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* 12:17 pm - TPM quotes Rep. Elga Jefferies, who voted “Present” today…
“I voted Present because I did not completely agree on a Yes vote, and I didn’t agree on a No vote,” Jefferies said. “I felt that the reason all this had come about has been blown out of context.”
Jefferies said that she felt that the investigation against Blagojevich had become personal, with the legislators digging in on hirings that went back years. “I think there’s a lot of things that he could have done differently,” said Jefferies. “I’m not saying he’s been 100% right. And he’ll have his day in court.”
Jefferies concluded: “I voted my conscience.”
Yeah. Right.
* 12:08 pm - Illinois Public Radio is doing a live broadcast that’s definitely worth a listen. Click here.
* 11:46 am - Today is Richard Nixon’s birthday…
* 11:43 am - Rollcall video…
* 11:32 am - More on Rep. Patterson, the lone “No” vote…
[Patterson] says he read the impeachment committee’s report but wasn’t comfortable voting against the governor because he has “no first-hand knowledge of any of the evidence.”
Patterson says he went by his own “gut feeling.” He says he isn’t defending Blagojevich. But he says it’s up to prosecutors — not him — to indict the governor.
* 11:01 am - Where to now? The Senate will return next week to take up the impeachment issue. As I’ve told you before, the Senate will begin taking pleadings and other motions from the various parties on January 14th. The Senate trial is scheduled to start January 26th and is expected to last about nine days or so.
The House will likely pass a resolution on the 14th, when the new General Assembly is sworn in, to apply the impeachment resolution to the new GA. That’s standard procedure.
Removal by the Senate will require at least 40 votes, meaning that Gov. Blagojevich will have to find 20 votes to avoid removal. Impossible.
* 10:57 am - Via Progress Illinois, House Majority Leader and impeachment committee Chair Barbara Flynn Currie’s closing statement…
*10:54 am - A few new stories…
* Sun-Times: Illinois House votes to impeach Gov. Blagojevich
* Tribune: House votes to impeach Blagojevich
* CBS2: Angry Lawmakers Say ‘Plague‘ Has Been Lifted
* Lee: House votes to impeach governor, 114-1
* 10:48 am - More drama ahead…
Governor Rod Blagojevich may have another appointment to make in the near future. Patricia Young resigned her seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Board of Commissioners to return to her former position in the public affairs division of the district.
Under Illinois law, the governor appoints a replacement.
* 10:36 am - Tribune…
Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone vote against impeaching the governor. Patterson, from Chicago’s Southwest Side, said after the roll call that he didn’t feel it was his job to vote to impeach the governor. He declined comment on whether he approved of the job Blagojevich is doing.
A Blagojevich spokesman said the governor will not resign. A 2 p.m. news conference with the governor is scheduled for the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.
We’ll live blog that as well.
* 10:44 am - Rep. Patterson, who has been quite ill, is still obviously bitter about being elbowed out of running for reelection by the political powers that be in his area last year. Jefferies is desperately seeking employment. That may not totally explain things, but it’s a start.
* 10:40 am - For archival purposes…
* 10:35 am - Rep. Elga Jefferies (D-Chicago) voted “Present.” FYI, Jefferies lost her primary last year and has been seeking employment.
* 10:31 am - Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone “No” vote.
* 10:27 am - 114 Yes, 1 No. Governor Blagojevich is hereby impeached.
Adjourned
* 10:25 am - Speaker Madigan just said that there are no other people seeking recognition. Rep. Currie is now closing.
* 10:24 am - With a hat tip to a commenter, this is from the Tribune’s live blog…
Where, you might ask, is Gov. Rod Blagojevich as the Illinois House debates his impeachment?
A Tribune photographer took pictures of Blagojevich going jogging in his Ravenswood Manor neighborhood at about 10 a.m.
* 10:21 am - Rep. Julie Hamos, a possible statewide candidate: The impeachment power of the Legislature should be used in only the rarest of circumstances and for the most egregious acts… That’s why I have been uncomfortable from the beginning about the vagueness in the Illinois Constitution’s cause for impeachment… I wrote to 11,000 people on my e-mail list [about this topic] and I received hundreds of replies…. the vagueness of the Constitution is actually its strength.
* 10:07 am - I posted this in comments, but figured I’d front-page it as well. From CBS2…
A survey reported in Rich Miller’s “Capitol Fax” newsletter shows Illinois voters have had it up to here with Blagojevich, who is the focus of impeachment proceedings in Springfield.
When asked “Should the General Assembly remove Gov. Blagojevich?” – 78 percent said “yes”; 12 percent said “no.” Ten percent said they didn’t know or were not sure.
