Obama 'certain' of no link to corruption

12 Dec 2008, 11:49 am   -   Source: AAP
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US president-elect Barack Obama says he is "absolutely certain" no one close to him was involved with a governor's alleged attempt to sell his US Senate seat.

President-elect Barack Obama says he is "absolutely certain" no one close to him was involved with the Illinois governor's alleged attempt to sell his vacant US Senate seat, and vowed to release the results of an internal review in a matter of days.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges that he put Obama's seat up for bidding. The governor has ignored calls for his resignation and retains the power to appoint Obama's replacement.

Nothing in the federal complaint suggests any wrongdoing by Obama or his staff. But the accusations against Blagojevich are an unwelcome distraction to Obama's transition, bringing fresh attention to some of the unsavoury characters that have connections, however distant, to Obama and to questions of whether he can follow through on his message of change and clean government.

Blagojevich, meanwhile, went to work in his Chicago office in what a spokesman described in an "upbeat, positive" mood. Blagojevich's lawyers have insisted he is innocent, and stressed that he still has important work to do for the state of Illinois. Spokesman Lucio Guerrero added that he doesn't know if Blagojevich will step down.

Illinois' attorney general threatened to go to the state Supreme Court to have the governor declared unfit to hold office if he doesn't resign soon or get impeached by state politicians.

"Obviously right now in the best of all possible worlds the governor would do what's right for the people of the state of Illinois, he would resign," state Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a longtime Blagojevich foe considering a run for governor in 2010, told The Associated Press.

But "at this point he appears to be staying put" and Madigan wants a signal from politicians about whether they will move quickly on impeachment proceedings.

Legislative leaders, including Madigan's father, House Speaker Michael Madigan, planned a special session Monday to strip Blagojevich of his power to pick a new US senator. Politicians also prepared to discuss the possibility of impeachment.

The White House on Thursday said President George W Bush finds Blagojevich's alleged behaviour "astounding". Obama said he was "as appalled and disappointed as anybody".

Aiming to put to rest any questions about involvement by any of his staff, Obama said he never spoke to Blagojevich about the choosing of his successor. He also for the first time addressed the issue of whether his transition staff had any contacts.

"I am confident that no representatives of mine would have any part of any deals related to this seat," Obama said. "I think the materials released by the US attorney reflect that. I have asked my team to gather the facts of any contacts with the Governor's staff about this (Senate) vacancy so we can share them with you. And we will do that in the next few days."

As to whether any aides were involved in Blagojevich's alleged deal making schemes, he said he was "absolutely certain" they were not.

Obama called again on Blagojevich to resign.

"I think the public trust has been violated," he said. "I do not think that the governor at this point can effectively serve the people of Illinois."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn said the impeachment process should begin when the state Legislature convenes and if politicians do not take action, he would support Madigan going to the Supreme Court.

"The Legislature should focus on the source of the problem," Quinn said. "The governor is in office and he needs to be removed from office. ... I think that is what the people of Illinois want."

Quinn strongly criticised the possibility of a special election to fill Obama's seat, saying it could take months, leaving Illinois with just one senator in Washington.

He said it would be better if Blagojevich were removed so Quinn becomes governor and can name a senator. Quinn said he has not spoken to potential Senate appointees and does not have a short list of candidates.

The prospect that the second-term Democratic governor might still try to appoint someone to the Senate also loomed.

"He appears to listen to no one, and his conduct becomes more outrageous as time goes on," said Steve Brown, spokesman for Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Four House Democrats sent a letter to their colleagues on Thursday seeking support for a motion to impeach Blagojevich. The letter asks members to indicate whether they oppose the idea or support it, or even whether they want to co-sponsor the motion.

On Tuesday, FBI agents arrested Blagojevich at his home and prosecutors released a thick document that included excerpts of wire tapped conversations in which the governor allegedly schemed to enrich himself by offering to sell Obama's Senate seat for campaign cash or a lucrative job.

They also alleged he pressured the Tribune Co to fire editorial writers at the Chicago Tribune after several negative editorials about Blagojevich.

Blagojevich is charged with conspiracy and solicitation to commit bribery, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and 10 years, respectively.

But it was unclear what incentive the governor had to give up his office.

A resignation might make him appear guilty. The office also gives him a certain amount of clout, which can help him raise money for his defence.

Republican Senator Christine Radogno said it is possible Blagojevich would use his resignation as a bargaining chip with prosecutors and agree to step down in exchange for leniency.

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