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Roland Burris, the man picked by Illinois Gov. Rod
Blagojevich (D) to fill President-elect Obama’s Senate seat, was turned away
Tuesday when he sought to take the oath of office. Burris told reporters that he was advised by Senate
officials that his credentials “were not in order.” Illinois Secretary of State
Jesse White has refused to certify the appointment because Blagojevich was
arrested prior to picking Burris for allegedly seeking to auction off the seat
to the highest bidder.
In brief remarks, Burris said he was not interested in
seeking a confrontation and that he would consult with his attorneys to weigh
the next steps in the process.
Burris attorney Timothy Wright told reporters that the
appointee was “improperly rejected.”
Wright added that Burris could choose to file suit
against the decision of Senate officials but that he could also continue to
talk to Senate leaders in hopes of resolving the impasse.
However, he was adamant that Burris is the junior senator
of Illinois.
“There is no vacancy,” he said. “That vacancy has been
filled.” Burris’s brief appearance in the Senate resulted in a media frenzy, with
about 75 reporters and photographers covering his every step. The slow march from
the Capitol across the street to the press conference site next to the Russell
Office Building was delayed by Vice President-elect Biden’s motorcade. On the
way back from the press conference, Vice President Dick Cheney’s motorcade held
up the group.
“I don’t think Britney
Spears could have excited as large of a media frenzy even if she performed her
greatest hits in the Ohio Clock Corridor,” one GOP aide quipped. J. Taylor Rushing contributed to this report.
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