* 9:53 pm - If you’re having trouble with the state’s audio/video feeds, click here for the Tribune feed, or search around for others.
* 9:49 am - Rep. Jack Franks just said that the government under Blagojevich has become a “freak show.”
Franks: “The only way we hear from Rod Blagojevich is when he communicates through his criminal attorneys.”
* 9:42 am - Rep. Sara Feigenholtz is the other missing member. She’s reportedly on her way to the chamber, but I’m not sure when she’ll get there. I tried contacting her but have not yet heard back. Feigenholtz is running for Congress, so missing part of the debate is not a good thing.
*** UPDATE *** Feigenholtz reportedly had a medical emergency yesterday and is now on a plane on her way to Springfield.
The other hole in the rollcall for attendance is the late Rep. Wyvetter Younge, who has not yet been replaced. As I told you earlier, Blagojevich lieutenant Ken Dunkin is absent. That was by design, I’m told.
* 9:34 am - Rep. Lou Lang: The governor received an unprecedent level of due process at this committee. Bill Clinton’s lawyers were not allowed into the US House’s impeachment process, they couldn’t question witnesses, etc. “We asked many times to have the governor of the state of Illinois appear personally.”
“Cause,” Lang said about the reasoning for impeachment, “is up to you to decide.”
Lang quoted Richard Nixon saying: “‘When the president does it, it is not illegal.’ That’s Rod Blagojevich.”
Lang: “He has violated that oath, not only once or twice, but repeatedly. A pattern of abuse of power that I never thought we’d ever see in the state of Illinois and I hope we never see again.”
* 9:30 am - Rep. John Fritchey: This House is united to right the wrong that has been done to the state of Illinois.
* 9:26 am - Committee GOP Spokesman Jim Durkin: Our constitution doesn’t state that the attorney for the governor is allowed in the hearings… allowed to question witnesses… rebut evidence… allow him to call witnesses, but we did. We were thorough and fair. The governor’s attorney failed to rebut any of the evidence… The evidence was overwhelming.
* 9:13 am - House GOP Leader Tom Cross is now speaking. Cross thanked everyone involved in the process. He said committee members handled themselves in a professional, exemplary way. “[They] were able to find that fine line between fairness and due process.”
Cross: “He’s failed in his responsibility as governor. You will see a pattern that he repeatedly and systematically violated that oath of office.”
Cross: “We have no choice today but to vote ‘Yes’ on this resolution.”
* 9:06 am - Rep. Currie: We stand here today becase of the perfidy of one man. Rod Blagojevich.
Currie defended the impeachment process, pointing to the weeks of hearings and investigation, and noting that if this was truly a “vigilante” action then Blagojevich would have been impeached within days of his arrest.
The Speaker has just scolded the House for talking and walking around the House floor during this historic debate. That’s the usual House way, but it’s not exactly dignified during an impeachment vote.
Currie: “The governor has failed to uphold his oath of office… he is no longer capable of defending our liberty…. Gov. Blagojevich has forfeited his right to hold office.”
* 9:04 am - Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) is a staunch Blagojevich ally and he’s absent today. How fitting. 115 of the 118 members answered the rollcall. Not sure yet who those other two are.
* 9:00 am - Here we go. Live blogs: Sun-Times, Tribune, SJ-R.
* Here’s a roundup of impeachment stories. You know pretty much everything already. Updates will be placed at the top of this post. The House will convene at 9 o’clock this morning. Listen or watch here. I’ll be live-blogging again.
* Lawyers for Gov. Rod Blagojevich want U.S. attorney off case
* Blago team: Throw top prosecutor off case
* Gov’s Attorneys try to Push Back Decision on Tapes
* Governor’s appearance at Senate swearing-in may be a bit awkward
* After he’s gone
* Dave Bakke: Executive Mansion measures up despite what Genson said
* House panel unanimously approves report accusing Gov. Rod Blagojevich of wide range of offenses
* House panel unanimously recommends impeachment
* Good case for impeachment
* Panel votes 21-0 to impeach; full House vote expected today
* House to debate historic impeachment today
* House looks ready to impeach
* Speaker Madigan predicts full House will impeach Blagojevich
* House to vote on Blagojevich impeachment
* Full state House to vote on impeachment
* Expect a unanimous vote to impeach
* Impeachment vote looms for Blagojevich
* Impeach
* Panel: Impeach the gov
* Former adviser calls Blagojevich incapable
* Adviser: Blago spoke like a ’street thug’
* All this political theater a joke - on us
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 8:57 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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House vote a month to the day from the arrest. I’m embarrassed by my initial impatience with the House. It’s pretty quick and thorough work, all in all.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:04 am
CLTV is broadcasting.
