He was invited to come in and watch the swearing in ceremony, just not participate in it. And Al Frankin isn't being sworn in yet, even though he has been certified by his sec. of state as winning his election, while Burris does not yet have the required sign-off from the Illinois sec. of state.
Technicalities that virtually nobody will notice.
What matters most is whats seen on the TV and Internets.
Black man...in the rain, with the press, showing up for work and kept out of the Capitol.
With this whole thing Blago went from feeling the cold metal of handcuffs to pulling the strings of the puppets.
Brilliance.