(via CNN)

I was writing a post earlier called "Free Roland Burris" because Harry Reid has turned this whole episode into a bad joke and an embarrassment, but it now looks like he will be seated and fast.

CNN's Dana Bash is reporting that Roland Burris will finally be seated after she read a few statements from the Democratic leadership in the Senate (haha). Even Dick Cheney will be there swearing him in. It was pretty cold to leave him standing in the rain last week after it was apparent that this was the only card left the Dems had left to play.

So the national joke is finally coming to an end.

Susie Madrak says:

It's not as if they had a choice. There's really no legal basis to deny him the seat:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Illinois senior senator and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin said Monday that the Senate would accept the credentials of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.

The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate Rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat. In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment," the two said in a statement.

"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the statement said. "Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."