Barack Obama: Statement by the President-Elect on the Appointment of Roland Burris to the United States Senate by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

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Statement by the President-Elect on the Appointment of Roland Burris to the United States Senate by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
December 30, 2008

G.W. Bush to Obama

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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.

Citation: John T. Woolley and Gerhard Peters, The American Presidency Project [online]. Santa Barbara, CA. Available from World Wide Web: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=85237.

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