The Illinois House of Representatives, just in the past hour, voted to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich (D), 114-1. The only representative voting against impeachment was Milton Patterson (D-South Chicago). Representative Elga Jefferies (D-Chicago) voted “present.” Typical Cook County politics, if you ask me. I commend the other 114 representatives who voted in the affirmative to impeach Governor Blagojevich. This will no go to the Senate, who will decide whether or not to remove Blagojevich from office.
Let’s get some quotes:
- House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago), chair of the House panel that held the impeachment hearings, said, “Due to his conduct, the governor has failed to uphold the oath of office. He is no longer capable of defending our liberties. He should be impeached.”
- Representative Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) characterized the situation as a “plague” on the state. He later said, “Our duty is to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that has become our government.”
- Representative John Fritchey (D-Chicago) said, “My Illinois is not the Illinois of George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Our Illinois is the Illinois of Abraham Lincoln and Paul Simon and Barack Obama.”
This vote comes after the House investigation committee voted on Thursday, 21-0 to proceed with impeachment for Blagojevich’s abuse of power. The committee issued a report, saying, “The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own. It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so.”
Blagojevich has remained mostly silent for the day, but is expected to release a statement at 2:00 P.M. (I’m assuming that will be in Central time). Personally, I think for the sake of his dignity (or what’s left of it), and for the sake of Illinois, Blagojevich should resign. He still maintains his innocence, but I don’t see how he can avoid embarrassment if he goes through with it. I think Blagojevich will step down this afternoon (or at least announce his resignation - who knows when it’ll go into effect).
Done Ranting,
Ranting Republican
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Tags: Barack Obama, Barbara Currie, Barbara Flynn Currie, Bribery, Chicago, Cook County, Corruption, crime, Criminal, criminals, Democrat, Democrats, Elga Jefferies, Governor, House of Representatives, Illinois, Impeach, Impeachment, Investigation, Jack Franks, John Fritchey, Majority Leader, Milton Patterson, Money, Politics, Rod Blagojevich, Senate, Woodstock
January 9, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is just the tip of the iceberg with regard to Chicago Politics. I for one do not believe that we are anywhere near understanding the full level of corruption in Illinois. Anyone who thinks that someone like President elect Obama whom was basically born of “Chicago politics” is not himself corrupt or at minimum beholding and complicit to this pool of septics are themselves dillusional. The house that impeached him should also impeach themselves if they truly want to rid Chicago of corruption. It is obvious to me that what we are dealing with here is just a vindictive response to a maverick criminal who broke the packs code. He did not abide by the plan allowing for Obamas Pick of the litter. After all it must be made sure that the vacancy left by the “Holy One” is filled by only those worthy of his holiness and reverance. There is only one who could make such and enlightend choice and that would be the holy one himself… Obama
We all need to Wake up and smell the coffee…
TRex
January 9, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Come on, he couldn’t go and pick Obama’s pick, since he had been named in the investigation. He had to pick somebody who he, up until that point, hadn’t considered.
January 9, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Once it was confirmed that the FBI had legal recordings of Mr. Blagojevich offering and negotiating monetary rewards in order to determine who he would appoint to replace Sen./Pres. Elect Obama, it should have been clear to any and all standing public officials to unanimously seek impreachment and federal prosecution. This man is a disgrace to our democracy and country! He should be tried in a court of law with a jury of and by the citizens to determine his definitive fate.
GBJ
January 11, 2009 at 2:06 AM
Cracks me up that the fool used his press conference as a soapbox to rip on the House for not passing his socialistic healthcare reforms. Not to mention he put the media at the mercy of looking the people who had survived from this plan on the stage.
Shameless.
January 15, 2009 at 4:02 AM
[...] “Illinois House Votes to Impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich” Originally published: 9 January 2009 Submitted by: U.S. Common Sense Summary: Explanations by the Illinois House as to why they voted nearly unanimously to impeach the Governor. yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = "Political Blog Weekly: 16 January 2009"; http://uscommonsense.net/blog/2008/01/14/political-blog-weekly-16-january-2009/ [...]