POLITICS IN BRIEF

Ill. pick faces Senate battle

Democratic leaders plan to grant few if any privileges next week to Roland Burris, the man picked by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate, even if he arrives on Capitol Hill with the right credentials.

Senate officials said Friday that a Democrat will object to Burris being duly sworn with the rest of his class, and propose that his credentials be reviewed by the Rules Committee.

The only way Burris will be allowed on the floor is if he possesses a certification of appointment signed personally by his embattled patron, Blagojevich, and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Burris would then be treated as a senator-elect, allowed on the Senate floor without voting or speaking privileges.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked Blagojevich’s access to classified federal security information, agency spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said. The governor was arrested last month on federal corruption charges; he denies wrongdoing.

Schools chief likely Senate-bound

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to name Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill a Senate vacancy that will be created by the promotion of Sen. Ken Salazar to interior secretary in the Obama administration.

One person close to the governor who is in a position to know and another in the Democratic Party said Bennet is Ritter’s choice. Both spoke on condition of anonymity. Ritter scheduled a press conference for today to introduce his pick.

Bennet is former chief of staff for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who encouraged him to apply for the superintendent job. If appointed to the Senate, Bennet would face an election to retain the seat in 2010.

Minnesota election drags on

A top Senate Republican said Friday his caucus would block any attempt to seat the winner of Minnesota’s close election until an anticipated court case is finished and an official election certificate is issued.

Pending the counting of hundreds of unopened absentee ballots, Democrat Al Franken holds a 49-vote lead over incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, whose term expires at noon today.

Minnesota’s other senator, Democrat Amy Klobuchar, has said the man with the most votes after the recount concludes should be seated while legal matters play out. Franken hasn’t discussed his intentions.

A court challenge and possible appeals could keep the Franken-Coleman contest unsettled for several months.

Hundreds of uncounted absentee ballots are due to be opened and examined today, and the Canvassing Board had hoped to wrap up its work by Tuesday.

Obamas stop at home after vacation

President-elect Barack Obama and his family will fly to Washington on Sunday after their holiday vacation in Hawaii and a stopover in Chicago.

Obama is to meet with congressional leaders Monday, according to a senior Democratic congressional aide. He is also scheduled to talk with President George W. Bush and former presidents at the White House on Wednesday.

Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their children left his native Hawaii on Thursday after a 12-day vacation and flew to Chicago, arriving early Friday.

Senate finished, House to follow

The Senate has adjourned for the year at last. But a new Senate will be back on Tuesday. It took Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) all of 27 seconds on Friday to bring an end to the Senate for the 110th Congress. The House is set to adjourn today.