It would seem that the incoming Junior Senator from Illinois has a few more connections to the impeached governor than anyone had thought before. In fact, Roland Burris did opposition research for Blagojevich during the Illinois governor’s re-election campaign in 2006, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Just days after Gov. Rod Blagojevich accepted his party’s nod for re-election in 2006, a letter arrived at state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka’s office seeking thousands of pages of documents Blagojevich could use as ammunition against her in their upcoming campaign.

The letter was signed by Roland Burris.

It was one of several requests Burris made to the treasurer’s office in 2006, a campaign practice known as opposition research in which candidates use public documents to question their opponents’ records.

Burris’ assistance for his fellow Democrat would typically draw little notice. But it comes to light as he is seeking to project his political independence from the scandal-plagued governor who appointed him to the U.S. Senate on Dec. 31.

Well, well. I supposed Burris and Blago aren’t the unconnected rivals that the former would have us believe. Not only did Burris extend support to the corrupt governor for several years before his appointment, but he actively worked to dig up dirt on Blago’s enemies.

So, what can Congressional Democrats do to stop Burris from taking the seat he was legally appointed to? Unless they can prove that he purchased it, basically nothing now that Jesse White has signed-off on the credentials.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Sunday it was likely that former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris would be seated as the state’s newest senator this week after a legal review of new paperwork regarding the Senate appointment.

The review Monday by Senate legal counsel marks the latest twist in the on-again, off-again seating of Burris, who was appointed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich three weeks after the now-impeached Illinois governor was arrested on federal corruption charges that include allegations he attempted to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. While it appeared the Senate was closer Sunday to seating Burris, there are potential hitches. …

Durbin said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” that it was “point-blank” wrong to think the Senate would await Blagojevich’s removal to keep Burris from being seated.

“To wait until Gov. Blagojevich is removed could be a matter of weeks,” Durbin said. “I think Roland Burris’ future and fate will be decided before then.”

Quite a backing down from the huff-and-puff that Dingy Harry gave when the appointment was first announced. There was no way Burris would ever inhabit the esteemed chamber that enjoys an 18% approval rating, he promised. Unfortunately for Dingy, a little thing called the Constitution got in the way. Now he and his fellow huff-and-puffers will feast on crow.

Of course, Democrats in Springfield could’ve prevented this whole scenario by passing a law requiring a special election — something Blago even called for. But the prospect of a Republican taking the seat was too much for them. Now they’ll deal with the consequence.

An impeached governor called Harry & Co.’s bluff and won. Say hello to your next senator from Illinois.