Illinois’ embattled governor thumbed his nose at the U.S. Senate Democratic leadership that said it would block his choice and appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Illinois’ embattled governor thumbed his nose at the U.S. Senate Democratic leadership that said it would block his choice and appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
“The people of Illinois are entitled to have two United States senators represent them in Washington, D.C. As governor, I am required to make this appointment. To not fill the vacancy would be to deprive the people of Illinois of their appropriate voice,” Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Tuesday at a news conference in his Chicago office, less than two weeks after saying he would not appoint a successor.
Blagojevich had called Burris, whom he described as a “wise and distinguished senior statesman of Illinois,” Sunday to ask if he would accept the job.
Burris, 71, said with the sagging economy and other “challenges” Illinois residents face, the state couldn’t afford a “short handed” 111th Congress.
“We need leadership in Washington. I have faith in the record that I have forged over the last four decades. I accept this appointment. I welcome the challenge that awaits us,” said an enthusiastic Burris, who announced his interest in the seat a few days before Blagojevich’s arrest.
The FBI arrested the governor on Dec. 9 on bribery and fraud conspiracy charges, including trying to auction the Senate seat vacancy to the highest bidder. In a 76-page criminal complaint, several potential candidates for the seat were mentioned. Burris reportedly was not among them.
After Blagojevich’s arrest, several lawmakers quickly urged him to resign or temporarily step down, adding that any appointment by him would be tainted. The Illinois House began impeachment proceedings about two weeks ago. They resume next week.
Under state law, the governor must choose someone to serve as Obama’s replacement through the next federal election in 2010.
Blagojevich said his decision to go ahead with an appointment was the result of the Illinois General Assembly denying legislation for a special election.
“Please don’t let the allegations against me taint this good and honest man,” adding that Burris is a man with “unquestioned integrity.”
Burris, a native of Centralia, Ill. and a onetime mayoral candidate, was the first African American elected to a statewide office. In 1978, he became the state’s comptroller and then later the attorney general. He also made failed bids for the governor’s post, including the 2002 primary that Blagojevich won.
About an hour before Burris’ appointment, Senate Democratic leaders reiterated they would not seat any Blagojevich appointee.
“We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris’ 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,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Patty Murray, D-Wa., said in a statement.
Burris, who declined to comment about the governor’s legal woes, other than to say that he is “innocent until proven guilty,” said he would deal with the Senate’s assertion of not seating him when the time comes.
In the wake of the announcement, Obama and Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White also praised Burris’ accomplishments but agreed the appointment should not have been made while the governor is engulfed in political scandal.
“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, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy,” Obama said in a statement.
White said he would not honor the governor’s appointment.
“I have previously stated publicly I cannot co-sign a document that certifies any appointment by Gov. Rod Blagojevich for the vacant United States Senate seat from Illinois. Although I have respect for former Attorney General Roland Burris, because of the current cloud of controversy surrounding the governor, I cannot accept the document,” White said in a statement.
Burris tried vigorously to distance himself from the corruption scandal by driving home the fact that he has no connection with the charges against Blagojevich. But Burris’ business dealings quickly raised eyebrows for his contributions to the governor’s campaign within the last decade and for snagging a state contract four years ago.
According to state records, Burris’ private law practice made $20,296 in campaign contributions to Blagojevich, and his lobbying firm received a contract worth nearly $295,000 four years ago.
When asked by reporters if he thought there could be a possible connection between his contributions and his appointment, Burris said no and shrugged off any speculation of his appointment being tainted.
While several elected officials went on the record against the Senate seat appointment, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-1st, thanked the governor and said his “prayers” were answered.
The South Side congressman had publicly urged the governor to appoint an African American to fill the vacancy. If not, there would be no African Americans serving in the Senate.
Blagojevich, who said he was determined to stay out of the “limelight,” left reporters with a few last words, said earlier by Rush: “Don’t lynch the appointee as you castigate the appointer.”
“I am not guilty of any wrongdoing,” Blagojevich said.
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