Illinois Senate Kicks Blagojevich Out of Office

Illinois senators were unswayed by Rod Blagojevich's closing statement delivered earlier in the day in which the former governor insisted that he should not be thrown out of office on what he called incomplete evidence. 

Illinois senators stripped Gov. Rod Blagojevich of power Thursday in the final act of a political drama that handed the reins of state government to his estranged lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, and likely will end Blagojevich's career in politics.

Senators voted unanimously to convict Blagojevich and bar him from holding political office in the state again. Shortly after the vote, Quinn was sworn in as Illinois' new governor.

The outcome was never in doubt. In fact, Quinn went to the state Capitol earlier in the day to prepare to be sworn in.

Blagojevich said he was saddened and disappointed by the Senate's decision but not at all surprised.

"I predicted it," he told a pack of reporters outside his home Thursday evening. "The fix was in from the very beginning."

Blagojevich vowed to keep fighting for ordinary citizens in the private sector and to clear his name.

"The fight goes on," he said. "Just because I'm not governor doesn't mean I won't keep fighting for the causes I've always fought for."

The governor's impeachment was triggered by his arrest last month on a variety of federal corruption charges. The criminal complaint against him included a long list of shocking quotes related to Blagojevich's apparent attempt to auction off President Obama's former U.S. Senate seat and pressure people for campaign donations.

The former governor had refused to take part in the state Senate trial, but he surprised everyone by asking to make a closing statement Thursday, in which he insisted that he should not be tossed out of office on what he called incomplete evidence.

"You haven't proved a crime, and you can't because it didn't happen," Blagojevich pleaded to state senators. "How can you throw a governor out of office with insufficient and incomplete evidence?"

But state senators were unswayed. One by one, before casting their votes, they expressed their contempt for Blagojevich with a litany of epithets, calling him "dishonest," "devious," "corrupt," and a "hypocrite."

They also blasted him for taking a media tour this week to disparage the impeachment hearing before showing up at the trial at the 11th hour without presenting any evidence of his innocence. By making a speech instead of testifying, Blagojevich did not have to take an oath or answer any questions.

"We must find him unfit for this great office," state Sen. William Haine said.

Other lawmakers gave Blagojevich credit for turning in an entertaining performance, with one senator wishing Blagojevich well in his next career in Hollywood.

The description of Blagojevich by lawmakers was in contrast to his portrayal of himself as a passionate advocate for the little guy who made political enemies with his aggressive style.

But in his rebuttal to the governor's statement, impeachment prosecutor David Ellis painted Blagojevich as a selfish politician who had become a "stain on the state."

"He doesn't think one minute about the people, just himself," he said, asserting that the impeachment was for the people, not to punish Blagojevich as he had suggested.

"He has a Constitutional right not to be thrown in jail without a fair trial," he said. "But he does not have a Constitutional right to be governor. That is not a right; it's a privilege and he forfeited that right. He has abused the power of his office."

Blagojevich acknowledged that the truth about his conduct is "maybe not flattering in some cases," referring to several secretly recorded conversations played earlier in the trial.

The FBI wiretaps appear to show Blagojevich linking his decision on legislation to receiving campaign contributions.

Blagojevich told the state Senate the tapes captured something that "all of us in politics do in order to run campaigns and win elections."


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/29/pub-illinois-senate-kicks-blagojevich-office/

Prosecutor’s closing Argument

[flash=425,344]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPXv_L16Xtc&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]


See Sensei. . . there IS justice in Chicago.

good news. now Blago can now focus on his standup comedy career

Transcript of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's closing argument. . . [url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-speech-transcript,0,6458687.story]Here[/url]

He is such an Ass. . . an arrogant ass!!

Moremi, . . Moremi, Ooohhh, that S-O-B!  

He should have taken his ass to the doggone senate and defend his case.  Oh somebody help me, I lost $800 in my placement.  I should get a grip of his crazy hairdo.  

I will be back later. . . need to check something.

bawomolo:

good news.  now Blago can now focus on his standup comedy career  

Lmao!!

Did you listen to his defense or closing statement or whatever that was?

I didn't know if I should laugh or laugh some more.

Negro_Ntns:

Moremi,  . . Moremi, Ooohhh, that S-O-B!  

