HARRIS: Illinois Senator Roland Burris defending a conversation with the brother of disgraced Governor Rod Blagojevich in which he discussed donating money to the campaign. Burris' comments were captured on a federal wiretap and released this week as part of an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee. Well, not a smoking gun. The tape don't exactly clear up lingering questions about the transfer of President Obama's old Senate seat.</s>BURRIS: I'm trying to figure out how to deal with this and still be in the consideration for the appointment.</s>BLAGOJEVICH: I hear you. No, I hear you.</s>BURRIS: And if I do that, I guarantee you that that will get out and people will say, oh, Burris is doing a fund-raiser, and then Rod and I both going to catch hell. And if I do get appointed that means I bought it. If I don't get appointed, then my people who I'm trying to raise money from will look at me and say what, what's that all about? So, Rob, I'm in a -- I'm in a dilemma right now wanting to help the governor.</s>HARRIS: You may recall that Burris under oath failed to mention he discussed the Senate seat with Blagojevich or his people. He eventually did admit to it. Late last night he said the tape really proves nothing.</s>BURRIS: My whole thing was seeing the plate clean in the governor's brother. After I hung up that phone, after I said that, it dawned on me then. I couldn't give a check. It would not be right for me to do that. And guess what, I didn't.</s>HARRIS: Blagojevich was removed from office earlier this year. He faces up to 20 years in prison on corruption charges. As a Supreme Court justice candidate, she is under a microscope. Conservatives are pouring over Sonia Sotomayor's casual remarks, her speeches and comments to law students.
Burris Back in the Hot Seat