Politicians react to Blagojevich's selection of Burris for U.S. Senate seat

Here is a sampling of the reaction to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's selection of Roland Burris to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy resulting from the election of President-elect Barack Obama:

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.: "(Burris) has a long record of public service in the state of Illinois. But it was a mistake (Tuesday) for Gov. Blagojevich to try to appoint Roland Burris to fill the Senate vacancy. It is an act of political defiance."

U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, D-Rock Island: "The allegations against our governor and his unprecedented arrogance should not take anything away from Roland's strong qualifications for the Senate. But the appointment cannot stand. Ideally, the governor will resign or be impeached so Lt. Gov. (Pat) Quinn can make the appointment.”

Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a Democrat: "By refusing to resign and attempting to make this appointment, the governor leaves Illinois in terrible situation. As I have said since his arrest, I believe the governor should resign immediately."

Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat: "Gov. Blagojevich's actions today demonstrate an even greater need for the General Assembly to move quickly with impeachment proceedings and remove him from office. Regardless of whether he wanted to appoint Mother Teresa 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."

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, did not want to comment, a spokesman said.

House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego: "I don't think the governor should be making any appointment to any office. It shouldn't have happened, and it should not happen. We have to avoid any appearance of impropriety. This just adds to the further woes of the state and the stain of the state."

Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, a member of the House committee considering whether to recommend Blagojevich's impeachment: "I think the timing was ill-advised. I think it will anger people on the impeachment committee."

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Andy McKenna: "Illinois Republicans were the first to demand Rod Blagojevich have nothing to do with appointing our next United States senator. Because they went back on their word and refused to strip Blagojevich of his appointment power and pass a special election, Illinois Democrats have created yet another constitutional crisis for Illinois."

Jay Stewart, executive director, Better Government Association: "This is the governor thumbing his nose at the U.S. attorney, the people of Illinois, the General Assembly and the United States Senate. This is just an attempt by him to demonstrate he is still the governor and pretend he is still legitimate and has authority."

U.S. Senate Democratic leaders Harry Reid of Nevada, Dick Durbin, Patty Murray of Washington and Charles Schumer of New York, in a joint statement: "It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic Senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety.  This is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat."