With apologies to Benjamin Disraeli, there are lies, damn lies, and politicians. The circus that has swirled around U.S. Sen. Roland Burris the past week has been nothing short of an exercise in political hubris.
With apologies to Benjamin Disraeli, there are lies, damn lies and politicians.
The circus that has swirled around U.S. Sen. Roland Burris this past week has been nothing short of an exercise in political hubris. Just when we thought that Rod Blagojevich had set new standards for political gamesmanship, now comes Burris, doing back flips, somersaults and other linguistic contortions to explain his actions while he was openly campaigning to be appointed to the Senate seat he now holds.
We’re not saying Burris lied to the state Legislature. But he certainly withheld the truth, which will probably save him from a perjury charge.
Called in front of Illinois lawmakers Jan. 8, Burris said he had not been contacted by any of Blagojevich’s representatives prior to being approached to accept the appointment. Weeks later, Burris sent an amended affidavit which indicated that yes, he had spoken to Blagojevich fundraiser Lon Monk about the position. This past weekend, Burris offered up yet another affidavit, this one admitting that he had spoken to five different people who could be considered the former governor’s people, and that one of them, the ex-governor’s brother, Rob, asked him to help in fundraising. On Sunday, Burris said he turned them down.
Now, of course, Burris is admitting that, no, he didn’t turn them down, and that he actually tried to raise funds for Blagojevich, but he was unsuccessful.
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