51 Comments

1. Craig:

Bye Bye Blago. I would’ve said, we hardly knew ya. But you made certain we did…’cause you just wouldn’t STFU.

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:07 pm 2. Hotpatch 6:

I can hardly contain my indifference to Blagojevich’s emotional pleas for mercy. Not only was he remiss as a governor, he is a poor actor as well.

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:07 pm 3. noprisoners:

Say what you want about this buy; but, he sure has a huge brass set between his legs!

Personally, I think that he’s a crook. I don’t think that he will go down by himself. This should get really interesting now.

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:17 pm 4. noprisoners:

buy = guy

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:25 pm 5. Snoop-Diggity-DANG-Dawg:

“I’m here to talk to you, to appeal to you, to your sense of fairness,…”

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

“Impeachments…set a “dangerous and chilling precedent.””

BWAH! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA! HA….

Ack!!! *heart attack* Guh! Uhhnnnn…..

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:33 pm 6. Anna:

Blago did not do anything wrong but he is being impeached. Is it because senators do not like his hair cut? or is it because he was too idependent and Chicago politics does not allow for that. Instead of waiting for the outcome of the critimal trial, they decided to impeach him. What is the criminal trial proves that Blago was not guilty. That the public opinion influenced by the carefully selected bits and pieces of the recorded tapes unfairly convicted him.

Collecting political contributions is not illegal – if it would most of the politician would be in jail. Ex president Clinton collected millions for his foundation, yet Hilary has been selected and confirmed as a secretary of state. Are we using double standard? If Blago is convicted by the Illinois senate, we should scrutinize all politicians, who accepted millions of dollars from the special interest group and put them in prison for selling their decision making power afforded to them by their political positions.

Blago is innocent and he should not be convicted without first having right to face his accusers. and the hearsay is not allowed in the judicial proceedings.

Jan 29, 2009 - 12:54 pm 7. Concerned citizen:

Right to face the accusers is the basic right of every US Citizen. Why then Blago has been deprived of that right? Why he was convicted before criminal trial (which might never happen) convict him of anything? Why IL legislature was in such a hurry to get rid of Blago? He was elected by the people of Illinois twice to be their governor. At a minimum, IL legislature should set up special election process to impeach the governor. The poeple who put him in governor’s position should have the right to decide if he should stay there. Not the IL legislature who is motivated by the political interest.

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:02 pm 8. thegre8_1:

Commerce Secretary position is still open. He would fit right in with the other crooks Geithner, Holder, Clinton etc.

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:27 pm 9. Justice Inc.:

Thanks Anna or should I say Mrs. Blago? Nothing is going to save your turkey from the ax. He brought all of this down on hisself and deserves to be thrown out of office ASAP. Maybe he should start trying to bribe the Senate for some help. LOL.

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:29 pm 10. quasar:

Illinois voters must be rolling over in their graves.(Full attribution to another poster on HA) LOL.

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:30 pm 11. Pajewmas tuba teakettle of fish:

And the man had such good ideas. Socialized gambling may be an answer to at least deficit spending. Although, not this year and last, of course. I don’t know, it might cause a rise spending.

http://www.reason.com/news/show/28821.html

I guess who cares, if the goal is socializing the country?

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:38 pm 12. Maverick:

For someone who flipped off the impeachment trial and only offered to make a closing argument, Blagojevich sure took advantage of every second he was provided. I thought for a minute there I was listening to the history of this country. Blagojevich tried to pull everyone he could think of down with him. In Blagojevich mind, if you find me guilty of this you must find others just as guilty. Blagojevich best defense wasn’t anything he provided in his closing argument, he blamed those who didn’t put a stop to him earlier and those who voted for him. He’s without guilt.

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:39 pm 13. ddc:

His “speech” today was pure comedy! i wonder who’ll play blago on snl…

I did like that he wants to pull Rahm Emmanuel down with him. Disloyal Dems? Who’d thunk!

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:40 pm 14. Marc Malone:

#6 Anna – The Illinois rules say the legislature can yank him for basically anything. Anyway, there are things you can do, and things you can’t. He broke the rule of plausible deniability. There was a clear quid-pro-quo. These kind of campaign solicitations are done all the time. You’re right. However, they are done in a more indirect, discreet manner.

His perception is that it is okay, because that’s how the game is played. He’s right, but his “crime” is not understanding that one is not supposed to be crass about it. His actions are a direct threat to the system, as they draw attention to the corrupt system. The politicians can’t get shut of him quickly enough. In Illinois, he need not commit a crime to be impeached, so, they will give him the bum’s rush.

Go for distance, guys!

Jan 29, 2009 - 1:43 pm 15. WestTexasBliss:

Americans want Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency, something Blagojevich knows nothing about.

Jan 29, 2009 - 2:01 pm 16. RW:

Those clips were probably not much different from conversations with any of those in the Illinois legislature.
Probably not in any one party ruled city/state like Illinois, Philly or what have you. Hypocrites all.
They just want to get this guy out before he does any more damage… to them.

Jan 29, 2009 - 2:12 pm 17. Jane:

The whole impeachment trial is an absolute political joke and the court itself is nothing but a kangaroo court. They keep taking out of context what was in the phone calls and making a mockery of “justice.” It’s so obvious in the political arena those playing the political machine game are doing whatever possible to get him out of office. And what is this I heard yesterday that the “indictment” has been moved to April? Perhaps because they have nothing…?

Jan 29, 2009 - 2:44 pm 18. mk:

I’m going to miss this guy. He was the bestest entertainment ever. Right next to Pelosi explaining how STD funding in the “stimulus” package would totes stimulate the economy (Mostly because Pelosi wouldn’t stimulate nothing).

Jan 29, 2009 - 3:58 pm 19. mk:

Don’t worry, Jane. Remember Blago is like Jesus, Ghandi, Mother Teresa and MLK all put together. He’ll be justified in the end.

Oh, wait, he’s a politician from Illinois? That pretty much means that he is committing illegal acts. Don’t you know it’s a qualification in running for office in Illinois to be a criminal? Because it totes is.

Jan 29, 2009 - 4:02 pm 20. seven:

This man has a fraternal bond with many that have transitioned to Wunder Barry’s circle. He is on the tube live listing his accomplishments without for some reason telling us the price kickbacks played in his schemes. write it down. The federal investigation is moving slowly because ther are many more charges coming for others. He is talking values and sunday school teachings. Quinn has a lot of work to do.

Jan 29, 2009 - 4:15 pm 21. H J Wooten:

CONVICTED BEFORE A FAIR TRIAL ALREADY GUILTY VERDICT
BEFORE HAVING CHANCE TO DEFEND HIMSELF THIS IS NOT THE AMERICAN WAY,

Jan 29, 2009 - 4:32 pm 22. H J Wooten:

CONVICTED BEFORE A FAIR TRIAL ALREADY GUILTY VERDICT
BEFORE HAVING CHANCE TO DEFEND HIMSELF THIS IS NOT THE AMERICAN WAY, NOT DOUBLE BOGET AS YOU SAY IT THIS SIMPLR
HE WAS CONVICTED BEFORE RIGHT TO DEFEND HIMSELF

Jan 29, 2009 - 4:34 pm 23. Sharon:

The legislature had been considering impeachent against Blago long before his arrest. The arrest was the final straw. While he talks about all the good he did by skirting the system, he doesn’t tell you about the harm he did for everything else, including all those he supposedly wanted to help. I’m front Illinois and have watched him the last two years when our lawmakers tried to pass a budget. He wouldn’t participate. He refused to come to Springfield for meetings and would only call them when it suited him. He openly said it would be my way or there would be no budget. As a result our state has been unable to pay it’s bills, including those to doctors and hospitals – bills that covered the state’s poorest people and now these same people are not being served. His attitude was Illinois was his and he could do whatever he wanted and now we are in a real mess. There was a lot more to this impeachment than the federal allegations and he definitely needed to go for the good of our state.

Jan 29, 2009 - 6:37 pm 24. WestGuard:

What a dope. His continued denial and doubletalk in the face of the obvious only makes him look more fooish by the minute.

