Pure comedy:

“WASHINGTON – Roland Burris and Democratic Party leaders headed toward a symbolic showdown at the door of the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as the former Illinois attorney general presses his claim to a disputed seat.

Burris said in an interview Monday evening that he intends to try to walk onto the Senate floor to be sworn in with incoming senators when the Senate convenes Tuesday despite declarations from party leaders that they will prevent the 71-year-old, longtime politician from entering the legislative body’s ornate chamber.

The imagery of authorities stopping a graying African-American man at the threshold of political power promises to be a moment of high drama in a controversy that has joined the complicated politics of race with the sensational corruption scandal swirling around Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The governor, undeterred by criminal charges that he sought to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, picked Burris last week.

But with Burris and Senate leaders balancing determination to hold their ground against a wish to avoid generating too much heat, the face-off will be choreographed.”

Oh, but I’ll bet it will get on Youtube and when it does, I have it here. The big question is whether or not the “party of racism” will cave to the pressure.

UPDATE: The Party of Racism speaks.

“Roland Burris, the appointee of embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, was denied entry to the Senate chambers Tuesday as he tried to claim the seat once held by President-elect Barack Obama.

Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris makes his way to the Capitol on Tuesday.

Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris makes his way to the Capitol on Tuesday.

Reporters swarmed Burris and documented his every step as he made his way through the Capitol and into the office of the secretary of the Senate on the first day of the 111th Congress.

CNN’s Dana Bash described the scene as a “madhouse.”

In a news conference before a flock of observers and reporters, Burris said the secretary of the Senate told him his credentials were “not in order” and therefore he would not be allowed access to the floor.

Video:

h/t Hot Air