“I Feel I Am the Solution to the Problem for the People of Illinois”

The Illinois Senate appointee defends accepting the position from Blagojevich in a defiant press conference Monday before leaving Chicago for D.C. "I don't have to separate myself from Rod Blagojevich. This is all politics and theater but I am the junior Senator according to every law book in the nation." Earlier: The secretary of the Senate declines to formally accept Burris' nomination certificate, as it lacks the signature of Illinois' secretary of state. Plus: Illinois' impeachment panel subpoenas Burris to testify on the Blago scandal Wednesday.