Obama 'certain' staff did not scheme

CHICAGO - President-elect Barack Obama tried yesterday to clear himself and his staff of any taint connected with charges that Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois put Obama's former US Senate seat up for sale, declaring that he had never spoken to Blagojevich about the vacancy and was "absolutely certain" his staff had no involvement with the alleged deal-making.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday, accused of trying to use his authority to choose Obama's replacement to barter for campaign cash or a lucrative job inside or outside government.

"I was appalled and disappointed as anybody," Obama said in his most detailed remarks yet about the scandal that threatens to distract his smoothly running transition. "This Senate seat does not belong to any politician to trade. It belongs to the people of Illinois, and they deserve the best possible representation.

"They also deserve to know that any vacancy will be filled in an appropriate way so that whoever is sent to Washington is going to be fighting for the people of Illinois. I hope and expect that the leaders of the Legislature will take these steps to ensure that this is so," he added.

Aiming to put to rest persistent questions about whether any of his staff members were involved in Blagojevich's alleged schemes, Obama categorically denied that they talked to the governor about the seat. "That I know for certain," Obama said.

He also for the first time addressed the issue of whether his transition staff had any contacts. He did not offer a definitive denial, announcing instead an investigation to "gather all the facts," and promising to disclose the findings in the next few days.

But he was definitive that his staff had no connection to the alleged deal-making. "That would be a violation of everything this campaign has been about. That's not how we do business," he said.

Nothing in the federal complaint suggests any wrongdoing by Obama or his staff, and Obama pointed out that Blagojevich was taped complaining - sometimes in vulgar terms - that Obama and his team wouldn't get involved in deal-making.

Obama also said neither he nor his transition team has been contacted by any federal officials about the case or have been part of the ongoing investigation.

"The public trust has been violated," he said, repeating his call for Blagojevich to step down. "I do not think that the governor at this point can effectively serve the people of Illinois."

"I hope that the governor himself comes to the conclusion that he can no longer effectively serve and that he does resign," Obama said.

Republicans, however, seeing an opportunity to sully Obama, said they remain unsatisfied and unimpressed by his denials.

"President-elect Barack Obama continues to provide less than forthcoming answers to simple questions related to Governor Rod Blagojevich," Robert M. Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said in a statement. "While it is encouraging that the president-elect has stated his office will disclose contacts with the scandal-ridden governor, it remains disappointing that his actions are in response to political pressure. Americans expect the highest degree of transparency from their elected leaders, rather than promises of openness on the campaign trail."