Burris sworn in as Obama successor

WASHINGTON — Roland Burris took his place as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate on Thursday, ending a standoff that embarrassed the president-elect and fellow Democrats who initially resisted the appointment by scandal-scarred Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"I do," Burris said with a grin as Vice President Dick Cheney administered the oath of office to the former Illinois attorney general who takes Obama's place as the Senate's only black member.

More than a week after his colleagues were sworn in, Burris was seated without objection or a roll call vote, even though Majority Leader Harry Reid had said senators would have their voices heard on whether to accept his appointment.

Illinois congressional delegation members joined Democratic and Republican senators in giving Burris a congratulatory standing ovation, handshakes and hugs on the Senate floor.

Both Reid and Illinois' senior senator, Dick Durbin, smiled broadly and praised Burris in speeches, insisting anew that their previous resistance wasn't about Burris personally but rather about how he was appointed.

"To Senator Burris, on behalf of all senators — Democrats and Republicans — we welcome you as a colleague and as a friend," Reid said.

Durbin also offered his congratulations before throwing a reception in his new colleague's honor, saying: "I know this was a rocky road to this great day in his life but a road well traveled."

It was a warm welcome that contrasted sharply with last week's treatment, when Burris showed up on Capitol Hill to be sworn in with his colleagues, only to be turned away into the cold and rain by Senate Democratic leaders who argued that Burris' appointment wasn't valid under Senate rules.

But as the soon-to-be-impeached Blagojevich watched from afar, Burris dug in and the two Senate Democratic leaders ultimately relented under pressure from Obama and rank-and-file Democrats who worried that the episode was distracting from more important matters and putting the party — and the president-elect — in a bad light.

No sooner was Burris sworn on Thursday than he was expected to cast his first vote, on whether to give Obama access to the second half of the $700 billion financial bailout.

The vote was expected to be close; of the 99 senators, Obama needs a majority to get the money. There is one Senate vacancy because the election in Minnesota between GOP Sen. Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken is unresolved.