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Obama Wants Blagojevich To Step Down As Illinois Governor

by Can Tran | December 10, 2008 at 02:13 pm

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US President-Elect Barack Obama has weighed in on the situation with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was charged with trying to sell Obama's US Senate Seat. Upon winning the US Presidency, Obama resigned his seat for the Senate. Amidst the controversy, Obama has said that Blagojevich needs to step down from office.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama called on Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign on Wednesday after he was charged with trying to sell Obama's U.S. Senate seat and swap favors for money.

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said Blagojevich needed to step down because "under the current circumstances it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois."

Moves boiled up within Obama's home state of Illinois to strip Blagojevich of the power to make the appointment he allegedly tried to barter, either by driving him from office through legal means or letting voters fill the Senate seat with a special election.

Obama, who takes office on January 20, resigned from the Senate after winning the November 4 presidential election.

Blagojevich showed no sign of stepping down after he was arrested at home before dawn on Tuesday and then released on his own recognizance without having to post bail.