He should have taken his ass to the doggone senate and defend his case.  Oh somebody help me, I lost $800 in my placement.  I should get a grip of his crazy hairdo.  

I will be back later. . . need to check something.

Gah! Why oh why didn't I follow my instincts and I placed my bet on this??

I could have gotten lovely pair of boots with $400 and the other $400 for whatever!! Lmao!!

Oh you go, go check on your something. . . I'll be here waiting.

unfortunately he couldnt take Roland Burris with him.

Re: Illinois Senate Kicks Blagojevich Out Of Office

Don't care. His hair do? Now that would interest me.

My thing is what if he ends up innocent in a court of law

"whoops"?

davidylan:

unfortunately he couldnt take Roland Burris with him.

It woulda made a perfect end to the entire sordid tale

Burris is. . . what an opportunist!!

stillwater:

Don't care. His hair do? Now that would interest me.

Here you go. . .

[img]http://www.welt.de/multimedia/archive/00743/eng_blago_GB_BM_Bay_743682g.jpg[/img]

KarmaMod:

My thing is what if he ends up innocent in a court of law

"whoops"?

You should hear the tapes.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-audio,0,1146556.audiogallery

KarmaMod:

My thing is what if he ends up innocent in a court of law

"whoops"?

with his erratic behavior and the tapes that were released? i seriously doubt it.  Even Ed Gansen had to run away from his defense team.  If i were him, i would run away to poland and start a comedy troupe  

removing burris is waycist. leave the black man alone

His father was Serbian. Maybe he shld relocate to Serbia.

bawomolo:

removing burris is waycist. leave the black man alone

Burris is an idiot, he cant win re-election in 2010.

bawomolo:

removing burris is waycist. leave the black man alone

Waycist kini? Abeg, he should go and sit down somewhere. If he was sure of his qualifications, he should have waited until they sorted things out now. Opportunist oshi and the way he got black people to rally round him. . . Gah!!!!

Negro Ntns has been caught with his pants down again. 

Negro_Ntns:

Do you believe Blago will be removed from office? Lol, Chi-Town politics in full swing, from Springfield to Washington DC. Yes, he has been impeached and he is set to go on trial end of this month. So what, what's next? Chicago politics is not for the meek, you gotta have some balls and they better be blue. Well, don't worry the chill in Windy City will help speed up the color for ya!

Here is what's going on. . . Blago is having a blast! I have never before seen a criminal sleep peacefully while his accusers are loosing theirs, but Blago is the true model of a M'th mess'er in the American sense. His defense will hinge on three angles, two of which so far is working in his advantage.

1. collateral damage to Rahm Emmanuel
2. encounter over trade offs and the subsequent public drama with Reid over Burris appointment.
3. political liabilities for SEIU

Pay attention to number 2. You have not heard all the episodes of that drama, there is more to come. It is no news to say you will be shocked when its told. At the end of the day, powerful interests in 1 and 2, coming out of Washington DC will overide Springfield and Blago will retain his governorship. He will be convicted but he will not be deposed. . .symbolic but nonetheless defining!

Of course the Dems do not want another White House Chief of Staff convicted for perjury and obstruction of justice, which ironically was the ruling given to Libby by Patrick Fitzgerald, same Attorney investigating Blago. They are also ambitious and all around the nation they need to diminish political losses on ideological grounds. Removing Blago could shift Illinois to Republican in 2010 mid term election. Republicans would love that Blago is removed, that will open a big can of worms and you can bet that the Repubs will exploit that to the misfortune of the Dems in mid-term. It is unacceptable that President Obama should loose his home state to Republicans.

This mofo called Blagojevich got some BLUE BAWLLS and he is ready to swing it!

Tell everyone you know that Blago may be impeached and convicted but he is keeping his seat and will remain the governor till 2010. The dude should move to Nigeria, he acts like one.

Ibime:

This guy is nothing but a conspiracy theorist.

Make one prediction this week, next week it falls flat.

Thats what happens when you claim to be 'ahead' of the news.

Shepherd indeed!

