FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's official: Roland Burris will be sworn in and officially seated in the United States Senate later this week. He fills the seat vacated by President-elect Obama.
Why did Reid change his mind?
This comes after a circus of events that started with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich allegedly trying to sell the seat. Then he refused, and does to this day, to resign from his post. Last week, Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois legislature. But in a brazen show of arrogance, and perhaps as a way of calling Harry Reid's bluff, Blagojevich went right ahead and appointed Roland Burris. As promised, the Senate refused to seat him.
When Burris was named, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and others quickly said they would reject anyone appointed by Governor Blagojevich.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, number two in the Senate, initially said the fate of the vacant seat should wait until Blagojevich is removed from office.
And there was no shortage of lawmakers issuing statements or rushing in front of cameras to speak their minds. But look what can happen in a week. Burris met behind closed doors with Reid. Democratic Senators suddenly changed their tune and now they will welcome Burris with open arms as their new colleague.
Here’s my question to you: Why did Senators Harry Reid and Dick Durbin cave in and agree to seat Roland Burris as President-elect Obama's Senate replacement?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Nick from New York, New York writes:
Senators Reid and Durbin 'mis-underestimated' Blagojevich's political acumen and Burris's ego. Their bluff was called. The 'playas' got played.
Greg from Cabot, Arkansas writes:
A Democrat seated in the Senate is better than a Democrat candidate in a special election.
Kyle from DuPont, Washington writes:
Because they did not have a legal leg to stand on. Regardless of whether or not they think Gov. Blagojevich is the anti-Christ, he has the constitutional authority to appoint Sen. Obama's replacement. I only wish Gov. Blagojevich had chosen Oprah.
Brian from Fort Mill, South Carolina writes:
I think it's because President Obama asked them to not let this be a distraction. Could you imagine Congress having a contest over this guy, when they should be debating and voting on a stimulus bill that needs to be implemented yesterday? Frankly, I don't even care if he bought the senate seat or not. I just hope that he kept the receipt, because Blagojevich is going DOWN!
Anthony from Wildwood Crest, NJ writes:
Jack, this happened for several reasons. A tainted black Dem is better than a white Republican any day. He is a vote. He is now in the fold. With the strides that Obama has made, locking the black man out of the party just wouldn't look good now would it? He is a pawn, but at least he is getting a seat at the table.
Don writes:
Habit.