He’s like the proverbial litte kid with cookie crumbs all over his face and shirt, repeatedly denying it was him who raided the cookies.

Gawd, get onto yourself Rod, it’s over, you got caught. Now say you’re sorry and go quietly to jail where you belong.
————————————————
#3 noprisoners:

“I don’t think that he will go down by himself. This should get really interesting now.”

I agree. When this story first broke (on TV) there was mention of two Indian men involved with him. Who are these guys and what is his connection to them?

Then the footage cut to him hustling three black preachers into his house / office(?) and Blago waving off reporters and closing the door. What was that hurried meeting all about?

Well, maybe it’s all much ado about nothing but it will be interesting to see what else comes out of this. There just may be others involved in the conspiracy.

Jan 29, 2009 - 7:05 pm 25. Scott:

Blagojevich has a pair hanging low…he might be a GD SOB,but he walked into one of the most corrupt places on Earth(the Illinois State Capitol) and defended himself

Jan 29, 2009 - 7:31 pm 26. Jane:

mk says: “Oh, wait, he’s a politician from Illinois? That pretty much means that he is committing illegal acts. Don’t you know it’s a qualification in running for office in Illinois to be a criminal? Because it totes is.”

Really, mk? Then we should all feel so enlightened and thrilled that the blowhard Quinn was just sworn into office. Thanks, I will be able to sleep at night knowing that the Pillsbury DohBoy has just become Illinois next governor. And Sharon, give me a flippin break. The reason why the State of Illinois is in such a mess is because unemployment is so high. It isn’t any better or worse off than any other state in the union. Let’s all hold hands and wait until May and watch the “criminal trial” evaporate, because there was no corruption to begin with because they have and never did have any proof! Pillsbury Dohboy Quinn is just as corrupt as Obama. They just do a better job of hiding it.

Jan 29, 2009 - 7:55 pm 27. Delia:

Blago’s beaver pelt head seriously cracks me up.

Don’t be dissin’ da Blagster! He’s savin’ women and children and stuff!

hahahahaha

Doofus 101. Obama is cut from the same cloth. Big surprise.

NOT.

Jan 29, 2009 - 7:59 pm 28. Anna:

Re: 23. Sharon
In California we let the voters to remove governors out of the office. It seems more honest approach. Blago has been removed from his office by legislature. I guarantee you that many of the legislators were soliciting contributions to their packs. The honest way was either (1) to wait for the results of the criminal investigation and then depending on the outcome impeach Blago, or (2) schedule special election during which voters who voted Blago into the governors office express their sentiments.

Blago has been convicted before he was proven guilty. He was deprived the right to face accusers and to provide witnesses that could testify in his favor. Selecting fractions of the conversations and based on this impeaching the governor is just not an American way. It also indicates that legilature can do what they want.

I would like to see someone to publish donations to the political funds of each of the member of the Illinois legislature and if contributions have been made put those legislators in jail for selling their votes to the highest bidder.

Jan 29, 2009 - 8:38 pm 29. Scott:

Amen,Anna…talk about a Kangaroo Court…the denial of due process

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:36 pm 30. Scott:

Quinn….sounds like a Daley puppet

Jan 29, 2009 - 11:42 pm 31. Marc Malone:

#26 Jane – No, Jane. IL is in such poor shape because the Dems have held it top to bottom for 50 or so years. Every State like that is a disaster, like MI. The pay in the public sector exceeds the pay in private sector. The average teacher salary is $83k/yr (plus gold-plated benes)for 9-10 months of work. Many make over $100k.

The future pension costs would have broken the State, even if the Housing Bubble had not (just like the auto companies in MI). Go read Animal Farm once more. The hogs are parading around the IL farmyard.

As for Blago, no brass is involved, if you don’t know right from wrong. It was not entertaining. It was repulsive. I could smell the stench within a few minutes; the stench of political sewage.

Jan 30, 2009 - 12:23 am 32. Mike:

I am so glad all the ones who voted to impeach him were snow white before they cast their votes.

