Our Clever Senator Burris

"Fundraising discussion was a ruse, Burris says: His intent was to 'placate' Blagojevich's brother, senator now contends": 

Beleaguered U.S. Sen. Roland Burris added another layer Wednesday to the evolving story of his appointment, saying he was only trying to "placate" then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother to keep his Senate prospects alive knowing no campaign money would ever change hands.

He has embarked on a scenic tour of Central and Downstate Illinois.

Meanwhile, Blago will be Mr. Mom, while Patti does her I'm a celebrity get me out of here gig. She is prepping doing "hot yoga" to acclimate her to Central America.

More. Dem House Speaker Madigan blocks resolutions condemning Burris and calling for him to step aside. Sun Times:

Burris is facing a U.S. Senate ethics probe and a perjury investigation by a Sangamon County prosecutor for his continually evolving timeline of events and conflicting statements about his appointment.

Three resolutions targeting Burris have had a brick on them in the state House Rules Committee, which Madigan tightly controls. [snip]

But Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), the ranking Republican on the impeachment panel, said the resolutions should get full House hearings on what he regards as Burris' deceptive testimony.

"If we're going to ignore it and just dismiss this as kind of a lie, it reflects poorly on this institution, and it's shameful," Durkin said.

And what about the role of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald?

Dems want to keep Burris in office--they know they'd lose a special election. They're hoping people will forget how complicit they've been in corruption--but this may fan the flames to throw the bums out when we finally get to vote next year. 

More. The Politico, "Case against Burris remains cloudy":

Legal experts suggest it could be difficult to make a perjury or criminal case against Burris for initially failing to disclose his fund raising discussions with Robert Blagojevich, who chaired Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund. And in the Senate, the ethics case against Burris remains complex as the Senate Ethics Committee digs deeper in its investigation of the Burris appointment.