Obama can only shake head at 'corrupt governor'
Barack Obama to nominate former Senate leader Tom Daschle as secretary of health and human services
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Thursday, 11, Dec 2008 04:59
Barack Obama continues to be "appalled and disappointed" by the alleged corrupt behaviour of Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
Speaking at a press conference to unveil his nomination for health secretary - Tom Daschle – the president-elect was again bombarded by questions over the scandal.
Since it emerged that Mr Blagojevich had been accused of trying to sell Mr Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder, journalists have been examining any potential links to the president-elect or his team.
But Mr Obama said he had never spoken to Mr Blagojevich over the controversy and was "confident" his representatives had not done so either, although he has instructed his team to gather all details of any contact with the governor.
"The Senate seat does not belong to any politician... it belongs to the people of Illinois," he said in Chicago.
"They deserve to know that any vacancy will be filled in an appropriate way, that whoever is in Washington is fighting for the people of Illinois.
"All I can do is listen to the transcripts and shake my head."
At the press conference former Senate leader Mr Daschle, 61, was named as Mr Obama's latest Cabinet pick.
Mr Daschle, from South Dakota, will be tasked with making good on Mr Obama's affordable healthcare promises and pushing reform through Congress.
Delivering healthcare to the 45 million Americans who lack insurance was a key aspect of Mr Obama's victorious presidential campaign against Republican nominee John McCain.