Progress Illinois

A senior Democratic aide told CNN today that the swarm of confusion surrounding Roland Burris' appointment to the U.S. Senate is a "mess."  Indeed, every time it seems to be nearing a resolution, there's another twist and the trail of tangles grows. Maybe there was some immediate logic to all the decisions made by the Senate leaders over the past three weeks, but looking back, it's hard to discern any coherent strategy. 

Here are the latest developments: On Friday afternoon, Sen. Dick Durbin appeared resolute in his position that Burris should not be seated and that Pat Quinn should make a "respectable" appointment once he's taken over as governor.  Then on Friday evening a new, somewhat ambiguous "certificate" emerged, signed by Secretary of Jesse White and affirming that the original document appointing Burris was "true and accurate."  This led to a meeting of Senate Democrats yesterday afternoon and a flurry of reports that they might seat Burris after all -- though "without prejudice," which CNN reported "would allow them the ability to revisit the issue" under Senate Rules.

Now the Tribune says Senate lawyers are going to render a decision on Burris this afternoon and it is "likely" he will be seated.  At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.  Let's not forget this AP report from mid-morning last Wednesday: "Senate Democrats plan to accept Roland Burris for President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat."