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Choice for Obama's senate seat upsets applecart
Source: Agencies |
January 1, 2009, Thursday
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A DEFIANT Governor 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.
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 by his side. "This is about Roland Burris as a US senator, not about the governor who made the appointment."
Burris was the first African-American elected to a major state 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 beforehand, the governor's move ran into opposition. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said on Tuesday he would not do so. And senate leaders reiterated that they would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich.
In a statement on 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, 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," the statement said.
Senate leaders, who were scattered for holidays, immediately convened a conference call.
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 by his side. "This is about Roland Burris as a US senator, not about the governor who made the appointment."
Burris was the first African-American elected to a major state 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 beforehand, the governor's move ran into opposition. Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who must certify the appointment, said on Tuesday he would not do so. And senate leaders reiterated that they would not accept anyone appointed by Blagojevich.
In a statement on 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, 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," the statement said.
Senate leaders, who were scattered for holidays, immediately convened a conference call.
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