Obama says saddened by Blagojevich corruption case

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said on Tuesday he was saddened by a corruption case involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and that he was not aware of Blagojevich's alleged efforts to sell the Senate seat Obama had vacated.

The governor was arrested earlier on Tuesday for allegedly seeking money from potential candidates for the U.S. Senate seat that Obama had held until he was elected.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with former Vice President Al Gore, Obama said he was "saddened and sobered" by the case.

Asked if there had been contact by him or his staff with Blagojevich or his staff about the seat, Obama said: "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening. But as I said it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don't think it's appropriate to comment."

(Reporting by Steve Holland, editing by David Alexander)