Obama “Saddened” by arrest of Illinois Governor Blagojevich

President-elect Barack Obama responds to the arrest of Illinois Governor Blagojevich.

President-elect Barack Obama said on Tuesday he was saddened by a corruption case involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and that he was not aware of Blagojevich’s alleged efforts to sell the Senate seat Obama had vacated. The governor was arrested earlier on Tuesday for allegedly seeking money from potential candidates for the U.S. Senate seat that Obama had held until he was elected. Talking to reporters after a meeting with former Vice President Al Gore, Obama said he was “saddened and sobered” by the case.

Asked if there had been contact by him or his staff with Blagojevich or his staff about the seat, Obama said: “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening. But as I said it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”

- from Reuters

President-elect Barack Obama says he is saddened by allegations that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to trade favors for Obama’s Senate seat — and says he had no contact with the governor or his office on the matter. – from AP

President-elect Barack Obama said he was “unaware” that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was trying to profit from his ability to name a successor to Obama’s U.S. Senate seat for the next two years. “I had no contact with the governor or his office,” Obama told reporters. He said he was “saddened and sobered” by Blagojevich’s arrest on federal charges Tuesday. – from Daily Herald