Ibime you dey mind the fellow? flenty flenty grammar on top nothing . . . the angle on collateral damage to Rahm Emanuel got me in hysterics. All that essay for nothing. 

na today?

davidylan:

Ibime you dey mind the fellow? flenty flenty grammar on top nothing . . . the angle on collateral damage to Rahm Emanuel got me in hysterics. All that essay for nothing.

na today?

wacky sense of humour

watching

Pepeye:

wacky sense of humour

that thread pain you oh! See as you just follow me to three threads already like pepeye.

Pain me ke. . .i m just snooping into your affairs

Pepeye:

Pain me ke. . .i m just snooping into your affairs

E be like say e pain you small. this one wey you follow me from thread to thread like small pikin.
continue . . . silly meeeh.

Shut your trap. . .u smallie of yesterday boi

With limited knowledge . . .I m sure I 've unnerve u!!

Poking your nose into where no cosign you

Its like this is the nonsence we have to endure from some half baked fellows. I don't blame you it is the mods that are not doing there work
Maybe Seun should put in a fight or wrestling and boxing section. so all beefs and childish behaviour like that pepeye and her ill behaved friends are displaying should go to

Pepeye:

Shut your trap. . .u smallie of yesterday boi

With limited knowledge . . .I m sure I 've unnerve u!!

Poking your nose into where no cosign you

Chei! Did that thread hurt this bad? 
Sorry o . . . pele . . . are you this passionate about Christ though? 

gozilla my brother, i must apologise for my own behaviour but see me see trouble o!!!
i posted on the CE thread and pepeye has since followed me everywhere just to insult me, no input to the thread whatsoever!!!

gozzilla:

Its like this is the nonsence we have to endure from some half baked fellows. I don't blame you it is the mods that are not doing there work
Maybe Seun should put in a fight or wrestling and boxing section. so all beefs and childish behaviour like that pepeye and her ill behaved friends are displaying should go to

Hmmm *scratching head*

Richy no delete anything abeg. Leave this for posterity.

Taking a leaf out from your book david . . .

well versed in jumping into peoples conversation

Are u now becoming uncomfortable at conversing with me

@david,  (sorry sounded quite hard there)

They also blasted him for taking a media tour this week to disparage the impeachment hearing before showing up at the trial at the 11th hour without presenting any evidence of his innocence. By making a speech instead of testifying, Blagojevich did not have to take an oath or answer any questions.

"We must find him unfit for this great office," state Sen. William Haine said.

Other lawmakers gave Blagojevich credit for turning in an entertaining performance, with one senator wishing Blagojevich well in his next career in Hollywood.

this was what did him. Those public stunts were totally uncalled for. As they said Hollywood waits for him. Soon he will be a star write a book, maybe even put a movie. I love America

davidylan:

Richy no delete anything abeg. Leave this for posterity. 

You trust me now, hand-to-hand combat is fine, use of weapons other than fist is banned!

Yeah, I lost some money dear. But it's limited to the odds on his retaining office, everything else as predicted is still standing okay, I will regain the loss on his criminal trial. Some of the stakes are long term and may not even mature for another 4yrs, depending on when trial starts and how long it takes to wind up. That's beneficial because the longer it stands the more people join in and raise the stakes even higher. It's just like stock trading - loose some gain some.


Ibime,

I don't water ski, I don't ice ski, I do not motorcross. . .I consider it wild and risky but I respect the guys who take the risks of adventure and enjoy those sports. Sometimes they fall and get hurt only to return soon after and continue their hobby. They have experience and exposure that I can never have. They have touched places and enountered life boundaries that I can only fantasise about. That's the way you have to take this INTRADE loss.

My forecast was strong on his impeachment. What you are looking at is a dangerous territory. A Senate trial that bars witnesses! I did not fathom that could ever happen and that was my miscalculation. But this is my territory, not yours and you can only fantasize about the ifs and buts, but you can never touch what I have encountered nor experience the boundaries I have laid foot on in POLITICAL ANALYSIS & PROSPECTING.

I am a Sheperd and you are still a sheep. A lot of what you read in the news, beside what is directly sourced from government, are taken from chatters and trends in political blogs and event forecasts. If I ask you to name 5 top outcomes for the newly enacted Guantanamo order you cannot. A person that attempts the test and fails at it is better than one is intimidated by it. Using my earlier analogy, the skier that fell and was hurt is better than me, intimidated by the risks. So until you can be like me and give predictions, shut up and continue to play Nintendo!!