‘A Senate Seat on Ebay’

According to the complaint, Blagojevich complained that one possible candidate for the Senate job was unwilling to give anything in exchange, other than appreciation. Fitzpatrick said Blagojevich also considered naming himself for the seat, a spot that he apparently believed could give him bargaining power if he were to be indicted.

Among those said to be under consideration for the Senate job have been U.S. Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr. and Danny K. Davis, as well as retired state Senate president, Emil Jones and Tammy Duckworth, who heads the state's veteran affairs office. But the arrest of Blagojevich casts doubt on whether he will choose the next senator.

Dick Durbin, the state's senior senator, today called for a special election for the spot, saying any candidate named by Blagojevich would be tainted by association with the governor, and would lack credibility. Democrats in the legislature were already making moves to seek impeachment if Blagojevich does not step down from office.

The complaint refers to five unnamed Senate possibilities who have had dealings with Blagojevich. One of them, said to be favored by the Obama camp, refused to give anything to Blagojevich other than "appreciation." Blagojevich was said to have responded, "'Bleep' them," Fitzpatrick said. The prosecutor said there was no evidence that Obama had any knowledge of Blagojevich shopping the open Senate seat for a bidder.

Recent opinion polls have shown that Blagojevich, who turns 52 on Wednesday, has an approval rating of only 13 percent among Illinois voters. His administration has been the target of an investigation of whether state jobs and contracts were illegally traded for contributions, the so-called "pay to play" scheme. According to the complaint, Blagojevich still harbored hopes about overhauling his image and making a run for the Presidency in 2016.

Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn, who would fill any vacancy in the governorship, today called on Blagojevich to "step aside," but suggested the step could be something short of resignation. Quinn said state law allows for a governor to be temporarily relieved of duties if performance is "impeded."