Jan 30, 2009 - 1:51 am 33. Scott:

Marc:name one crime that Blagojovich committed..just one…even the Constitution of the United States requires a misdeameanor

Jan 30, 2009 - 2:38 am 34. Emma:

The conspiracy theorist in me believes that he was dealt with so swiftly because he was a problem for Obama. The faster he’s out of the headlines, the better.

Jan 30, 2009 - 2:43 am 35. Peter the Bubblehead:

To all you people complaining Blago was denied due process, like Anna and Scott; Do you have ANY knowledge on what has gone on in Illinois?

Blago was granted the opportunity to present witnesses. He was granted the opportunity to cross examine those against him. He let the deadline for filing those inclusions and basically ‘flipped off’ the legislature saying, “You can’t do this to me, nya nya nya.” Then he cries when they do it to him anyway. He has nobody to blame but the guy in the mirror. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:07 am 36. Peter the Bubblehead:

33. Scott wrote:
name one crime that Blagojovich committed..just one…even the Constitution of the United States requires a misdeameanor

Peter asks: How about 4 crimes?
Charges:
Solicitation of Bribes in exchange for Barack Obama’s Vacant Senate Seat.
Mail Fraud.
Attempting to Bribe the Chicago Tribune with State Funds.
Abuse of Power in attempting to gain Campaign Contributions from Children’s Memorial Hospital.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:10 am 37. Peter the Bubblehead:

Here are some more, Scott:
In particular the article of impeachment accused Blagojevich of engaging in a course of conduct constituting a pattern of abuse of power. Among the misdeeds comprising the course of conduct were the following:
-Plotting to “obtain a personal benefit in exchange for his appointment to fill the [President-elect Barack Obama’s] vacant seat in the United States Senate”;
-Plotting to extort the Tribune Company by withholding state funds unless it fired certain members of the editorial board who had been critical of the governor;
-Plotting to obtain a campaign contribution in exchange for signing a bill to divert casino gambling revenues to the horse racing industry.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:14 am 38. Peter the Bubblehead:

From a news article on the impeachment before the trial occurred;

The governor is accused of abusing power, circumventing hiring laws and defying General Assembly decisions. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Blagojevich missed a deadline to give the Senate the names of people he wanted to subpoena.

http://www.wpxi.com/politics/18548571/detail.html

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:17 am 39. NCBob:

Now Obama HAS to get rid of Fitzgerald, the federal prosecutor, and appoint one who will believe that Blago has suffered enough. Once the federal charges are dropped, then before Blago can talk about what he knows about Obama and Emanuel, poor Blago will disappear.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:20 am 40. drjohn:

Peter

Those are accusations. They are not crimes.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:43 am 41. steve:

By all accouts, Rod was guilty. However, why was there no trial? He seemed
to want one and if we were to really clean house, everyone would
be in favor of one. The trivial answer is that a trial would
expose much more than the Illinois senate would
like to be exposed. Too many heads in
Chicago and Washington would roll.
It was best to take swift action and
remove him without harming anyone
else. I think that we owe to ourselves to
force politicians to have a real
trial and genuinely see what
was going on and to persecute
both Rod as well as many other
figures whose hands are not
so clean as they would like us
to believe.

Jan 30, 2009 - 7:50 am 42. Peter the Bubblehead:

40. drjohn wrote:
Those are accusations. They are not crimes.

Peter writes: In the eyes of the Illinois legislature, they were. There was obviously enough proof that 59 of 59 senators decided he was guilty as sin. And the impeachment process does NOT require a crime be committed in order for the governor to be impeached. Just the appearence of impropriety, the appearence that he has no ability to govern, is enough. Read the statutes of impeachment for Illinois (based on those used by the US Senate against Bill Clinton, who managed to be acquitted) before you go making undue accusations.

Jan 30, 2009 - 8:42 am 43. Peter the Bubblehead:

41. steve wrote:
However, why was there no trial?

Peter askes: Where have you been ALL WEEK, steve??? The senate trial started on Monday and ended yesterday. Blago was found GUILTY! End of story. Don’t go blaming us if you don’t keep up on the news.

Jan 30, 2009 - 8:43 am 44. md:

the constituition of u.s.a. is the supreme law of the land, it over-ride all laws including all local laws made by representative, that’s right friends, you may not like it. “to defend and protect all rights that gurrantee us from mobs who already made their mind and rush to judgement mdbefore hearing all side with witnesses to the asscused”. so you see, you guys are bunch of mobs and it could happen to you someday??? Quote…”don’t be overrighteous, why destroyed yourself” all have short coming in life, could it be you? meditate on these things…

Jan 30, 2009 - 10:08 am 45. kywrite:

NCBob:

“Now Obama HAS to get rid of Fitzgerald, the federal prosecutor, and appoint one who will believe that Blago has suffered enough. Once the federal charges are dropped, then before Blago can talk about what he knows about Obama and Emanuel, poor Blago will disappear.”

You have it exactly right. Blago is a long way from done right now; the only reason he didn’t get impeached a long time ago is because of all the dirt he has on Illinois politicians, top to bottom. He could write an incredible tell-all book right now, probably without incriminating himself even, and sell millions while bringing down the whole Illinois political structure — and maybe even a new president.

Jan 30, 2009 - 2:07 pm 46. Jane:

Everything on the taped phone calls is heresay. There was no exchange of money whatsoever. Rod Blagojevich gave a very indepth interview to Geraldo Rivera who firmly believes in his innocence and that this was politically motivated more than anything. There was no criminality involved…period. The trial has been pushed back from January to May….watch this disappear completely. I agree that Blagojevich should write a tell-all book and name all names. The fact that Emanuel was so squirrely about his involvement when Blagojevich mentioned his name as well is very telling.

Jan 30, 2009 - 4:15 pm 47. Jane:

Additionally, Geraldo Rivera stated on Fox News this morning that some of these player politicians now are millionaires. They got that rich by doing exactly what Blagojevich was accused of and have not been held accountable.

Jan 30, 2009 - 4:17 pm 48. Peter the Bubblehead:

47. Jane wrote:
Additionally, Geraldo Rivera stated on Fox News this morning that some of these player politicians now are millionaires. They got that rich by doing exactly what Blagojevich was accused of and have not been held accountable.

Peter asks: So what you’re saying is, because everyone in Illinois is doing it, Blago should have gotten a freebie and continued on as Governor? Is THAT what you’re really saying? Because it’s attitudes like that that have created and allowed the culture of corruption that is Chicago politics.

Jan 30, 2009 - 5:03 pm 49. Jane:

Peter writes: So what you’re saying is, because everyone in Illinois is doing it, Blago should have gotten a freebie and continued on as Governor? Is THAT what you’re really saying? Because it’s attitudes like that that have created and allowed the culture of corruption that is Chicago politics.
Jane responds: You’re doing a lot of projecting and assuming that he is guilty. Fact is that everything on the phone calls is heresay. There was no money being passed between parties ever. Now, if there was a snippet of a phone call that said, “I will meet you are (undisclosed destination) with (undisclosed amount of money) at (undisclosed time), then you would have clear evidence of a crime; otherwise it is heresay. The politicians who are millionaires I was referring to certainly were not exclusive to Illinois politicians; try most of Washington (as most of the comments above also suggest).

Jan 31, 2009 - 5:25 am 50. myth buster:

Solution: Blago should get a plea deal wherein he gets to avoid jail, but has to pay a $100,000 fine and can never hold public office again. In exchange, he names names- every single corrupt politician he knows and everything about them he can tell.

Jan 31, 2009 - 7:58 pm 51. Peter the Bubblehead:

Jane responds: You’re doing a lot of projecting and assuming that he is guilty. Fact is that everything on the phone calls is heresay.

Peter responds: You, Jane, need to have an understanding of the law. Taped phone calls are NOT heresay. They are evidence. Heresay is when you say someone else said something and that someone else is not present to testify so what you CLAIM was said cannot be used in a court of law. A taped phone conversation, under a wiretapping warent, is direct evidence of a crime. Any half-way awake fan of Law and Order would know the difference. Get with the program. Maybe you’re just a big Blago booster and probably voted for him a couple of dozen times (in only 2 elections. This is Illisnois, after all.) but you need to know what you’re talking about before you put your foot in your mouth.

Feb 3, 2009 - 5:09 am