Progress Illinois

Yesterday, Sen. Dick Durbin recorded a statement in response to Gov. Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to Illinois vacant U.S. Senate seat.  He describes it as an "act of political defiance" and asserts that the selection "is going nowhere."  Listen:

Internal mp3

Transcript below:

DURBIN: What I'm about to say is not a reflection on Roland Burris.  I've known him for many years.  I've worked with him when he was our state comptroller and state attorney general.  He has a long record of public service in the State of Illinois.  But it was a mistake today for Gov. Blagojevich to try to appoint Roland Burris to fill the Senate vacancy.  It is an act of political defiance. 

On September the 10th, the Senate Democratic Caucus -- all 50 Senate Democrats in Washington -- sent a letter to Gov. Blagojevich making it clear that we will not seat his appointment to fill this vacancy.  The reason is obvious. Because of the criminal complaint pending against him, arguing that he is guilty of corruption in filling this seat, because of his pending impeachment hearings, the fact that the evidence against him is in his own voice and his own words, it is clear that Rod Blagojevich has forfeited his moral authority to fill this vacancy.

There's only one step he can take now, for this state and to make sure this Senate seat is filled in the proper way: Step aside as the governor of this state.  Allow the lieutenant governor to assume his constitutional responsibilities of filling this vacancy to make sure that our great state has two senators working in Washington.

This effort today will lead nowhere.

(H/T Politico)