Opinion: It’s now <em>Senator</em> Roland Burris and <em>still</em> Gov. Rod Blagojevich

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Not many words necessary for this one.

Two pictures tell the story. A delighted governor (above) and a delighted new senator (below).

Just watch the swearing-in of now properly-appointed Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois (the last one by outgoing Vice President Dick Cheney). And the hand-wringing of Democrat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid during the applause.

Illinois’ legally-challenged Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich was not in attendance. But maybe he’ll watch the video. With an immense smile. And then he’ll quote some British poet.

Burris becomes the Senate’s only current African American member, replacing the previous lone African American member, Barack Obama, who has found new employment starting next Tuesday morning.

BTW, watch Burris sign the official Senate ledger. He’s left-handed, just like the man he’s replacing.

--Andrew Malcolm

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