While he's avoided scandal, Burris has made questionable decisions

Normally, a potential U.S. senator's record faces intense scrutiny by their opponent, the media and voters.

That is, when the senator is elected.

But when a senator is appointed, as Roland Burris has been by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the voters have no say.

And, so far, the media has focused most closely on whether Senate Democrats will allow him to be seated at all.

Despite the controversy, many public officials are praising Burris' political record as a three-term state comptroller and one-term attorney general.

"I think you have served Illinois in a very honorable fashion," state Rep. Monique Davis, a Chicago Democrat told Burris as he faced questions Thursday before a state House panel that ultimately recommended Blagojevich's impeachment.

Boasting an impeccable record, Burris says he always tried to serve the people.

Indeed, the state's first black statewide office holder, whose public career spanned the 1980s and early 1990s, has a record relatively scandal free, watchdog groups say.

But, says Better Government Association director Jay Stewart, it is not without some questions. "He has been on the political scene for a long time and he certainly has not been attached to any great scandal," Stewart said. "I'm sure, though, you can find some things that aren't the greatest in the world."

Here is a look at some actions and ties that have been questioned in Burris' public career:

Blagojevich links: After he was defeated by Blagojevich in the Democratic governor primary of 2002, Burris became one of the governor's strongest supporters. He landed an appointment to a state pension board and some of the clients he lobbied for won millions of dollars in state contracts. Burris' lobbying firm even landed a contract with the state's transportation department to promote minority contracting in 2005 and 2006.

Campaign debt: Burris still owes $1.2 million to Joseph A. Stroud of Oak Brook, who owns WJYS-TV, a Tinley Park-based television station. The loan made up a significant portion of Burris' campaign fund in his failed Democratic primary bid for governor in 2002.

Racial comment: In his 1998 primary bid for governor, Burris was caught on videotape telling black supporters his opponents were "non-qualified white boys." Burris apologized for the statement. Burris has recently insisted he never played the race card in his public career.

Pension bump: In 1993, Burris used $28,200 in campaign donations to pay the state to boost his own pension so he could receive the maximum payments when he retired. Such personal use of campaign funds was not illegal at that time.

Rolando Cruz: When Burris was running for governor he refused attempts by his assistant attorney general to drop a death-penalty case against Cruz even though another man confessed to the crime. The Center for Wrongful Convictions says Burris' action was "indefensible." The attorney who urged Burris to back off Cruz in 1992 resigned in protest. Burris said at the time he kept pursuing Cruz because a jury convicted him of rape and murder. Cruz was eventually acquitted in a third trial in 1995.

Patronage: Burris' name appears on the "clout list" kept by then-Gov. George Ryan's chief of staff Scott Fawell. According to the list, made public by federal prosecutors, Burris asked for a "clerk job and promotion" for someone.

State scholarships: As state comptroller, Burris paid $442,508 in disputed state scholarship funds to a Chicago college at the same time he was connected to a law firm representing an official at the same college. Burris said at the time, in 1985, he was unaware of the law firm's connection to the college.

Conviction intervention: In 1985 when he was comptroller, Burris asked a federal judge to give probation to a pharmacist and friend convicted of defrauding Medicaid. The letter to the judge included his state title. Burris said the letter was printed at his expense and his action was not in his public capacity.