I’m not a political reporter, but I occasionally cover politics. I’ve talked to Roland Burris numerous times over the past two years and he always seemed like a genial person – and an honest person, at least by Chicago standards.
But this morning, I saw a very different side of the man who is now the junior senator from Illinois.
About 7:30 a.m., the Democrat addressed reporters camped outside of his South Side home. The event did not play out smoothly for anyone involved.
After reading a prepared statement, in which he said he did nothing wrong in his discussions with aides of former Governor Rod Blagojevich over his Senate appointment, Burris took a few questions from reporters. Soon, things turned nasty.
The federal transcripts revealed that Burris talked with the former governor’s brother, Robert, about delivering campaign money to the then-governor as Burris sought the Senate appointment.
When a reporter asked Burris if he had planned to give money to the Blagojevich campaign, Burris’ normally calm, cool demeanor shifted dramatically. He became so visibly mad that veins bulged from his head.
Burris angrily asked the reporter several times if he had read Burris’ affidavit; referring to an affidavit Burris filed to amend his January testimony before an Illinois House impeachment panel.
It’s this testimony that interests reporters, prosecutors and even fellow U.S. Senators.
It seemed to me that Burris’ wrath was misdirected, and it is he who should be re-reading his public statements, which have confused more than just reporters on deadline.
Sangamon County prosecutors, in particular, are poring over these statements as they determine whether perjury charges should be sought against Burris.
If he is charged, it’s clear that Burris may have more to raise his blood pressure than a handful of reporters lobbing questions first thing in the morning.
What do you think about Burris’ latest public statements?
