You Don't Work For Me, Huh?

It appears that in spite of his, "I don't work for Obama," bravado, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been put in his place by Obama. I'll agree with John Kass, writing for the Chicago Tribune who describes Reid's about-face on Burris this way:

So the Chicago Way hauled off and slapped the U.S. Senate in the face—one of those backhands with the knuckles to unsuspecting lips—and guess who blinked? It wasn't Chicago. It was the Senate. Get used to it, America. And it won't be the last time either. [SOURCE]

So, the Senate has cleared the path for Burris to be seated. Harry Reid was positively gushing with fake praise, followed closely by Dick Durbin, and we all lived happily ever after. I will say that if Durbin likes Burris, that gives me pause. Dick Durbin is one of the better politicians in Congress right now. Honestly, I don't see what the big deal is with Burris to begin with; Burris does seem to have the qualifications to be a Senator, and I'd be careful if I were anyone in government, just how far they smear Rod Blagojevich. If Burris is "tainted" by the Blago Scandal, isn't Obama? He is certainly just as intrinsically connected to the situation as Burris, likely more. It is Obama's former Senate seat in question, and both he and Rahm Emanuel had a lot more to do with the process than it seems Burris did. I'm sure the President-elect is acutely aware of the potential problems further agitation of the Blago-Burris melodrama could bring onto himself, which is why he is bringing the hammer down on Reid and the Senate to conclude the matter in a friendly way.