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December 31, 2008

Obama Senate Seat Replacement Named by Embattled Governor
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2140E43:A6F02AD83191E1606A48AF16A4AEFA94D937473925D9872C&
 
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich taps former state Attorney General
Roland Burris amid assertions by Senate Democrats that anyone chosen by
scandal-tainted governor would not be seated in Washington 
The embattled governor of the state of Illinois has named a replacement
for President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate. The surprise
announcement came amid assertions by Senate Democrats that anyone chosen
by the scandal-tainted governor would not be seated in Washington.
Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, right, speaks during a
news conference, as Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich looks on in Chicago,
30 Dec. 2008 Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich tapped former state
Attorney General Roland Burris to take the president-elect's Senate
seat. Speaking at a news conference, Blagojevich said he was fulfilling
his duty as governor and that the people of Illinois deserve to have
full representation in the U.S. Senate."The people of Illinois are
entitled to have two United States Senators represent them in Washington
DC," he said. "As governor, I am required to make this appointment. If I
don't make this appointment, then the people of Illinois will be
deprived of their appropriate voice and vote in the United States
Senate."Blagojevich was arrested earlier this month on federal
corruption charges, accused of attempting to sell the senate seat in
return for political favors. The governor has denied any wrongdoing.
Burris, an African-American, has served in positions in Illinois' state
government and run unsuccessfully for governor - including once against
Blagojevich. What happens next is unclear. Illinois' secretary of state
has said he will not certify the appointment, and leaders in the U.S.
Senate have said they will not seat anyone named by Blagojevich. A
statement by Senate Democrats called it "truly regrettable" that the
governor would appoint someone who "would serve under a shadow and be
plagued by questions of impropriety".With Mr. Obama's departure from the
chamber, the Senate currently has no African-American members. State
governors are tasked with appointing replacements for senators and
members of Congress who resign,!
  are removed from office or die.