Although members of the U.S. Senate have denounced his appointment to President-elect Obama’s former Senate seat, Roland Burris told reporters that “I am the junior senator according to every law book in the nation.”

According to the New York Times, Burris’ comments came during a press conference at Chicago’s Midway airport before the he hopped a flight to Baltimore yesterday. 

The candidate’s self-assurance was almost amusing considering the fact that Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has refused to sign the paperwork that would officially send him to the U.S. Senate.  Burris’ candidacy has also been panned by Senate majority leader Harry Reid and the President-elect himself.   Nonetheless, at 10:30 a.m. today, Burris will show up at the U.S. Senate.  

In a phone interview with The Hill.com, Burris said, “We're going to go up to the [Senate] door, and if we're turned away, then we'll document all of that and consult our lawyers.”

CNN reported that an aide to Nancy Erickson, Secretary of the United States Senate, said that Burris’ certificate of appointment had been rejected by her as well because though it was signed by Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, who nominated him, it did not have White’s signature, which is required for any candidate’s full approval.

Blagojevich unveiled Burris as the heir to Obama’s vacant seat last week, despite assurances from members of the Senate that any replacement that came from the governor would be rejected after the governor’s arrest on federal charges of conspiring to commit fraud and soliciting bribery.   Blagojevich was recorded chatting it up about the alleged scheme on a wiretapped call last month.