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Burris Getting Closer to Obama's Senate Seat

After Tuesday's Rejection, Burris Returns to Capitol Hill

Photo: Senate Deal in Works for Burris
Would-be Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois met Wednesday morning with Senate Majority Leader Harry... Expand
(AP Photos)

Deal-Making?

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reported earlier that the deal could involve giving the seat to Burris if he agrees not to run for reelection in 2010 because of concerns that he couldn't win that race for the Democrats.

But Burris denied there was a deal, saying he had never heard of one.

According to Stephanopoulos, the lieutenant governor of Illinois has indicated that he could go along with that deal, but there are no signs that Burris would accept the terms.

Even if he does accept, it remains to be seen whether Burris would keep the promise not to run in 2010.

Responding to questions on whether he would run in 2010, Burress said, "Well, now let me get my Senate legs under me, and get in and raise some money for all this stuff we've been doing, and get in and get settled and learn where the bathrooms are."

Reid and other Senate Democrats had earlier vowed not to seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich.

Related

"President-elect Obama agreed with us that Mr. Burris is tainted, not as a result of anything that he's done wrong," Reid said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday. "There's -- I don't know a thing wrong with Mr. Burris. It's not the person that has been appointed; it's the appointee. ... There is a cloud over Blagojevich, and at this stage, a cloud over the state of Illinois. ... And if, as long as Blagojevich has done the appointing, it's really a tainted appointment."

After being booted from the Senate Tuesday, Burris, who dubbed himself the "the junior senator from the state of Illinois," said at a news conference that he is "not seeking to have any type of confrontation."

His attorney, Tim Wright, added that Burris' rejection was improper and "against the law of the land." He said that one option would be to file in the District Court, but that it was up to Burris to decide.

"The state of Illinois has been illegally disenfranchised and denied full representation in the United States Senate when earlier today senator appointee Roland Burris, D-Ill., was prevented from being sworn in to his legally appointed position by the United States secretary of the Senate clerk and sergeant of arms," read a statement from the Burris team.

Burris got a boost from at least one Democrat Tuesday. Senate Rules Committee chairwoman Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., indicated that she believes Blagojevich still has the power to appoint Burris and that the Senate should respect that appointment.

"Gray Davis was able to be recalled as governor and still make gubernatorial appointments, so as long as you have the power, the power exists," said Feinstein, who is a potential California governor candidate.

Next Story: Will Reid Get His 60 Votes for Health Care?
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