Two Illinois Dems respond to Burris' self-inflicted wounds

Lets start with the man who could have used his influence to prevent the mess known as Sen. Roland Burris (D-Blagojevich), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL). The mainstream media has forgotten this fact, but shortly after the December 9th of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich--who was accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat--Durbin called for a special election to fill that office. But someone, probably Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) nudged the Springfield Democrat, and told him to drop that idea because a Republican might win that seat.

Not exactly a profile in courage.

Durbin was in northwest suburban Chicago this morning, where the Daily Herald interviewed him.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said this morning he was "disappointed" in junior Sen. Roland Burris for not telling the Senate or an Illinois impeachment panel before he was seated about a controversial conversation with ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother.

"I'm disappointed," said Durbin while meeting with suburban mayors in Des Plaines. "We sat down with Roland Burris and asked him to tell us the whole story leading up to his appointment. He said he would, but he didn't mention any conversation with the (former) governor's brother."

More...

Today Durbin urged Burris to "explain himself" to his constituents.

"I stuck my neck out for him and I just don't think his testimony was accurate," said Durbin, who worked with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Burris' controversial appointment.

Durbin needs to explain to his constituents, including this one, why he backed off his call for a special election.
But Burris was not Blago's first choice to fill Barack Obama's Senate seat. The longtime West Side Chicago congressman declined Blagojevich's offer.

The Daily Herald has been busy today, they tracked Davis down.

"I'm more than glad. As a matter of fact, I thank God every day," laughed the baritone-voiced Davis.

Davis acknowledged that "It would be wonderful to be a member of the United States Senate. ... By the same token, I just figured that there was too much swirling around the appointment and it would be difficult to make it stick and I would have to spend so much time trying to rationalize in the mind of people that nothing went on other than, 'Do you want the job? Here it is.'"

That is exactly what Burris now finds himself doing - and more. Burris is under investigation by several bodies to determine if he perjured himself when he failed to tell the Illinois legislature about the conversation with Robert Blagojevich, Rod's brother. In that conversation, the appointment was discussed and Burris promised to make a donation to Rod Blagojevich.

"Some of the things (recorded) are not going to be easy to explain and especially will not be easy to explain to Joe Blow ... the voter," said Davis.

Meanwhile, the Illinois House Republicans have introduced a resolution in Springfield calling for Burris' resignation. But the Democratic majority won't put the call on a fast-track.

Technorati tags: Chicago Blagojevich Illinois Politics corruption Illinois Democrats senate Roland Burris crime special election Harry Reid