Senate embarrassment Roland Burris re-entered the national spotlight Saturday when the Sun-Times reported that he corrected his testimony before the Illinois House impeachment hearing. His correction came in the form of a second affidavit sent to the impeachment committee. According to today’s Tribune, this second affidavit states:

“Gov. Blagojevich’s brother, Rob Blagojevich, called me three times to seek my assistance in fundraising.” Burris also acknowledged mentioning his interest in the Senate seat to four close Blagojevich associates.

OK, Roland. Gig is up. It’s time to resign. Right now.

Roland defended himself at a news conference yesterday by saying that the House never asked him directly which members of the Blagojevich camp contacted him. Huh? The Illinois House Democrats called the hearing so Burris could free himself from the Blago cloud. The fact that no one on the committee specifically asked him if Brother Blunder called him doesn’t mean Roland should not have fessed up to the contact.

He lied. His response on January 8 to the question of which members of the Blago camp was he contact with about the Senate seat:

“I recall having a meeting with [former Blagojevich chief of staff] Lon Monk.”

Nope, no Brother Blunder there. Face it, he knew mentioning Rob would endanger his chances at getting his grubby hands on the seat.

Now things get interesting. Do the Illinois Democrats continue to support a candidate who surely cannot win a general election in a year against Mark Kirk? Do they force him to resign? The smart money is on a Burris resignation before the end of the week. OK, but is the new Senator black? Race has dominated this seat from the time Obama won it over four years ago. JJ Jr.? He’s on the wiretaps and probably wants to keep a low profile until Patrick Fitzgerald absolves him of wrongdoing. Danny Davis? Maybe. Jesse White? He’s my guess. He earns strong points for holding up Burris’ seating and turning down Blagojevich for the seat.

If Jesse says yes, it allows JJ Jr. to still announce a run once the Blago investigation ends. Of course, JJ Jr. and Jesse White split the black vote. What does this mean for our Evanston congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky? We hope she runs. Or Illinois Treasure and Friend of BO Alexi Giannoulias?

Thanks, Roland. You’ve guaranteed me plenty of copy over the next year.

- In today’s Tribune Rev. Willie Barrow, a leader of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, says about Burrisgate:

“We put him in, and we’re going to keep him in,” Barrow said.

Really? Who put him in? Rev. Barrow, let me tell you what this sounds like. This sounds like you and your organization put him in because Burris is black. And that you will keep him in office because he is black. I thought we were living in a post-racial world. I guess not in the state of Illinois.

Barrow, you embarass yourself and your organization when you support Burris. No one takes you seriously. The Senate seat should go to the best candidate, regardless of skin color.

Burris needs to resign. And Gov. Pat Quinn needs to make sure there is a special election. Illinois voters are sick to death of individuals and organizations placing their own interests ahead of the citizens.