Even out of office, Rod Blagojevich continues to wreak havoc. Lisa Madigan joined the criticism of the new Senator, Roland Burris:
Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan led a growing chorus of Democratic officials Monday calling for a deeper investigation of U.S. Sen. Roland Burris' explanation about how he was appointed by now-ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich.It is truly phenomenal how badly Blago screwed up this situation. The reason Illinois had a vacant seat was because its junior Senator, Barack Obama, became president -- against enormous odds. Instead of creating a Senate legacy for Obama, Blago created a scandal. And, Roland Burris helped insure that the scandal still has legs. Great work.
Burris has maintained there was nothing inconsistent between his testimony before state lawmakers and a recently filed affidavit outlining more extensive contact with Blagojevich insiders than he had previously disclosed. But Illinois Republicans pressed their call for a perjury investigation by the county prosecutor in Springfield and on Monday, Democrats expressed increasing discomfort over Burris' evolving explanation of efforts to get the seat.
"This is a particularly frustrating revelation," Madigan said of Burris' recent disclosure that he had contact with five Blagojevich insiders. "I encourage the Sangamon County state's attorney to take a closer look at this in the interest of truth, integrity and transparency."
