Blago Names Burris; Senate Dems Say 'No Way'

Rod Blagojevich announced today that former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris will fill Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat, the Chicago Tribune reports. Blagojevich said Burris was a man of "unquestioned integrity" and asked that people not allow "the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man." Meanwhile, Senate Democrats released a statement reiterating Harry Reid’s warning that no Blagojevich pick would be seated.

"Anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois," the statement read, and "will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus.” The statement stressed that “this is not about Mr. Burris.” Illinois' secretary of state has also refused to co-sign the necessary documents. “Because of the current cloud of controversy surrounding the governor,” he said, “I cannot accept the document.” (More Rod Blagojevich stories.)