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Moffitt: "Nothing Wrong with Burris, Just Governor"
A local lawmaker says he, like most people, probably wouldn't dispute the qualifications of the man Governor Rod Blagojevich has picked to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, but he says he would dispute the Governor even making the pick at all.

74th District State Representative Don Moffitt says for the most part, Roland Burris is a well-respected man in Illinois politics, and has a lot of credibility throughout the state.

But Moffitt tells WGIL none of that is the point of why he's unhappy with Blagojevich's announcement Tuesday. "The appointment should not happen at this time by a Governor who...is under investigation by a House committee on impeachment, and a federal investigator," Moffitt said. "Any appointment that the Governor would make at this time, really is one that you would consider tainted, and one that would not serve the people well."

Moffitt says he doesn't necessarily believe the media is castigating Blagojevich for making the decision, as the Governor claimed Tuesday during his press conference as heard live on WGIL, saying that it would have been better had Blagojevich decided to resign or step aside, and let Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn make the pick.

Congressman Phil Hare has issued a statement regarding the selection. He says he's sorry Burris entered the national media spotlight, "under the taint of Governor Blagojevich's appointment."

Hare says as much as he likes Roland Burris, the appointment can't stand.
12 30 08 by Newsroom
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