January 7, 2009 10:41 AM

Report: Burris Will Get Obama Senate Seat

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Congress
(CBS)
Roland Burris, the man appointed to Barack Obama's Senate seat by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, will be allowed to take the seat, according to the Associated Press.

Spokespersons for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin are denying the report. (See update below.)

Burris showed up in Washington for yesterday's Senate swearing-in session, but was turned down by Senate Democrats who had previously vowed not to seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich. The governor has been charged with effectively trying to sell the seat and hearings are being held in Illinois over impeaching him.

Now, however, the Senate Democrats "plan to embrace Roland Burris for President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat," the AP reports.

The stated reason for not seating Burris yesterday was that his certificate had not been signed by the Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White. As Ben Smith reports, however, White said in a radio interview that "[t]hey could have seated him without my signature," insisting that his signature was simply a "ceremonial" one.

White rallied behind Burris, suggesting the Senate "played a little bit of a game with him," and he suggested he had been made a "fall guy" by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"I think the world of Roland Burris," White said. "We're the best of friends."

Legal experts have disagreed about whether Reid and his Senate cohorts had legal grounds for turning Burris away. White's comments, however, weakened their case.

There has been speculation in recent days that Reid might agree to seat Burris if Burris would agree not to run for election in 2010, though it is unknown whether such a deal was worked out.

UPDATE: Mr. Obama was just asked about the Burris appointment during his morning press conference. The president-elect did not take a position, saying it was "a Senate matter."

Mr. Obama noted he had known Burris for years, adding: "If he gets seated, then I'm going to work with Roland Burris, just like I work with all the other senators."

UPDATE: CBS Radio's Bob Fuss reports that spokespersons for both Reid and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin are flatly denying the AP story, stating that it is not true.

UPDATE: Reid and Durbin held a press conference explaining where they believe things stand. While steps still need to be taken before Burris can be seated, the senators signaled that they are open to the prospect. Read more here>.

Add a Comment
by walt1944-2009 January 7, 2009 4:08 PM EST
It is rumored that due to intense pressure, senile Harry Reid and the evil, cowardly Whimpo-crats will finally see some reason and seat Roland Burris as Illinois jr senator according to the AP.

Apparently, the Whimpo-crats have suddenly discovered that with Burris and Franken from Minnesota, they will have enough votes to override any filibuster the neocon Fascist Nazi Republicans could throw at them.

A 3rd grader could have told them that!!!

However, it must be pointe out that this is just a rumor and that another rumor has it that if Burris is not seated, Blogo will appoint Paris Hilton to take the seat!!!

SIG HEIL, I WAS NEVER VERY SMART EITHER!!!, BUSH!!!

Reply to this comment
by creeper00 January 7, 2009 2:45 PM EST
Make no mistake. Harry Reid wouldn''t have denied Burris that seat without Obama''s concurrence.

Between Richardson and Burris, Obama''s not getting off to a very good start.
Reply to this comment
by specialty8 January 7, 2009 2:37 PM EST
Seems Obama just really can''t stand up for anything, it might mess up his halo.
Reply to this comment
by bjrober January 7, 2009 2:14 PM EST
I am happy this Senator will be seated. he has an excellent reputation and sounds like he will represent the State of Illinois.
Reply to this comment
by talaan77 January 7, 2009 2:07 PM EST
Me too but they can''t punish Burris for Blago
Reply to this comment
by krescera January 7, 2009 2:06 PM EST
Another feather in the cap of the great Governor of Illinois.
Reply to this comment
by promaclaura January 7, 2009 2:05 PM EST
-White rallied behind Burris, suggesting the Senate "played a little bit of a game with him," and he suggested he had been made a "fall guy" by Senate majority leader Harry Reid.-

So Burris is O.K. with the Democrat''s today, but they kicked him to the curb yesterday. This is moronic and to quick of an about face, I guess the egg on Harry Reid''s face was too much to bear. Burris should have been allowed to to enter the Senate yesterday.

Blago is a dog and will get his soon.
Reply to this comment
by cariboubarbi January 7, 2009 1:57 PM EST


I hope the selfish, ego maniacal, Blago gets his just deserts.


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