WASHINGTON — After days of distracting controversy -- and a quiet request from President-elect Barack Obama -- Senate Democrats opened a path Wednesday toward ushering Roland Burris into the seat vacated by Obama.
A top Senate Democratic source said Obama's concerns were among several factors that resulted in an about-face by Senate leaders, who had vowed to reject Burris or anyone else appointed by disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.
Obama told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and others this week "that if Burris had legal standing -- and it appears he has -- he should be seated as quickly as possible," a top Obama source said. Previously, Obama had sided with those who opposed the appointment.
Blagojevich faces federal corruption charges -- including that he tried to sell the Senate seat.
Burris, a Democrat, arrived Tuesday on Capitol Hill, media horde in tow, and was turned away when he tried to claim the seat. That produced television images of a distinguished 71-year-old black man being turned out of the U.S. Capitol into the rain.
The former attorney general of Illinois received a more genteel reception Wednesday, meeting with Reid and Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), the assistant Senate majority leader. They invited camera crews to film the beginning of their meeting as the three chatted.
Reid emerged from their 45-minute discussion to praise Burris as "candid and forthright." The majority leader outlined a process through which Burris could join the Senate, stressing the importance of Burris' testimony today to the Illinois panel investigating whether Blagojevich should be impeached.
"He's going to go answer any other questions they might have," Reid said. "He's not trying to avoid any responsibility and [not] trying to hide anything. Once that's done, we'll be in a different position and see what we are going to do."
Reid said the Senate Rules Committee probably would examine Burris' appointment to ensure that the circumstances are "transparent" in light of Blagojevich's arrest.
Reid also said that Burris must obtain documents complying with Senate rules. Initially, the Senate rejected Burris' appointment papers on the grounds that they were not co-signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, as required by state law. Reid said he expects Illinois courts to act "pretty soon" on Burris' lawsuit, which seeks to compel White to sign.
