Obama urges Illinois governor to resign

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-11-2008 14:24

US President-elect Barack Obama has called on the governor of Illinois to resign, after he was charged with trying to sell Obama's Senate seat and swap favors for money.

(L-R) Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, president-elect Barack Obama and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley watch a video during a rally in Chicago in this April 16, 2007 file photo.(John Gress/Files/Reuters)

Governor Rod Blago-jevich showed no sign of stepping down after he was arrested at home on Tuesday and released without having to post bail. Obama's spokesman,

Robert Gibbs, says Blagojevich must resign because it is now difficult for him to do his job effectively and serve the people of Illinois.

There are mounting calls within Obama's home state of Illinois to strip the Governor of the power to make the Senate appointment he allegedly tried to barter.

This could be done either by driving him from office through legal means, or by letting voters fill the Senate seat with a special election.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei