The transcript is here (pdf).U.S. Senator Roland Burris promised to raise campaign cash for Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich while he was lobbying hard to be appointed to the U.S. Senate.
Last night federal authorities released the transcript of a phone call that was secretly recorded on November 13 of last year, about a month before Blagojevich was arrested. On the line is Burris and Blagojevich's brother Robert who was in charge of fundraising.
Robert Blagojevich tells Burris he's trying to fill the governor's war chest. Burris says he wants to help but he also wants to be appointed to the Senate and he's worried about appearances. He says, "It has so many negative connotations that Burris is trying to buy an appointment from the governor for the senate seat."
Burris says the press would find out. Instead he suggests throwing a fundraiser but doing it under name of his attorney Tim Wright. The conversation bounces back and forth between the appointment and fundraising and Burris repeatedly says he wants to figure out a way to help the governor and be appointed to the Senate.
Roland Burris transcript released
Moderators: Alyrium Denryle, Edi, K. A. Pital
Roland Burris transcript released
WBEZ
A Government founded upon justice, and recognizing the equal rights of all men; claiming higher authority for existence, or sanction for its laws, that nature, reason, and the regularly ascertained will of the people; steadily refusing to put its sword and purse in the service of any religious creed or family is a standing offense to most of the Governments of the world, and to some narrow and bigoted people among ourselves.
F. Douglass