WASHINGTON AND CHICAGO — Roland Burris and Democratic party leaders headed toward a showdown at the door of the U.S. Senate today as the former Illinois attorney general presses his claim to the disputed seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Burris said in an interview Monday evening that he intended to try to walk onto the Senate floor to be sworn in with incoming senators when the Senate convenes, despite declarations from party leaders that they will prevent him from entering the chamber.
The imagery of authorities stopping a graying African American at the threshold of political power promises to be high drama in a controversy that has melded the politics of race with the corruption scandal swirling around Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.
But with Burris, 71, and Senate leaders balancing determination to hold their ground against a wish to avoid generating too much bitterness, the face-off will be choreographed.
Burris said his staff had notified Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terry Gainer of his intentions. Gainer is an old acquaintance who was director of the Illinois State Police when Burris was attorney general.
"We will only go as far as the sergeant at arms permits us to go," said Burris. "We will then retreat and meet with our legal team."
Senate Democrats oppose seating Burris, saying his appointment is tainted by accusations that Blagojevich tried to sell the seat. But Burris maintains that his appointment is lawful.
"What has been done here is legal," Burris told reporters Monday before flying to Washington. He dismissed repeated questions about the Democratic governor's scandal, calling it "all politics and theater."
And on Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid seemed to leave room for compromise. "I'm an old trial lawyer," the Nevada Democrat said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "There's always room to negotiate."
Incoming senators customarily are sworn in on the Senate floor beginning at noon in groups of four according to alphabetical order. They are escorted by fellow senators from their home states. If Burris were to be seated, he would be in the second group of four.
But Senate officials rejected paperwork sent by Blagojevich to formally appoint Burris, citing the refusal of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sign the certificate.
