This just in: Following a closed-door meeting with his fellow Illinois Democrat, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin told Roland Burris that if he were in his position, he would consider resigning. According to Durbin, he was rebuffed.

Burris has been in hot water since admitting he met with representatives of then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich and in fact attempted to raise money for him, as per the governor's request. This while Burris made it clear to the governor's people he wanted to be considered for the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Burris' belated admission came after assuring Durbin and other Democrats that his conversations with people associated with Blagojevich — who was removed from office on Jan. 29 — were far more limited than he later let on.

Unlike Burris, who has not been heard from since the meeting, Durbin came out late this afternoon and spoke to reporters, who were camped outside the meeting room on Capitol Hill. He talked about how disappointed he was when he learned about Burris' conversation with Blagojevich's brother about raising funds for the gov and his less-than-frank initial declaration about whom he spoke with.

If Durbin told Burris flat out that he should resign, I didn't hear it. Durbin did say, "If I were in his shoes, I would consider resigning." Which, politically, is just as damning.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn (D), two Democratic members of the Illinois congressional delegation and the editorial page of the Chicago Tribune, among others, have called on Burris to resign.

Tags: Washington Senators