President-elect Barack Obama said Thursday he was “absolutely certain” that his office was not involved in dealmaking over his U.S. Senate replacement and that he had never spoken to Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich about the seat.

Obama said federal authorities investigating Blagojevich had not contacted him, nor had his staff been interviewed by them.

At a Chicago news conference to discuss his health care agenda, Obama said he had no contacts with Blagojevich as part of the governor’s alleged “pay to play” scheme to fill Obama’s Senate seat. He said his transition team would within days disclose all contacts it had with the governor’s office.

“I have never spoken to the governor on this subject. I’m confident that no representatives of mine would have any part of any deals related to this seat. I think the materials released by the U.S. attorney reflect that fact,” Obama said, referring to the criminal complaint unsealed on Wednesday.

“What I’m absolutely certain about is that our office had no involvement in any deal-making around my Senate seat,” he said.

Referring to profane references Blagojevich made about him in conversations FBI agents recorded, Obama said, “As is reflected in the U.S. attorney’s report, we were not, I think, perceived by the governor’s office as amenable to any deal-making,” Obama said. “And, you know, I won’t quote back some of the things that were said about me. This is a family program, I know.”

Obama repeated his call for Blagojevich to resign and expressed hope that the Illinois legislature, meeting in special session, would trump Blagojevich’s ability to name a successor to his Senate and authorize a special election.

“This Senate seat does not belong to any politician to trade. It belongs to the people of Illinois, and they deserve the best possible representation,” Obama said. “They also deserve to know that any vacancy will be filled in an appropriate way so that whoever is sent to Washington is going to be fighting for the people of Illinois. I hope and expect that the leaders of the legislature will take these steps to ensure that this is so.”

Blagojevich, a Democrat, and his chief of staff were arrested Tuesday on federal charges of soliciting a bribe and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Among the accusations was that he had tried to trade Obama’s Senate seat for favors that included jobs for him and his wife, campaign contributions, and a nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services, which Obama announced Thursday that he has offered to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

Asked about Blagojevich’s motives, Obama depicted politicians as falling into two categories: ones who are motivated by a sense of sacrifice and public service, and others who view politics as a business. “You’re wheeling and dealing, and what’s in it for me?” Obama said, characterizing the second group.

He said his campaign demonstrated that the American public is hungry for changing that view of politics, adding, “you can get elected by playing it straight.”

“I want to see a quick resolution,” he said, characterizing Blagojevich’s actions as “the far end of the spectrum” of politicians who see their positions as a means of self-aggrandizement.

State officials might move to strip Blagojevich of his position either by impeachment or court action, and instead hold a special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat.