Reid Softens Tone on Burris Appointment

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Reid Softens Tone on Burris Appointment
The Senate's majority and minority leaders are getting together to figure out what to do about Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's choice to replace President-elect Barack Obama.
WASHINGTON -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid appeared to soften his tone Sunday toward the Illinois politician appointed to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

While asserting emphatically that the Senate has the constitutional authority to decide its own membership, Reid told NBC's "Meet the Press" that he is not shutting the door on Burris entirely.

"There's always room to negotiate," he said. Asked whether that means Reid is not saying "no" altogether to Burris serving, Reid responded, "That's right."

Burris, 71, appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich travels to Washington Monday and will attempt Tuesday to enter the Senate chamber to be sworn in. Burris has not been accused of wrongdoing but is considered "tainted" by many senators because he is Blagojevich's appointee.

The governor has been accused by federal authorities of offering to sell the appointment to the highest bidder, but he has not been indicted yet. Reid said Blagojevich is "obviously" corrupt.

"There is a cloud over Blagojevich and at this stage a cloud over the state of Illinois. They don't have a vote and ... as long as Blagojevich has done the appointing it's really a tainted appointment," Reid said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Congress convenes on Tuesday, and the belief is that Burris, in all probability, will not be seated next week.