The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Chicago

The scandal surrounding the senate seat of president-elect Barack Obama looked set to shadow his first months in office after prosecutors asked for more time to bring charges against the governor accused of trying to sell the coveted post.

The motion came a day after Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich defied Democratic party leaders by appointing a respected African American statesman to the vacated seat. Senate Democrats have vowed to block the appointment, saying former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris would "serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," but it is unclear if they have the legal right to do so.

Burris vowed Wednesday not to "create a scene" in Washington but showed his determination to fight for the seat by filing suit with the Illinois Supreme Court in an attempt to force the secretary of state to certify his appointment papers.

"The secretary of state cannot veto an action by simply not signing the document," Burris said. "He doesn't have that authority. He must do his job."

Senate Democrats were at work on contingency plans that included having armed guards ready to block Burris from entering the senate floor without certification and preventing him from casting votes until the conclusion of a lengthy investigation by the rules committee.