President-elect Obama said through a spokesman that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) should resign.
Press secretary Robert Gibbs also said in a statement Wednesday that Obama believes his successor in the Senate should be determined in a special election, not by a gubernatorial appointment.
“The President-elect agrees with Lt. Governor [Pat] Quinn and many others that under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois,” Gibbs said.
Gibbs continued: “The President-elect believes that the General Assembly should consider the issue and put in place a process to select a new senator that will have the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois.”