Blagojevich picks Obama replacement

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich appointed a successor to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat -- a seat the governor is charged with trying to sell.

Facing federal corruption charges-- and defying fellow Democrats, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich -- in an unexpected news conference -- appointed a successor to fill Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat -- a seat the governor is charged with trying to sell to the highest bidder.

SOUNDBITE: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich saying (English):

"To not fill the vacancy would be to deprive the people of Illinois of two United States senators, to deprive the people of Illinois of their appropriate voice and votes in the United States Senate."

Ignoring warnings from within his own party not to make an appointment, Blagojevich named former Illinois Attorney General and fellow Democrat -- 71-year-old Roland Burris.

SOUNDBITE: Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich saying (English):

"He will be a great United States senator. And now I'd like to ask everyone to do one last thing. Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man."

Burris, for his part, ignored the cloud that hangs over his appointment.

SOUNDBITE: Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris saying (English):

"I am humbled to have the opportunity, and promise the citizens that I will dedicate my utmost effort as their United States senator, and I will uphold the integrity of the office and ask for their continued confidence in me."

Complicating matters for Burris is that U.S. Senate Democratic leaders vowed on Tuesday to block the appointment, saying Burris would "serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety."

Jon Decker, Reuters.