Today Is Judgement Day For Blago - With Video
In recent days the seemingly unphased Gov. Blago has compared himself to just about every “heroic” historical figure (except Jesus Christ … but I imagine THAT’s coming upon the impeachment completion) … And now he’s some heroic but put-upon Frank Capra character, “Mr. Smith” in particular …
I personally compare him to Mr. Potter.
FOX:
Blagojevich: Allegations Not Enough to Oust Him
In his closing argument at his Senate impeachment trial Thursday, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich asked how he can be ousted based on a criminal complaint that hasn’t been proven.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich took the floor of the state Senate Thursday to enter a plea for his political life.
Giving a closing argument at his impeachment trial, Blagojevich insisted that he’s innocent and that throwing him out of office based on insufficient evidence would set a dangerous precedent.
“How can you throw a governor out of office, and you haven’t been able to show or prove any criminal wrongdoing?” he said. “How can you throw a governor out of office who is clamoring and begging to bring witnesses in?” he continued.
“I’m appealing to you and your sense of fairness,” he said, repeating that no criminal wrongdoing had been proven.
Federal prosecutors allege he schemed to sell President Obama’s U.S. Senate seat for campaign cash or a plum job for himself. There is no trial date set in the criminal case.
At the impeachment hearing, Blagojevich repeatedly begged for a chance to call witnesses, such as White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, who he said would testify that nothing illegal or unethical transpired.
Blagojevich presented himself as a fighter for the average citizen who may have made political enemies with his hard charging style. But that shouldn’t be the reason for his removal, he said.
“I confess I push too hard and fight too hard,” he said. “But remember, it ain’t about me. It’s about the people.”
Blagojevich cited his humble background as the son of hardworking immigrants as the motivation behind his rise to the top office in Illinois and his desire to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.
“How can you impeach me for legal means with moral ends?” he said. “There is no evidence before your body that shows any wrongdoing by your governor.”
Blagojevich deviated from his central argument at times, injecting personal anecdotes that were reminiscent of the poetry and other non sequiturs that he cited on his media tour.
But his main line of defense was similar to statements he’s made since his arrest: that he is being persecuted for his good works that help senior citizens and children and that the evidence against him is not sufficient.
The governor told senators that an FBI agent reading the allegations to lawmakers — as happened this week — does not amount to proving the charges.
Blagojevich did not testify, which would have involved taking an oath and answering questions from the prosecutor and senators. Instead, he delivered a closing statement that was designed to be “passionate.”
It was a last-ditch attempt by Blagojevich to keep his job just hours before a possible vote to remove him from office. Blagojevich worked past midnight Wednesday on his “passionate” speech that explained why he decided to appear at the trial, his public relations firm said Thursday.
Upon his arrival at the Capitol, Blagojevich said he’s philosophical about his circumstances but acknowledged there’s a feeling of sadness about what could be his final time walking into the Capitol as governor.
Blagojevich arrived as impeachment prosecutor David Ellis was giving his closing statement on the Senate floor.
Ellis said the evidence shows “a pattern of abuse of power” by Blagojevich who knew his conduct was improper.
Ellis cited snippets of secretly recorded conversations that federal prosecutors released when they arrested Blagojevich last month. He said they show Blagojevich based all his decisions on what was best for him personally, politically and legally.
Blagojevich, who was on a media blitz in New York City while the trial in the Illinois Senate carried on, has asserted his innocence and rejected numerous calls for him to resign.
After just three days of testimony, the prosecution has rested and the Senate could vote on whether to remove Blagojevich Thursday afternoon.
A conviction is all but certain. Blagojevich presented no defense, and virtually the entire Illinois political establishment has turned against him. The House voted 117-1 to impeach him, and the lone “no” vote came from his sister-in-law.
Blagojevich told FOX News even he anticipates that outcome.
“I think the fix is in. I think they have made the decision because they have rules,” he said.
Blagojevich was arrested in November and accused by federal prosecutors of trying to sell President Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Quinn: ‘I will be ready’
OUR NEXT GOVERNOR | Swearing-in ceremony already planned — and Blagojevich’s belongings have been boxed up for removal
BY ABDON M. PALLASCH
The Bible is ready. The oath has been prepared. The lieutenant governor and his family are on their way to Springfield. And the current governor’s belongings are boxed up and waiting to be picked up at the Executive Mansion.
“I definitely plan to be in Springfield and I will be ready,” Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday. Quinn said he has been careful not to be “presumptuous” over the last seven weeks as the Legislature has marched toward today’s expected impeachment and removal from office of Gov. Blagojevich.
But, Quinn said, “You have to be ready. If you run for this office, you have to be on your toes.”
If the Illinois Senate votes to remove Blagojevich from office, Quinn will immediately head with his mother, sons and supporters to the state House chamber and place his hand on a Bible while his longtime friend, Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, will administer an oath of office prepared by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
At that moment, Blagojevich will no longer be welcome in the governor’s office.
“The attorney general has already made it crystal-clear that under the law, if the Senate acts, then the governor is no longer the governor of Illinois,” Quinn said. “He is a private citizen and the appropriate thing for him to do is leave the office and go home.”
If citizen Blagojevich tries to stage a photo-op of himself having to be forcibly removed from his desk, will Quinn oblige by siccing the Capitol Police on him?
“My father a long time ago taught me you don’t take an aspirin unless you have a headache,” Quinn said. “I don’t think that will happen.”
Until recent days, Blagojevich blocked his staff from offering Quinn any help on a transition by not providing him with budget figures or any other information, Quinn said.
“I think Gov. Blagojevich put a straitjacket on everyone under his command not to be cooperative or helpful, but when his own staff saw he took off for New York and went on TV predicting his own demise … they’ve become much more helpful,” Quinn said.
Quinn began meeting with Blagojevich’s budget director Ginger Ostro in addition to his own state finance brain trust, which includes former budget director John Filan, who is now at the Illinois Finance Authority.
Before Quinn can rule any rumored state income tax or gas tax changes in or out, he needs to learn just how bad the state’s finances are, he said.
“The governor deliberately didn’t provide information to the public, including the other constitutional officers,” Quinn said.
Quinn has named Better Government Association Executive Director Jay Stewart as his counsel. Stewart held that role before in Quinn’s office. Will Quinn bring back his former chief of staff Jack Lavin, who now heads Blagojevich’s Commerce and Economic Opportunity Department?
Quinn wouldn’t say; he plans to announce his first appointments Monday.
At President Obama’s inauguration, Quinn said he got plenty of pointers from New York Gov. David Paterson — and other lieutenant governors suddenly thrust into the top seat — about pitfalls to avoid.
“We can do great things in the next 700 days,” Quinn said. “I plan to fumigate state government.”
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