2008_11_obsen.jpgPresident-elect Barack Obama announced that he will resign from his Senate seat on Sunday, "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." Wildly unpopular Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) will appoint a replacement--Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is apparently making a concerted push for the seat. On the future-West Wing side, Obama has been receiving calls from foreign leaders ever since winning the election; the NY Times also points out the Taliban's statement asking him to "put an end to all the policies being followed by his Opposition Party, the Republicans, and pull out U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq.”