Blago Names Burris; Senate Dems Say 'No Way'

(NEWSER) - Harry Reid called Rod Blagojevich after the election, but before the governor’s arrest, to discourage him from appointing unelectable candidates to Barack Obama’s Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The Senate majority leader sought to put the kibosh on Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Danny Davis, along with State Senate President Emil Jones. Reid suggested state AG Lisa Madigan or Illinois' veterans affairs chief Tammy Duckworth. More»

(NEWSER) - FBI recordings of a conversation between Sen. Roland Burris and the brother of disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich can be released to the Senate Ethics Committee, a judge ruled today. The committee is investigating Burris’ appointment by the now-impeached governor, made after Blagojevich was indicted, the Hill reports. The taped conversation occurred before the impeachment and the appointment. More»

Franken also not seated

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris strode briskly past the cameras through the rain into the Capitol today, demanding to be seated as Illinois’ Senator but was denied entry, CNN reports. The secretary of the Senate rejected his credentials, preventing him from taking the floor or the oath of office. It was "improperly done," Burris' attorney told the crowd of reporters, "and it is against the law of this land." More»

Former Blago aide says Burris contacted him repeatedly about appointment

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris’s effort to get into the Senate looks more elaborate every day. John Filan, a former aide to Rod Blagojevich, now says he got a call from Burris some time in the fall, expressing interest in a Senate appointment, the Chicago Tribune reports. Burris reiterated his interest, and asked Filan to “put in a good word for me,” in a Dec. 16 meeting. More»

'Wait-and-see attitude' likely as concerns grow

(NEWSER) - As further concerns emerge about Illinois Sen. Roland Burris’ ties to Rod Blagojevich, DC Democrats hoping to escape the former governor’s shadow are hoping Illinois will address the problem for them, Politico reports. Burris has acknowledged Blago contact that he hadn’t mentioned earlier, and while the senator says he’s done nothing wrong, an Illinois probe could force him to resign or prevent a “serious” 2010 run, Manu Raju writes. More»