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Governor picks Obama replacement Obama rejects Senate replacement
(about 1 hour later)
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has picked the state's former attorney general, Roland Burris, to fill Barack Obama's now-vacant Senate seat. Barack Obama says Democratic senators should reject the man proposed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to replace Mr Obama in the US Senate.
Mr Blagojevich is the subject of a criminal inquiry and has been charged with attempting to "sell" the seat. Mr Blagojevich is the subject of a criminal inquiry and has been charged with attempting to "sell" Mr Obama's now-vacant seat to the highest bidder.
Democratic Party leaders in the Senate have said they will refuse to seat anyone appointed by Mr Blagojevich. The governor defied pressure to pick Roland Burris, the state's former attorney general, to fill the position.
Barack Obama says he agrees that the US Senate "cannot accept" a new senator chosen by Mr Blagojevich. Democratic senators have vowed to veto anyone appointed by Mr Blagojevich.
Mr Burris, 71, became the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Illinois when he won the 1978 election to be state comptroller. The president-elect said he agreed the Senate "cannot accept" a new senator chosen by Mr Blagojevich, adding that Mr Blagojevich himself should resign.
Mr Blagojevich denies wrongdoing and has rejected previous calls for his resignation.
'Fine public servant'
Mr Burris, 71, became the first African-American to be elected to statewide office in Illinois when he won the 1978 election to be state comptroller. The Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat Barack Obama
He was state attorney general from 1991 to 1995 and made unsuccessful bids for the US Senate in 1984 and Illinois governor in 1994.He was state attorney general from 1991 to 1995 and made unsuccessful bids for the US Senate in 1984 and Illinois governor in 1994.
"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant," said Mr Obama, "but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat." "Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant," said Mr Obama.
"Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man," said Mr Blagojevich as he appeared with Mr Burris to announce his choice. "But the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision."
But the leader of the Democrats in the US Senate was not impressed. Appearing with Mr Burris to announce his choice, Mr Blagojevich said: "Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man."
"It is truly regrettable that... Governor Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," said Harry Reid. But Harry Reid, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate was not impressed.
"It is truly regrettable that... Governor Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," said Mr Reid.
"Anyone appointed by Governor Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and ... will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.""Anyone appointed by Governor Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and ... will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus."
'Pay-to-play' deals'Pay-to-play' deals
An internal review conducted by the Obama team concluded last week that neither the president-elect, nor his staff, had had any "inappropriate discussions" with Mr Blagojevich about who should fill the seat.An internal review conducted by the Obama team concluded last week that neither the president-elect, nor his staff, had had any "inappropriate discussions" with Mr Blagojevich about who should fill the seat.
Mr Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to "fight the false accusations" made by what he has termed a "political lynch mob". Mr Blagojevich has vowed to "fight the false accusations" made by what he has termed a "political lynch mob".
CHARGES AGAINST BLAGOJEVICH Federal agents say Mr Blagojevich Tried to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actionsTried to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of himTried to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator Profile: Rod Blagojevich The Illinois state legislature has formed a committee to investigate the possibility of impeaching Mr Blagojevich. CHARGES AGAINST BLAGOJEVICH Federal agents say Mr Blagojevich: Tried to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actionsTried to use state funds for the private purpose of inducing the Tribune Company to fire Chicago Tribune editorial board members critical of himTried to obtain personal financial benefits for himself in return for his appointment of a US senator Profile: Rod Blagojevich The Illinois state legislature has formed a committee to investigate the possibility of impeaching Mr Blagojevich.
There have been calls from many politicians, including Mr Obama, for the governor to step down.There have been calls from many politicians, including Mr Obama, for the governor to step down.
Mr Blagojevich was charged on 9 December with a number of offences including soliciting a bribe.Mr Blagojevich was charged on 9 December with a number of offences including soliciting a bribe.
The charges relate to a variety of corruption schemes in which the governor was allegedly involved, including so-called "pay to play" deals - the doling out of jobs, contracts and appointments in return for campaign contributions.The charges relate to a variety of corruption schemes in which the governor was allegedly involved, including so-called "pay to play" deals - the doling out of jobs, contracts and appointments in return for campaign contributions.
On the day of his arrest, investigators released transcripts of conversations between Mr Blagojevich and others intercepted by court-authorised wiretaps.On the day of his arrest, investigators released transcripts of conversations between Mr Blagojevich and others intercepted by court-authorised wiretaps.
In the conversations, the Democratic governor allegedly discussed offering Mr Obama's Senate seat in return for a well-paid position at a non-profit organisation or a group affiliated with trades unions, according to the affidavit.In the conversations, the Democratic governor allegedly discussed offering Mr Obama's Senate seat in return for a well-paid position at a non-profit organisation or a group affiliated with trades unions, according to the affidavit.