In a statement this afternoon, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias lambasted Gov. Blagojevich's selection of Roland Burris to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate:
The question here is not whether Roland Burris would make a good Senator. The question is whether Blagojevich should have the right to make the appointment. Regardless of whether he wanted to appoint Mother Theresa or Abraham Lincoln, I believe Blagojevich lost that right when he allegedly attempted to sell the Senate seat to the highest bidder. He abused his power and should lose his appointment power. ... In the best interest of the people of Illinois, I encourage Secretary of State White to refuse to certify the appointment.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky had a similar response. From WBEZ:








