Obama Sides with Reid: Don’t Seat Blago’s Pick

President-elect Barack Obama said today that Senate Democrats should not seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) pick to fill Obama’s vacant Senate seat, if Blagojevich moves forward and formally appoints him.

“Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it,” Obama said in a statement released by his press office.

Obama also issued his most forceful call yet for Blagojevich to resign. A previous statement, made by a spokesman, indicated that Blagojevich could not be effective in his post in light of the seat-selling scandal, but today Obama issued the call directly.

“I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy,” Obama said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this morning reiterated what he had said earlier this month: that the Senate Democratic Caucus unanimously opposes seating any appointment Blagojevich makes and that Burris, if appointed, will not be seated.