago Dems will be really clean!! Let's let THEM run the State.

Little Egypt · 11 months ago

SDOS, I think Quinn is going to have a difficult decision to make on which problem to begin with. I wish him luck but I sure wouldn't want to be in either his shoes or Obama's. This state/country is in quite a mess right now.

OneWitness · 11 months ago

The hiring scandal at IDES, outlined in Z. Scott's OEIG report from 2004, is certainly not one of the headliners as far as the specific reasons for impeachment, but I was in the thick of it and I watched up close and personal as the HR director--a guy with unquestioned integrity--was fired for trying to resist the skirting of veterans' preference laws and the hiring of grossly unqualified hacks. His name is Tim Walker, and he has really paid a steep price. People like Tim and the IDOT employee should have an award or scholarship established in their names. They tried to do what was right, on our behalf, and got bounced on their heads.

Pot calling kettle · 11 months ago

It's hard to imagine anyone sand taking this through a Senate trial. Yet, to the Senate we will go. Sigh.

Sweet Polly Purebred · 11 months ago

Anybody betting on just how many resignations will be filed between now and the end of next week? This impeachment thing might just help solve the budget problem in a backhanded manner who knows. Think about the millions that will be saved when all the north of I-80 crowd make their way back home. Heck, just think about the hundreds of thousands that will be saved by not having to cart Roddy Python and his flying circus here there and everywhere.

Marianne · 11 months ago

Burris has been engaged in conflicts of interests since 1995. Trying to get his nephew hired at the IHPA is just another indication that he hasn't changed and would conduct biz as usual should he make it to Capitol Hill. I'm a state employee and we saw vacancies go unfilled for months when Blago 1st took office. Then we found out postings all had to go thru his office. Unheard of in any Republican admin. We would've had a balanced budget under Judy Baar Topinka.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

===The one vote margin is whether its 118-0 or because somebody doesn’t show up===

117-0, since Wyvetter Younge hasn't been replaced yet...

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Gov's press statement (from the Trib):
"The outcome was a foregone conclusion, especially when you consider the committee released its report hours before wrapping up testimony. The governor believes that the impeachment proceedings were flawed, biased and did not follow the rules of law....In all, the governor's rights to due process were deprived. When the case moves to the actual Senate, an actual judge will preside over the hearings, and the governor believes the outcome will be much different," the statement read.

Cheswick · 11 months ago

That Sam Adam thing was a bomb shell. Obviously, it doesn't matter to the committee any more. But, isn't there some attorney rule about making clear what you're doing before a tribunal or whatever?

Capitol View, you say he's the gov's outside counsel. In what capacity? Who's paying his fee: The governor personally? The gov's campaign? The State of Illinois? I think we're entitled to know, especially in light of his approaching Roland Burris and sitting in front of this panel next to the real criminal defense attorney the whole time.

I thought it was interesting that he wanted to walk out after the first couple days.

Am I the only one who thinks this is a big deal?

Cubs Fan · 11 months ago

Quimby, 116-0. Don't forget that Granberg resigned.

Blue in DuPage · 11 months ago

Re: The governor's statement, they still think this impeachment is criminal trial. The "rules of law" are whatever the majority says they are. Pure and simple. They offered him every opportunity to come down and tell them that he's not a crook, and he chose not to. Bye Bye Milorad.

Question: if someone is impeached and removed from office, can they run for office again? Could he attempt to make a return?

jwscott72 · 11 months ago

What time is everyone arriving at the Capitol in the morning? It's certainly going to be a madhouse trying to get into the gallery. I can't wait!

From the Sidlines · 11 months ago

I think something that most posters missed today in Burris statements was the video that was generating showing him - even at this late date - unable to call for the governor to resign.

Considering that the governor's criminal trial (or at best sentencing) will still be going on in 2010, it would a fool of an opponent not to use it in campaign ads.

Durkin may have lost against Durbin, but all I could tell listening on the radio this afternoon, was the voice of someone who is planning to run again.

A Citizen · 11 months ago

I just read Arya's letter to the Committee - Working close to guv was indeed pure hell for anyone serious about public service. A very sad but never the less Must Read. Confirms many observations a lot of sources have made over the years - and does it first hand!

Captain Flume · 11 months ago

Cubs Fan-- A replacement has been named for Granberg to fill his seat until noon, Jan. 14. I forget his name, but you may find it on the ILGA site.

Sheryl B · 11 months ago

90% of Illinois Tollway employees vote yes to impeach Blagojevich.
The other 10% usually set lost going to the restroom, or are generally absent from work
And remove those stupid Milarod Blagojevich signs off the Illinois Tollway. They are an embrassment!

Bookworm · 11 months ago

Regarding the Arya letter and its discussion of Blago's disinterest in clemency cases: perhaps we should all be thankful (regardless of how we may personally feel about the death penalty) that Ryan cleared out death row before Blago took office, and that everyone sentenced to death since then is still years away from actually being executed. It means that Blago never had to make a genuine life-or-death decision. Knowing what we now know about him and his decision-making processes, I hate to think about what might have happened had he been faced with that situation.

Rob_N · 11 months ago

From the Sidelines says, "Durkin may have lost against Durbin, but all I could tell listening on the radio this afternoon, was the voice of someone who is planning to run again."

Considering he's already got a fan club posting his praises on this thread, it does seem as if Durkin 2010 has unofficially kicked off.

About the video feed ... primary opponents will also be able to use it. My hunch is Burris won't make it past the primary if he does get seated.

Closing ranks is one thing, and there will certainly be plenty of old-school Dems in Chicago who do that if Burris becomes Senator. But enough other Dems with ambitions are seeing the result of 'the bosses' circling the wagons around Blago in 2006 and won't be as willing to do so for Burris.

Look for the Dem primary to feature 3-6 contenders.

Levois · 11 months ago

http://tinyurl.com/5z9n69

An MP3 version of that unusual YouTube video most of us won't see or aren't interested in seeing. lol

Song is very appropriate!

Gregor · 11 months ago

We can all relax about Burris, Louis Farrakhan has vouched for him!

earnest · 11 months ago

Rich, you can kill my comment above if you like.

I thought the implication was that there was a positive balance in the campaign committee account, but that the loan had never been repaid.

But that isn't true. The Burris for Gov committee was in debt when it folded it's tent. And after checking the state board reports, aside from about $30,000 in payments to Burris's son for consulting, which he actually performed for all I know, there is nothing in there that suggests any money flowed back.

I did learn that this was a campaign that spent $23,500, more than 1% of its budget, on "billboard design". That in itself ought to be indictable.

Although it's interesting to me that when I track down the company on-line, it's not a graphic design firm. It's an interior design firm. Did somebody's kitchen get redone under the guise of billboard payments? Just asking.

But no, I don't have much to back up my statement of quid pro quo, and I withdraw it.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Maggie, I called the Senate Democratic leaders "weaklings" on this very blog, on this very day.

The House Republicans missed numerous opportunities to nail Burris. They failed. Burris won the day. That's my honest opinion.

If you don't like it, move along.

earnest · 11 months ago

I'd just add that in the period 1/1/02 to 6/1/02, they only spent $8,000 on billboards. (But $23,500 on billboard design spent at an interior design firm!)

I mean, maybe there's an innocent explanation, but you have to admit it's a little weird.

Levois · 11 months ago

Nail Burris? By calling him an egoist?