Ex-Sen. Peter Fitzgerald slams Obama

WASHINGTON--— Former U.S. Sen. Peter Fitzgerald on Wednesday accused his successor Barack Obama of running as a reformer and bipartisan figure, but not legislating as either.

‘‘For Sen. Obama, reform and nonpartisanship is really something to campaign on, but it’s not something he actually does when he gets in office,’’ Fitzgerald told reporters on a conference call organized by Republican John McCain’s campaign.

Fitzgerald, a Republican, served in the Illinois Legislature with the Democratic presidential candidate for about two years before Fitzgerald was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. He did not seek another term, and Obama won Fitzgerald’s seat in 2004.

Obama’s campaign on Wednesday pointed out that in a farewell speech on the Senate floor, Fitzgerald said that Obama was ‘‘almost unequaled in his potential and promise.’’

I think he may surprise the political pundits by voting, crossing party lines at times that you don’t expect him to,’’ Fitzgerald said in the November 2004 speech.

Fitzgerald contrasted Obama’s work in the General Assembly and Congress with that of McCain, an Arizona senator who Fitzgerald also served with for six years.

‘‘I consistently saw John McCain showing courage in attacking earmarks to the point where he would go toe-to-toe with some of the most powerful people in the Senate in order to go for reform,’’ Fitzgerald said.

Looking at Obama’s career in Springfield, Fitzgerald said, ‘‘I don’t recall him as being a reformer.’’

As a state senator, Obama played a key role in passing the first major ethics law Illinois had seen in years, though he didn’t act alone. The law limited lobbyists’ gifts to officials. Obama also co-sponsored legislation with one of the Senate’s most conservative members to make it easier for convicts to seek DNA testing that might prove their innocence.

Fitzgerald acknowledged that Obama has collaborated with GOP state lawmakers on legislation, but said the bills probably had prior approval of Democratic leaders. ‘‘They weren’t controversial and it didn’t take courage to do that,’’ he said. GOP influence in the state is minimal, he said.

‘‘The Republicans there, at this point, have little or no power, and they’re just not relevant,’’ Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald has largely been quiet about Obama’s candidacy until now. The former senator has a reputation of disagreeing with fellow Republicans and being outspoken on ethics issues. Lately he has been focused on his banking career.

Asked whether he would appear on behalf of McCain in ads or at campaign events, Fitzgerald said, ‘‘I’m available if they want me.’’

Fitzgerald did offer some praise for Obama. ‘‘He’s very intelligent and hardworking and certainly has come very far and has great talent,’’ he said. But he said he believed McCain would be better for the country.