Illinois House impeaches Gov. Rod Blagojevich

[Midnight Mike]

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois House voted overwhelmingly Friday to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich, an unprecedented action that sets up a Senate trial on whether he should be thrown out for allegedly trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Impeachment required just 60 votes. The final result was 114-1.

Legislators accused the second-term Democratic governor of letting down the people of Illinois by letting ego and ambition drive his decisions.

"It's our duty to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that's become Illinois government," said Rep. Jack D. Franks, a Democrat.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_ ... s_governor (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor)

[Midnight Mike]

Gov. Blagojevich Press Conference after being Impeached

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[Matt Molnar]

I thought this guy was insane before, but wow. He sounds like coked-up Henry Hill toward the end of Goodfellas.

"KAREN?! WHY DID YOU DO THAT KAREN?!"

"IMPEACH ME?! WHY WOULD YOU IMPEACH ME, LEGISLATURE?!"

I hope Ray Liotta (with a giant wig) plays Blagojevich in the eventual movie about his life.

[Tom_Turner]

Wow.. he does seem like he is melting down!

But he's only "impeached" right? He's still the Governor, isn't he?

He does have a point about not yet being found guilty of anything.. This is going to get more interesting. With nothing to lose at the moment, he may press until (if ever) the right deal comes along... may yet be able to create some interesting times in that State of his ....shining a light now in places most sitting politicians would avoid.

His forcing the appointment of the Senator after the clown-like Reid said they would not seat the guy was masterful.

Stay tuned. :D

Tom

[moose135]

But he's only "impeached" right? He's still the Governor, isn't he?
No, he was impeached by the Illinois House earlier this month, and this was his trial in the State Senate, he has been removed from office.

[Tom_Turner]

Thanks Moose... I hadn't read the news yesterday or today. So, he's OUT. This should be a very interesting trial (the real one to come..). I think he's going to throw some folks under the bus.

Also interested in those tapes being pursued...who was offering money to seat Jesse Jackson Jr...??

Tom

[Matt Molnar]

My favorite part of this was the stories early in the day that said workers had packed up all his belongings in the governor's mansion and the deputy governor was ready to take the oath. Basically they threw all his stuff onto the lawn and told him to come get it.