Obama announces resignation from Senate seat
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/13/art.bowave1113.ap.jpg caption="Sen. Obama is giving up his seat in the Senate."]
(CNN) - President-elect Barack Obama has announced that he will officially resign his Senate seat as of this Sunday.
“It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate,” he said in a statement released by his campaign Thursday.
“In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who’ve taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children’s future. It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation’s next President.”
Obama’s Senate office will close sometime within the next two months. His Senate staff will spend that time coordinating with his replacement, advising constituents with open requests, and archiving documents for Obama’s presidential library.
Several Illinois Democrats - including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, a former congressional candidate who now serves in Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration – have been mentioned as possible Senate replacements for Obama.
Blagojevich, who will appoint Obama’s successor, announced last week that he was assembling a panel to vet likely candidates. Obama’s replacement would be up for re-election in 2010.
Vice president-elect Joe Biden – who was also re-elected to his Delaware Senate seat on November 4 - told an interviewer several weeks ago that he would resign when he's sworn in as vice president in January.
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Here's to a new chapter in Obama's life and America's future.
I hope the seat goes to Jesse Jackson Jr.
A great senator who will make a great president. Mr President, the best wishes to you and your beloved family.
Good Luck Barack.....god go with you!!
he needs to resignate from president elect too, america doesnt need a inexperienced empty suit socialist.
"inexperienced" is what biden said
"empty suit" is what hillary said
"socialist" is what all the repubs say
YES, he did. Thank you Illionois for sending your favorite son to lead our nation in this difficult time. I'm sure he'll do a fantastic job.
Obama/Biden –YES they can.
JAN 20 2009 Coming soon Folks it cant get here fast enough!
I wish Palin would resign and go in hiding somewhere.
McCain's legacy is that stupid Sarah Palin who makes my ears hurt. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. And she's still talking–why?
If she is the face of the new GOP, then the GOP stinks.
Good Luck–President-Elect! I'm behind you 100%
I thought president elect Obama wanted Valerie jarett to replace him. How is Jesse jackson Jr mentionned before he in this article?
Thank you for your service to Illinois Senator Obama. God be with you.
-An Illinois resident
God Bless!
May the will of the people be with you always as a reminder that Change is what everyone seeks and hope is what we must hang on to through this rough times. United we Stand!
i'm sure the senate will miss you, bless you during this transition.
This is one resignation I'm happy about and hope that the replacement will serve Illinois with dignity and honor as Obama has.
God bless Obama's presidency! As an american I look forward to "working with him" in restoring this great country. We can do if we all come together for the common good~
Thank you Illinois for sharing this wonderful man with us!
I thought president elect Obama wanted Valerie jarett to replace him. How is Jesse jackson Jr mentionned before her in this article?
We found a better place for you. 🙂
God bless our new president and his family 🙂
I wish you all the best, Barack, you certainly deserve it. Now, go out and be the best President of the United States of America that we've ever had. I mean this from the bottom of my heart.
Now he can spend his time working on a successful transition. Best of luck.
Well duh, he's going to be president.
Senator or President ... hmm such a hard descision to make.
Stop trying to create news CNN just for the sake of making news esp the way you title your articles.
Good luck President Obama!
Wow can't wait to see how the far right wingers that post on here tear this move down. So far they've trashed everything this man has done or tried to do, even when it came to choosing a puppy for his kids. I'm sure something negative will be posted.
Well, this was bound to happen. LOL. Godspeed, President-Elect!
Obama resigns? A bit premature isn't it?
He was just starting to grow on me.
🙂