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Blagojevich says don't hold him against Burris

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 1:39 PM CST

CHICAGO (AP) — Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says allegations about him shouldn't be held against Senate appointee Roland Burris.

Burris on Tuesday was denied President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat in the U.S. Senate because Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White won't certify Burris' appointment.

White has said he won't act on any appointment by Blagojevich in the wake of the governor's arrest last month on federal corruption charges.

Burris has asked the Illinois Supreme Court to force White to certify Blagojevich's appointment. His lawyers are also reviewing what they can do to force Democrats in the U.S. Senate to seat him.

Blagojevich called Burris a ``good and decent man'' in a statement Tuesday, and the governor says Illinois deserves full representation in the Senate.