The Washington Post joins the Chicago Tribune this morning in calling for Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill) to resign his seat immediately. Noting that we’re now on the third or fourth version of Burris’ story of contacts with Blago and that investigations are beginning into possible perjury, the Post says that people of Illinois have suffered long enough:

Mr. Burris’s story has more twists than the Chicago El, and none of them good. Caught in a swirl of accusations of perjury and calls for his resignation from state Democrats and Republicans alike, Mr. Burris said yesterday, “I welcome the opportunity to go before any and all investigative bodies, including those referred by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Senate ethics committee to answer any questions they have.” When that opportunity arises, why should anyone believe him?

From the moment that Mr. Burris was selected, he strove to portray himself as a blameless public servant. The sad pictures of Mr. Burris being cast out into the rain by the Democratic leadership of the Senate, which initially refused to seat him, turned public opinion in his favor. Mr. Burris got his seat. But this latest revelation makes a mockery of his professions of no quid pro quo. It is a violation of the public trust. The people of Illinois have suffered enough. Mr. Burris should resign.

I hate to keep repeating myself, but Democrats in Springfield brought this onto themselves and their constituents. Afraid that the seat could end up going to a Republican, they decided against a special election and instead chose to have Pat Quinn name a replacement after Blago left. As we all know by now, that didn’t pan out and Governor Big Hair appointed Burris right before his impeachment.

Perhaps Democrats should’ve been more interested in getting someone to represent the state of Illinois with integrity and less concerned about keeping the seat to themselves. The nation could’ve avoided this continuing freak show.