Senator Roland Burris (D) speaks...

Jan 5, sworn affidavit:

There was not any contact between myself or any of my representatives with Governor Blagojevich or any of his representatives regarding my appointment to the United States Senate.

Contact counter: 0

Jan 8, sworn testimony:

I talked to some friends about my desire to be appointed, yes...I recall having a meeting with ["Lobbyist 1"] Lon Monk about my partner and I trying to get continued business and I did bring it up, it must have been in September-maybe it was in July of '08 and you know, 'If your close to the governor, well let him know that I will feel certainly interested in the seat.'"

Contact counter: 1

Feb 4, sworn affidavit:

On June 27, 2008, I attended a fundraising event for then-Governor Blagojevich, at which I encountered Doug Scofield and John Wyma. During that event, I likely asked Mr. Scofield and/or Mr. Wyma to tell Governor Blagojevich that I was interested in filling now-President Barack Obama's Senate seat if he were to be elected President of the United States.

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I recall that Governor Blagojevich's brother, Rob Blagojevich, called me three times to seek my assistance in fund-raising for Governor Blagojevich. The first conversation was in early October, 2008, and the other two were shortly after the election. During the first conversation I asked Rob Blagojevich what was going on with the selection of a successor if then-Senator Obama were elected President, and he said he had heard my name mentioned in the discussions.

Contact counter: 6

In October, 2008, I attempted to contact John Harris via telephone to give a recommendation for my nephew who had applied for a job with the State of Illinois. Mr. Harris was unavailable and I left a voicemail message for him. Approximately three weeks later, Mr. Harris called and I discussed with him my nephew's qualifications for the job with the State of Illinois. At the conclusion of the conversation, I inquired as to the whether there was any news regarding then-Governor Blagojevich's possible picks to fill President Obama's Senate seat. Mr. Harris indicated that there was no news as to President Obama's replacement.

Contact counter: 7

Before the November election I also called Ed Smith, a friend and supporter of then-Governor Blagojevich. Although I do not consider Mr. Smith closely related to or a representative of Governor Blagojevich, I mention for completeness that I asked Mr. Smith whether I had any chance to be appointed to the Senate seat. He said he would get back to me but he never did.

Contact counter: 8

But what about the quid pro quo?

Jan 8, sworn testimony:

Durkin: At any time were you directly or indirectly aware of a quid pro quo with the governor for the appointment of this vacant Senate seat?

Burris: No sir.

Feb 4, sworn affidavit:

I recall that Governor Blagojevich's brother, Rob Blagojevich, called me three times to seek my assistance in fund-raising for Governor Blagojevich...In one of the other conversations (I believe the last one), I mentioned the Senate seat in the context of saying that I could not contribute to Governor Blagojevich because it could be viewed as an attempt to curry favor with him regarding his decision to appoint a successor to President Obama.

I sure am happy that the Senate relented and allowed Burris to be seated so that we could put the Cirque de Blagojevich behind us. Speaking of which, Illinos lawmakers are considering a Burris perjury probe.