Blagojevich Names Former AG Burris As Obama's Successor

3 years ago

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The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the scandal-plagued governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich has gone ahead and named former state Atty. Gen. Roland Burris as Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Shortly after Obama's Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich's arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor's support.

Burris is 71 years old. He ran unsuccessfully for the Senate seat in 1984, when he was beaten by Paul Simon.

A news conference is scheduled for 2 pm Illinois time.

UPDATE: This might not be so easy for Burris. The current AG of Illinois, Jesse White, says he'll reject Blagojevich's pick, and indeed any paperwork that the governor sends his way regarding the vacant Senate seat. White says Blago's just too toxic right now.

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Filed Under: Barack Obama, Breaking News, 2008 Senate

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