Burris: I'm going to D.C.
WAITING GAME? | Gov's appointee plans to be there for Senate swearing-in, but Dems expected to deny him paycheck, office
He doesn't have his plane ticket yet, but Roland Burris is planning on traveling to Washington, D.C., for next week's swearing-in ceremony for incoming U.S. senators.
Burris, the surprise Senate appointee by embattled Gov. Blagojevich, said he hasn't had time to think about details big and small like a new staff or U.S. Capitol office decor.
(Richard A. Chapman/Sun-Times)
"The first part is how we're going to get there by train, plane or bicycle," the former Illinois attorney general said. "All we did is think about how we're going to travel."
He's also thinking about how to deal with the reality that top Senate Democrats plan to block his appointment because of the criminal charges Blagojevich faces.
Burris, 71, said he planned to work through the weekend "negotiating some of the concerns by some of the Democratic senators," but was vague on whom he would talk to and how he planned to persuade them. "We'll make sure they understand what the law is," he said. "I'm planning on going, and I'm pretty sure we'll be successful."
Burris said if he is turned away at the ceremony, he won't make a scene.
"That is not my style. I am not seeking to be confrontational," he said. "I'm not showboating or styling to try to be making points for somebody. That's not me."
Despite the controversy, Burris said it's correct at this point to address him as Sen. Burris. "The governor signed the letter today, and that makes the appointment valid," he said.
Blagojevich's appointment of Burris was rejected by Secretary of State Jesse White's office as expected Wednesday. But Burris quickly took his case to the Illinois Supreme Court, asking it to force White to certify the Senate appointment.
In Washington, meanwhile, Senate Democratic officials spent New Year's Eve reviewing procedures that haven't been used in decades in anticipation of Burris' arrival on Tuesday. Generally, they expect to make a motion to refer Burris' credentials to the Rules Committee for review, then to deny Burris floor privileges until the investigation is completed.
That could take months, by which time Blagojevich may no longer be governor, the officials said. Burris would not be granted a paycheck or office space in the meantime, the officials said.
Contributing: AP