Reid: Illinois governor distorting phone call

By Lisa Mascaro

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 | 8:11 p.m.

Updated story: Reid fires back on Obama replacement appointees

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said this evening that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is leaking and distorting a telephone conversation between the two to distract from accusations that the governor tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat.

A story in today’s Chicago Sun-Times reported that in the days before the governor’s arrest last month, Reid called Blagojevich to discuss potential appointees for the seat, suggesting some and rejecting others, including two sitting congressmen and a state senate leader Reid believes may not be able to retain the seat in a future election.

Reid’s office told the Sun-Times the call was routine, as Reid had contacted the governors in New York and Colorado where Senate seats are also open.

But Republicans have seized on the story to question Reid’s intent, as Republicans would prefer a special election believing they have a shot at winning the seat.

In a statement tonight, Reid said the governor “appears to be trying to distract attention from his daunting legal problems and damaged credibility by distorting information about private phone calls between himself and other public officials. It is regrettable and reprehensible.”

Blagojevich has refused to resign despite calls from Democratic Party leaders to do so, and last week snubbed party officials by appointing former Attorney General Roland Burris to the seat. Reid has said he will block Burris from being sworn in on Tuesday and Obama has said the appointment should not stand.

Reid tonight said Blagojevich’s behavior shows he is unfit for office.

“Gov. Blagojevich’s efforts to try to tarnish others while the cloud of suspicion continues to grow over him are shameful, as are his efforts to further betray the public trust and sow seeds of division," Reid said. "As each day passes it becomes increasingly clear that Gov. Blagojevich is not fit to lead, and he should resign.”