Huffington Post picks up the story as Burris is refused.

“Roland Burris announced Tuesday he was rejected for Barack Obama's Senate seat, in a bizarre rainy-day scene on the Capitol grounds as lawmakers awaited the gaveling of the 111th Congress into session.

Standing amid a huge throng of reporters and television cameras in a cold and steady rain, Burris, 71, declared that he had been informed that "my credentials are not in order and will not be accepted." (Huffington Post)

According to the Wall Street Journal:

“Mr. Burris said his belief is that his appointment is constitutional and that "I have no knowledge of where a secretary of state has veto power over a governor carrying out his constitutional duties."

Mr. Burris declared, "I'm a United States senator" before leaving Chicago for Washington. However, he isn't and cannot be a senator unless he is administered the oath of office.” (Wall Street Journal)

The New York Times puts the situation into perspective:

“It was a spectacular demonstration of political gridlock at a time when the Democratic-controlled Congress has been eagerly awaiting Obama's inauguration while nervously anticipating tense work on a much-discussed stimulus program to steady the faltering economy.” (The New York Times)