Roland Burris took his seat as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate on Thursday, ending a dispute that embarrassed the president-elect and fellow Democrats who initially resisted the appointment by impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Vice President Dick Cheney administered the oath of office to the former Illinois attorney general who takes Obama's place as the Senate's only African-American member. Burris was seated more than a week after his colleagues were sworn in. He received a warm welcome Thursday that contrasted sharply with last week's treatment, when Burris arrived at the Capitol but was turned away by Senate leaders who argued that Burris' appointment was not valid. However, Senate leaders ultimately changed course under pressure from Obama and Democratic voters who worried that the situation was distracting from more important matters.