Comment by kimsch Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:07 am
From the trib:
“though only 115 of the 118 answered the roll call..”
Comment by Anonymous Coward Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:09 am
Madigan had to ask the chamber to stop talking.
Comment by kimsch Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:11 am
It’s possible Reitz is not there.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:12 am
If Wyvetter Younge hasn’t been replaced, that accounts for the third missing member.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:14 am
Am I the only who saw Barbara Flynn Currie reference Rod brushing his hair? Methinks it was a purposeful laugh line.
Comment by wndycty Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:15 am
wndycty - I heard/saw that too.
Comment by kimsch Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:16 am
Tom Cross is a good man, a good family man and a terrific legislator, but there’s no way in *&^% they found “that fine line between fairness and due process.” This was just another rig job committee that comes out of the long tradition of fixed committee hearings. Let’s hope the trial has some substance.
Comment by chiatty Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:17 am
===If Wyvetter Younge hasn’t been replaced===
That’s true.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:18 am
===This was just another rig job committee that comes out of the long tradition of fixed committee hearings====
Rod, is that you?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:19 am
Krupa has been officially appointed, right?
Comment by Juice Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:20 am
Cross is babbling. Historic moment. Prepare your remarks ahead of time.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:20 am
I imagine most Illinoisians are, like me, less fascinated by the process, more saying to themselves, enough already. Impeach Blago and seat Burris. This is getting way tedious.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:20 am
Is this a bad Sunday sermon-C’mon Tom-stop the rambling.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:20 am
No, Rich, Chiatty isn’t Rod.
He’s too busy formulating his “115-0 It’s an up day!” Press Release.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:21 am
Reitz IS one of the three skipping.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:22 am
===This is getting way tedious. ===
Cassandra, grow up. This is an historic debate. They are legislators and they have the right to express their viewpoints.
No more comments like these, please. You’ll be deleted.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:22 am
All legislators commenting should remember to be brief and be seated.
Comment by One of the 35 Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:22 am
Or I should amend to say that Reitz is doing a radio interview right now…not sure if he answered the roll and left.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:22 am
Reitz is there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:23 am
Rich,
Maybe I wasn’t clear. I’m not critizing the legislators. I understand what they are doing and why. And we are grateful that this group, not known for its political courage, is proceeding with this hearing.
I’m saying that this whole situation has gone one way too long. The state is in pause mode and has been for the longest. The work of us ordinary folks is so not getting done.
Comment by Cassandra Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:26 am
@Rich
Okay, we have Reitz live on the air right now so I wasn’t sure…and didn’t want to assume. But I did for about ten seconds.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:26 am
The committee should have just stuck to the criminal complaint and the ethics reports.
By being all navel-gazy and complaining about JCAR and healthcare and prescription programs, they undercut their central arguments and give the Governor an out.
He can now just say they impeached him for trying to help people. Since they leaned so heavily on the healthcare stuff, that’s kinda believable.
Comment by silly show Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:27 am
===they undercut their central arguments and give the Governor an out.===
Wrong. Read the resolution. It’s a totality of the evidence, not individual acts.
Try not to read too much into things, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:28 am
[…] Rich Miller at Capitol Fax Blog is live blogging the debate. […]
Pingback by Musing Minds » Blog Archive » Impeachment Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:35 am
That’s my argument - that by including weaker, ego-driven issues into the whole, they degrade the quality of the whole “totality.”
I am not saying they intentionally gave him an out. They gave him a way to dismiss it.
For example, if he wins the JCAr lawsuit, what do they do then?
Comment by silly show Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:39 am
Evan Meacham was impeached and removed from office in Arizona on some of the same charges he was later acquitted of in federal court. But his impeachment conviction stayed on his record, and he never held public office again.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:42 am
Heh…I think WBBM should have been doing “impeachment traffic” updates for House members trying to get to Springfield from the city and suburbs during this nice weather we’re having. Mighta helped Feigenholtz
Comment by Concerned Observer Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:47 am
We stand here today becase of the perfidy of one man
So the Guv was at this all by his lonesome all these years.
That’s a little much. Recall these words if Fitz goes for a RICO and calls the whole State Government a criminal conspiracy.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:47 am
Ouchie wawa-that was a good speech. I have become a fan of Rep. Mendoza.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:47 am
===For example, if he wins the JCAr lawsuit, what do they do then?===
If, if, if. And if the sky was green then grass might be blue.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:47 am
Maybe Dunkin is brushing Rod’s hair for him.
