Durbin rejects Burris' explanation

SPRINGFIELD -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin rejected fellow Sen. Roland Burris' explanation that Burris did not reveal certain details surrounding his controversial appointment because the committee investigating him did not ask the right questions.

Durbin isn't buying it.

''Back in the old days when I was just a lawyer, I knew how to get a witness ready for testimony,'' Durbin told reporters in Carbondale. ''You say to them, 'Listen carefully. Don't say anything more than you have to. Make them ask every single question so you don't get carried away and say too much.'''

Burris was appointed by Rod Blagojevich.

Durbin reiterated that Burris' testimony didn't suffice, calling his testimony a disappointment.

''He didn't come in and tell the whole story under oath so we would know before he became a senator what had happened,'' Durbin said. ''It wasn't until later that we realized that there were parts of the story that weren't disclosed.'

''Those transcripts raise many questions that still need to be answered.''

Jordan Wilson, with Barton Lorimor contributing