In defiance of U.S. senators who said they would not seat his pick, Gov. Rod Blagojevich today selected former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to succeed President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.Blagojevich praised Burris for his "unquestioned integrity" and "extensive experience," calling him a senior statesman. "Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man," Blagojevich said.
Burris, who accepted the appointment, said he would next deal with the U.S. Senate's statement that it would not seat him. "Faced with these challenges and challenged with these crises, it is incomprehensible that the people of the great state of Illinois will enter the 111th Congress short handed," Burris said. "We need leadership in Washington."
Burris said he spoke with Blagojevich Sunday night. "I was asked if he would appoint me would I accept and the answer is yes," said Burris, who offered no comment on the governor's legal situation.
Blagojevich said he moved to appoint Burris after the General Assembly declined to approve legislation for a special election to find a new U.S. senator. "To not fill the vacancy would be to deprive the people of Illinois of their appropriate voice" in the U.S. Senate, Blagojevich said.
Burris said he accepted the appointment because the nation is at a crossroads. "Faced with these challenges and challenged with these crises, it is incomprehensible that the people of the great state of Illinois will enter the 111th Congress short handed. "We need leadership in Washington."
"I have faith in the record that I have forged over the last four decades. I accept this appointment," Burris said.
Blagojevich's news conference came less than an hour after U.S. Senate Democratic leadership issued a statement saying the Senate will not seat anyone the governor chooses to fill Illinois' vacant Senate post. The statement also is signed by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who has repeatedly urged Blagojevich not to name a replacement for the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.