Listening to Burris (Chapman | Chicago Trib)

[struggle4progress]

<edit: remove junk>

Steve Chapman
Originally posted: May 27, 2009 3:41 PM

I agree with those who think Roland Burris is a conniving weasel who has no business in the United States Senate. But after listening to the audiotape of his Nov. 13 chat with gubernatorial brother Rob Blagojevich, I'm not convinced he was willing to do anything necessary to get the appointment. In fact, you can interpret it to indicate just the opposite.

Let's assume that Burris is not a gullible, easily manipulated fool but a savvy veteran of Illinois' rough-and-tumble culture. With that mind, he doesn't sound like someone who really wants to help a corrupt governor. He sounds like someone who wants that governor to think he's eager to help, without actually doing anything ...

By raising the possibility of an embarrassing scandal, Burris wasn't just saying a pay-to-play deal was dangerous to himself. He was also letting Rob know that it was dangerous to him and the governor. And if someone else were to pay for the seat, Burris would have some knowledge that might be of interest to the authorities.

Maybe Burris was willing to make a corrupt deal. But I'd hate to have to prove it from this tape.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/steve_chapman/2009/05/listening-to-burris.html

[rpannier]

1. I read the transcript of the conversation

I got the opposite impression from Mr Chapman

Sometimes there is a difference between hearing it and reading it

[struggle4progress]

2. Here's a link to the transcript for anyone that needs it

<pdf including transcipt:> http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/national/20090527_intercepted_communication_motion.pdf