Defiant Ill. governor fills Obama's Senate seat

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-31 11:26

CHICAGO -- A defiant Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday named a black political trailblazer to Barack Obama's Senate seat, a surprise move that put the governor's opponents in the uncomfortable position of trying to block his choice from becoming the Senate's only black member.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (R) announces former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris (L) as his choice to fill the vacant US Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama during a news conference in Chicago, Illinois, December 30, 2008. [Agencies]

Blagojevich's appointment of former state Attorney General Roland Burris injected race into the drama surrounding the embattled governor, who repeatedly sought to distance his selection from charges that he tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

"Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint a good and honest man," the governor said, turning to the smiling 71-year-old standing by his side.

"This is about Roland Burris as a US senator, not about the governor who made the appointment."

US Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) (C) speaks as Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (L) and former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris (R) look on after Blagojevich appointed Burris as his choice to fill the vacant US Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama during a news conference in Chicago, Illinois, December 30, 2008. [Agencies]

Burris was the first African-American elected to major statewide office in Illinois, serving as comptroller and running for governor three times -- the last time losing to Blagojevich.

He said he has no connection to the charges against Blagojevich, who was arrested earlier this month.

Even before the announcement, which was leaked several hours before, the governor's move ran into opposition.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said Tuesday he will not do so. And Senate leaders reiterated that they would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich.

In a statement Tuesday, Senate Democrats maintained that Blagojevich should not make the appointment because doing so would be unfair to Burris and to the people of Illinois.

"It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. 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," the statement said.

"Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic caucus."

Obama struck the same tone.

"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, 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," the president-elect said in a statement.

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