Obama Softens Stance on Burris

By Anne E. Kornblut
President-elect Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would accept Roland Burris as his replacement in the Senate, following the lead of Senate Democrats who have softened their opposition to the candidate chosen by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"This is a Senate matter. But I know Roland Burris, obviously; he's from my home state. I think he's a fine public servant. If he gets seated then I'm going to work with Roland Burris, just like I work with all the other senators," Obama said at a press conference at his transition headquarters.

Obama, on just his fourth day in Washington, refused again to discuss the ongoing violence in the Middle East, saying there are "institutional constraints" preventing him from weighing in while President Bush is still in office. But, drawing a distinction between foreign and domestic policy, Obama put down clear markers on his economic plan. He appointed Nancy Killefer as his first chief performance officer, a new position designed to make the federal government more efficient.
Obama said Killefer is "uniquely qualified" for the task, given her business sector background streamlining workplace processes and seeking inefficiencies that can be eliminated. He said she had "worked tirelessly" to encourage creativity and initiative among employees in the past, and said he would encourage his cabinet officials and other administration managers to meet with Killefer.

Killefer spoke after Obama, saying she was "deeply honored" to become the first person to hold the position, and acknowledged that the task of bringing about greater efficiencies would take time. "The people who deliver those services, the government employees themselves, will be central to this effort," she said, echoing Obama's remarks that the federal work force itself would be the key to enhancing government performance.