Day 42: Illinois governor arrested
Updated on 10 December 2008
Tuesday 9 December 2008: The man with the power to appoint Obama's successor in Senate is arrested for conspiring to sell the seat.
Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested for what prosecutors called "a political corruption crime spree" for allegedly looking to give the seat to the highest bidder.
He was also accused of demanding payouts for government contracts and lucrative jobs and appointment.
The prosecutor emphasized that the criminal complaint made "no allegation" that president-elect Barack Obama was involved or aware of any schemes.
Blagojevich was released on bail after appearing before a federal judge and being required to pay $4500.
Blagojevich was elected in 2002 after vowing to reform the culture of corruption surrounding his predecessor, Republican George Ryan, who is currently serving more than six years in prison for corruption.
Barack Obama and Al Gore at the transition team HQ in Chicago (Reuters)
Meanwhile it was business as usual for the Obama transition team. Obama and his vice president Joe Biden met with the man who lost the presidential race to George W. Bush in 2000, former Vice President Al Gore, to discuss energy and climate policy.
After the meeting, Obama said: "All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over, the time for denial is over.
"This is a matter of urgency and national security...[but] it is not only a problem, it is also an opportunity.
"We have the opportunity now to create jobs all across this country in all 50 states to repower America, to redesign how we use energy and think about how we are increasing efficiency to make our economy stronger, make us more safe, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make us competitive for decades to come - even as we save the planet."
