Democrats were under pressure yesterday to bar an African-American statesman from the US Senate after the corruption-tainted Illinois governor's defiant appointment to fill the seat vacated by president-elect Barack Obama.Senate Democrats vowed not to seat former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris, saying he would "serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety" in the wake of federal corruption charges stating that Governor Rod Blagojevich tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder.

Obama said that while Burris is "a good man and a fine public servant," the president-elect supports the decision not to seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich.

Obama called the governor's move "extremely disappointing," and said the "best resolution would be for the governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place "

"While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy," Obama'said ina statement. ' ‘ ’

But Illinois congressman and civil rights leader Bobby Rush used racially tinged language in urging Senate Democrats to reconsider, saying they should "not hang and lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer."