Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., the Senate's second-ranking Democrat, said the Illinois General Assembly "should enact a law as quickly as possible calling for a special election" to fill the Senate vacancy of Barack Obama. "No appointment by this governor could produce a credible replacement." Durbin spoke after Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested early Tuesday on charges he conspired to sell or trade President-elect Obama's vacant Senate seat. "The options are few and not appealing," Durbin told a Capitol news conference. Without a special election,, "this could drag on for a long period of time." Blagojevich could make an interim appointment, Durbin, but even that person would be "tainted." He was asked about his own relationship with the governor. "I've known him a long time. We certainly didn't enjoy a close relationship." Durbin recalled how "he could be a difficult man to communicate with." When the governor first took office, Durbin recalled calling him and not getting the call returned. Recently, when he called to discuss the Obama vacancy, Durbin said it took 12 days to get the call returned. "We went through 20 different names," Durbin said. He advised the governor "Don't appoint a caretaker and do it as quickly as possible, so we could have a seniority advantage." Anyone sworn in prior to Jan. 3, 2009, would instantly have that advantage over the class of senators elected last month. Durbin said he did not think the controversy would hurt the Obama administration, which badly needs Democratic votes quickly next month. And, he said, "I don't think any association between the president-elect and the governor of Illinois could possible raise that suggestion."