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M. Continuo

Obama says Senate cannot accept Blagojevich appointment


    KAILUA, Hawaii (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama said on Tuesday he agreed that Senate Democrats "cannot accept" any move by Illinois' scandal-tarred governor to name a replacement for Obama's Senate seat.

    Obama said he was disappointed that Gov. Rod Blagojevich -- who has been accused of trying to sell the vacant Senate seat -- had appointed former state attorney general Roland Burris to fill the vacancy.

    "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," Obama said in a statement, adding that he agreed with this position.

    "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."

    (Editing by Jackie Frank)