Comment by phocion Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:48 am
Rep. Mendoza, “It’s amazingly fitting that Governor Blagojevich face impeachment today of all days. On his self admitted hero Richard Nixon’s birthday. Their common bond of impeachment will unite them in history’s dark annals of corruption, but even Nixon displayed more integrity than Blagojevich by resigning before he was impeached.”
Comment by kimsch Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:48 am
Granberg’s resignation makes me think that Rod may have one more Gubernatorial appointment up his sleeve before he’s history…if he appoints Granberg to head up DNR, I hope it’s the first thing Gov. Quinn undoes after he’s in charge…
Comment by Anonymous45 Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:52 am
“Perhaps Gov. Blago should stop hanging out with criminals.”
Most, if not all, of those people, were not criminals until they got Blagojeviched.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:53 am
Any word on Dunkin primary challengers? What a clown.
Comment by ChiefIlliniwek Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:54 am
Is there any channel covered by RCN that is showing the house live right now? I cant get the video to work on ilga. I saw someone mentioned CLTV earlier but couldnt find it on RCN.
Thanks for the help.
Comment by Skip Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:55 am
@CO
It’s 33 and sunny here in Springfield..
Comment by Anonymous Coward Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:55 am
Someone want to explain why this guy is sort of defending Rod?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:56 am
ruh roh. I rescind my comment about bad traffic for Sara, and hope for the best.
Comment by Concerned Observer Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
lol “got Blagojeviched,” I like that. A new verb in politics.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
If you have trouble with any feeds, CNN.com has a good one.
On the audio side, if you are in springfield, 91.9 wuis public radio is very good.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:57 am
OneMan, they’re just questions. Be patient and listen.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:58 am
CNN.com is doing the live feed from the Chamber.
Comment by Juice Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:59 am
What was Rep Miller’s question?
The feed fron IGA cut out and missed it
Comment by WCIL Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 9:59 am
New T-shirt: Just a slogan on the front — “Have you been Blagojeviched?”
For added effect, possibly a small picture of a kitty?
Comment by unclesam Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:00 am
Ok now it makes sense. Just surprised by his questions…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:01 am
===This whole impeachment sham is payback for the governor making their lives miserable the past three years or so.===
Yeah, go with that one. It’s all the evil House’s fault. Rod did nothing wrong whatsoever. He’s a hero. He’s innocent. He’s the greatest governor ever.
That’ll work, I’m sure.
CBS2…
===A survey reported in Rich Miller’s “Capitol Fax” newsletter shows Illinois voters have had it up to here with Blagojevich, who is the focus of impeachment proceedings in Springfield.
When asked “Should the General Assembly remove Gov. Blagojevich?” – 78 percent said “yes”; 12 percent said “no.” Ten percent said they didn’t know or were not sure.===
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:01 am
===For added effect, possibly a small picture of a kitty?
===
I like that google image of just the hair alone standing at a podium:
http://home.mchsi.com/~beyondbelief/podium.gif
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:03 am
WBEZ’s online feed is carrying the WUIS audio http://www.wbez.org/FlashStream.aspx
Monique Davis “what has brought us to where we are today? We heard a lot of rumors, read a lot of newspaper articles. I’m not going to say we turned our head, but each of us had bits of information”
Okay Representative - I’ll say it - you guys should have done this last year right after Rezko was convicted and the Ali Ata plea was entered. it makes you all look bad that you didn’t do it sooner. I know about the Emil roadblock, but still this should have happened sooner.
Comment by carbon deforestation Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:04 am
Rep. Davis said “What has brought us to where we are today?”
I heard Darren McGavin “The Old Man” from A Christmas Story…
“What has brought you to this lowly state?”
Maybe our Governor has soap poisioning.
Comment by bored on 1 Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:06 am
===I know about the Emil roadblock, but still this should have happened sooner. ===
The Emil roadblock made it impossible. Also, the House simply wasn’t ready to impeach last year or in 2007. This is a gigantic step. It’s the hugest thing imaginable for politicians. And the step couldn’t have been taken without something big like the governor’s arrest.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:07 am
Chiatty, I’m not sure what your point is. The power of impeachment is in the Constitution. The federal criminal charges are separate. It’s up to the GA, they don’t have to wait on the feds.
A governor has never been impeached until today. And he’s not the first governor that was unpopular with the GA. It’s a lot bigger than that.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:11 am
wordslinger, Chiatty has no point. Just another RRB troublemaker trying to blame everyone else for the problems caused by the governor himself. That’s nothing new.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:12 am
Thanks for the link to Trib/WGN video. Local cable does not have today’s session.
