Obama distances himself from Illinois Governor Blagojevich

New York, Dec 12 (ANI): President-elect Barack Obama has distanced himself from the political scandal swirling around Governor Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois, saying that he never talked to the governor about who would replace Obama in the Senate.

Obama added that he was "absolutely certain" his staff was not involved in any deal-making regarding his successor, The New York Times reported.

"That would be a violation of everything that this campaign has been about," he said at a news conference in Chicago.

Obama said he was gathering an account of any contacts between his staff and the Blagojevich administration, and promised to release those details in the next few days. But he said his staff had acted appropriately.

"Our office had no involvement in any deal-making around my Senate seat - that, I'm absolutely certain of," he said.

In his first extended remarks about the unfolding scandal, Obama said he was "appalled and disappointed" by accusations that Blagojevich, a Democrat, tried to profit from his power to fill the Senate seat vacated by Obama after he won the presidency.

"I think the public trust has been violated," Obama said. "I do not think that the governor at this point can effectively serve the people of Illinois. I hope that the governor comes to the conclusion that he can no longer effectively serve, and that he does resign." (ANI)