Roland Burris, the Illinois Democrat appointed to fill the remaining two years of Barack Obama's Senate seat, has asked critics to stop "a rush to judgment." Fair enough.

But stopping that rush to judgment is almost entirely in Burris' own hands. He could, for example, come clean - or at least get his story straight - with the Senate ethics committee, state prosecutors and the people of Illinois about the circumstances of how he obtained his appointment from former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Burris had told a skeptical Illinois legislative committee that he had had no contact with Blagojevich's top aides and associates and had offered nothing that might get him the seat. But he has subsequently admitted that he talked to several people in the Blagojevich camp, including three times to the governor's brother and finance chairman, who asked for help in raising money for the governor. Burris now admits that he tried, but failed, to raise funds. But, as they say, it's not the money, it's the thought that counts.

Burris has a small band of loyal supporters, but they are rapidly being outnumbered by others who want him to resign. They include both Chicago daily newspapers, and, notably, Blagojevich's successor, Gov. Pat Quinn, who urged Burris to step down Friday.

Unless Burris can convincingly reconcile his wildly differing versions of events, he may need competent legal counsel more than a Senate seat. There are worse ways to leave office than resignation. Just ask the man who appointed him.