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Senate Democrats change their tune on Burris

THE WASHINGTON POST

January 8, 2009

WASHINGTON - Senate Democratic leaders yesterday laid out a path for former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate, softening their initial ardent opposition to Burris' appointment last week.

After an hourlong meeting with Burris on Capitol Hill, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Illinois told reporters that they would consider Burris' appointment if it is certified by the Illinois secretary of state and if Burris testifies successfully before legislators in Illinois who are considering the impeachment of Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of corruption charges, including looking to sell Obama's Senate seat.

"Once that's done, we'll be in a position to see what we're going to do," said Reid, who last week had declared any appointment that Blagojevich made would be "tainted." In a news conference yesterday morning, Obama said he would accept Burris as his replacement in the Senate.

Burris, 71, has challenged the refusal of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to sign his certificate of appointment, and the Illinois Supreme Court is expected to rule in a few days. The would-be senator, who did not speak to reporters immediately after the meeting, is to meet today with the 21-person committee in the Illinois House considering Blagojevich's impeachment.

Reid said that if Burris was successful in those proceedings in Illinois, the Senate Rules and Administration Committee would investigate the appointment, and then the full Senate would vote on whether to accept Burris. Democratic aides had suggested last week an investigation in the Rules committee would be used to slow down Burris' appointment, but the current chairman of the Rules Committee, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said this week she felt Burris should get the seat.

Several members of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of House members, are also pushing for the appointment.