Does the NFL have higher ethical standards than the U.S. Senate?

The State's Attorney for Sagamon County, Illinois which includes Springfield has decided that he lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute Roland Burris for perjury for the lies of omission Burris used to obtain his Senate seat. The level of evidence needed for a jury to convict  Burris is very high.

About the same time as the state's attorney was declining to prosecute Burris, NFL Commissioner Goodell issued his decision regarding Cleveland Browns' player Donte Stallworth. Stallworth had successfully minimized the criminal consequences for having killed someone while driving drunk. Goodell judged that the resolution of the criminal charges did not shield Stallworth from further civil consequences. Goodell indefinitely suspended Stallworth.

The Senate Ethics Committee continues to review what Burris said and withheld. They would do well to follow Goodell's example.

What will make Burris resign?

The same lack of integrity that Burris exhibited by accepting the Senate appointment from Blagojevich now prevents him from doing the honorable thing by resigning.

What would move such a personality to resign? I think Burris has enough megalomania that he would rather resign than need to chisel into his burial monument:

1. First African-American senator censured by the Senate.

2. First African-American Senator expelled by the Senate. That would be particularly humiliating as all but one of the previous 15 expulsions were for supporting the Confederacy.

3. First African-American Senator asked to resign by the first African-American President.

4. First African-American Senator indicted for perjury or any one of a number of crimes to be revealed by ongoing investigations. While criminal prosecution does not necessarily result in loss of his seat, he may wish to avoid adding an indictment to his legacy by making some type of plea bargain, resigning in exchange for a promise of no prosecution.

In his resignation statement, Burris could use the standard fall back of needing more time with his family. That probably would not soothe his pompous ego. More likely, he will blame everyone else. He may charge that he is the victim of a vast media conspiracy which has made it impossible for him and President Obama to do their jobs.

How will Burris deal with this on his monument?

How and when will Burris leave office?

1. Resignation? Probably the least likely as his ego won't allow it.

2. Expulsion by the Senate through one of its procedures other than than impeachment? Reasonable and possible.

3. Impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate? A long, cumbersome, and politically costly process which makes it less likely.

4. Loss in the 2010 Senatorial primary? A very likely possibility especially since the revelations of the past few days cost him most meaningful support from Illinois Democrats.

5. If he survives the primary, loss in the general election? That might be the worst outcome as it will give the Republicans another Senate seat, the last thing President Obama needs.

Unfortunately, Burris is so self centered that he is incapable of seeing how harmful he has become to President Obama. Just as the Republicans are putting ideology before the good of the nation, Burris will probably do the same with his ego. That will look great on his grave marker.