Disgraced Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has sent a big “eff you” to U.S. Senate Democratic leadership and named political consultant Roland Burris as Barack Obama’s Senate replacement.
Though controversial, naming a replacement is still well within his rights as a sitting governor.
As y’all know, Blago has allegedly plotted to ‘sell off’ Obama’s vacant seat and has been urged by many political leaders to resign.
An impeachment committee has also been assembled to forcefully push Blago out.
No surprise, Democratic Senate leaders and Illinois’ Secretary of State have said they will fight to block the appointment.
Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate issued the following statement:
“It is truly regrettable that despite warning 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. We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris’s ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. 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.”
President-elect Obama has issued a statement in support of the Democratic leaders position:
├óΓé¼┼ôRoland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat.”
Illinois politics is a big hot mess!
[Image via AP Images.]
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