By Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin told his fellow Illinois Democrat, Sen. Roland Burris, that he should resign from office in light of recent revelations that he tried to raise money for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Durbin adds his name to a growing list of Democrats who want Burris to leave the Senate, but the man appointed to replace President Back Obama has so far refused and did so Tuesday even in the face of new pressure from Senate leadership.
“I told him that under the circumstances I would consider resigning if I were in his shoes,” Durbin told reporters after meeting with Burris for about an hour. “He said he would not resign.”
Burris said he has not decided whether he attempt to run for the seat in 2010, when his two-year appointment expires. Durbin said he told Burris “it would be extremely difficult” for him to win a primary or general election challenge.
Burris’s political career began unraveling earlier this month when it was revealed that he had talked to close associates of Blagojevich, including the disgraced governor’s brother, about his interest in the Senate seat and his willingness to try to raise money for the embattled governor. Blagojevich was arrested on charges of trying to sell the Senate seat.
Burris had testified under oath before the Illinois legislature last month that he had no contact with close aides of the governor about the matter but later amended that testimony with new revelations that appear to contradict his earlier statements.
Durbin said he told Burris, “I was disappointed that his testimony in Springfield wasn’t complete and that he didn’t make a clear and accurate disclosure about the circumstances of his appointment until weeks after the fact.”
The Senate ethics committee is now considering whether to launch a formal investigation into Burris. That, along with intense media focus on the situation, said Durbin, make Burris “limited in what he can do,” in the Senate.
The local prosecutor in Springfield, Ill. has opened a perjury investigation into Burris’ actions and new Gov. Pat Quinn wants Burris to resign and be replaced in an emergency special election.
