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Burris wins bid to fill Obama's Senate seat

Roland Burris on Monday won his bid to fill the seat in the US Senate vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, overcoming objections from Democratic leaders who now stand ready to enjoy their biggest majority since 1981.

  • Reuters
  • Published: 23:42 January 13, 2009
  • Gulf News

Washington: Roland Burris on Monday won his bid to fill the seat in the US Senate vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, overcoming objections from Democratic leaders who now stand ready to enjoy their biggest majority since 1981.

Barring unanticipated roadblocks from Senate Republicans, Burris, appointed to the seat by embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich in December, could be sworn in within days, giving Demo-crats 58 of the Senate's 100 seats.

The decision by Senate officials to swear in Burris was a major about-face by the Democratic leadership, which initially vowed that the appointment would not stand because Blagojevich has been charged with having earlier tried to sell the seat. Democrats also privately feared that Burris, 71, would fail to retain the seat in the 2010 election.

At a Chicago news conference, Burris described himself as "humbled and honoured". "I wish you all could see our telephone calls ... all over the country, people are congratulating us," Burris said. "Certainly some people may not like it, but I look at the positive." Burris, who testified he had committed no impropriety, said, "There's no such thing as taint" with the appointment.

Others disagreed. "It is regrettable that Senate Democrats have gone back on their word and will now seat Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointee," said Republican Party Chairman Mike Duncan.

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