All eyes are on Illinois. I read several online papers including Irish and British. They are also following this no doubt because of the Obama connection in regards to the Senate seat.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:13 am
AA tips the hat, a bit late, to Rep. Monique Davis. Heartfelt and right on point.
“You have not just shamed yourself, you have shamed all of us and the entire State of Illinois.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:19 am
Trib:
“Where, you might ask, is Gov. Rod Blagojevich as the Illinois House debates his impeachment?
A Tribune photographer took pictures of Blagojevich going jogging in his Ravenswood Manor neighborhood at about 10 a.m.”
Comment by Anonymous Coward Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:20 am
Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Blago goes jogging.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:22 am
===Any word on Dunkin primary challengers? What a clown. ===
I think the question might be better phrased as “Any word on who’s Dunkins attorney?”.
And keep the clown part.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:23 am
–A Tribune photographer took pictures of Blagojevich going jogging in his Ravenswood Manor neighborhood at about 10 a.m.”–
You can run, but you can’t hide.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:24 am
He’s got a 2pm presser in the blue room.
Comment by Scooby Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:26 am
Who was the “no” vote?
Comment by observation Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:27 am
HE GONE!
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:28 am
===12 percent said “no.” Ten percent said they didn’t know or were not sure.===
Who are these people? Maybe one out of 100 people but I can’t imagine finding 22 people out of 100 who don’t want him to go. Maybe the HD TV thing kicked in earlier and their analog TV’s don’t work.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:28 am
As an old cynic, I am really impressed by the sincerity and eloquence of the house members.
Comment by oakparker Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:29 am
so who voted against?
Comment by kimsch Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:29 am
Patterson was the “no” vote, according to the board, if I am not mistaken.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:29 am
Is Rod’s presser in Springfield or in Chicago?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:29 am
Patterson voted no. Anyone have any background as to why this would be?
Comment by Say WHAT? Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:30 am
So who in the blue h-e-double hockey sticks voted NO?
Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:33 am
Andy Shaw from ABC just commented that Patterson might have voted no due to the district he serves being pretty well insulated and time will tell if his vote way a safe one or not. Could it have been the free rides for seniors and medical? If so - shameless pandering. People will see through that.
Comment by Say WHAT? Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:38 am
CNN doing a Breaking News report on the impeachment. Showed the gov running down the street from his house in the snow.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:40 am
===Andy Shaw from ABC just commented that Patterson might have voted no due to the district he serves being pretty well insulated and time will tell if his vote way a safe one or not===
Wrong.
He didn’t run last year.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:41 am
21-0, followed by 114-1-1. By contrast, the House Judiciary voted 27-11 on Nixon’s impeachment. No full House vote.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:43 am
“Yeah, go with that one. It’s all the evil House’s fault. Rod did nothing wrong whatsoever. He’s a hero. He’s innocent. He’s the greatest governor ever.”
Rich, sadly there are people that feel this way - at least when they’re late with their medications.
Comment by Ken in Aurora Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:44 am
What type of job does voting present get you?
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:47 am
Heh, Milt’s on his way out I believe. He should’ve voted present like Jeffries.
Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:48 am
Rep. Patterson - well, then whose “job” do you think it is?
Comment by TGIF Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:50 am
Rep. Mendoza was a star today. Sure the remarks were prepared, but that is appropriate, and they were great. Not
just well written, but delivered with a serious but fresh take.
She’s a candidate for state ticket consideration.
Comment by Amy Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:50 am
Nearly Normal: Oddly enough, I believe voting “present” earns you a no-show position.
(sorry, too easy)
Comment by Concerned Observer Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:52 am
“Phew”
Why do you say that?
Well it takes care of any opponent picking up petiton papers.
What do you mean?
You do know that petitions can be circulated starting August?
That soon?
Yea.
So that’s why the House keeled over.
You bet.
What about the other body?
Most of them don’t have to worry about peitions until 2009.
You think that might make a difference?
We’ll see.
Comment by True Observer Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:52 am
Finally! The light at the end of the tunnel is finally glimmering. I thought we were going to wonder in the dark for decades to come.
Comment by Sick Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:52 am
The script should have said 2011.
Comment by True Observer Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:55 am
I’d like to comment on Al Riley’s statement this morning. Rep. Riley felt it necessary to assure citizens that even after impeachment, society has systems in place to keep the world we know functioning.
Can you imagine feeling that this needed to be said? I don’t believe Mr. Riley is wrong to express these assurances. We have been pandered and pampered in our daily lives by nanny government to a point where there are fears that with the removal of a governor, our world collapses. This isn’t a healthy citizen/government relationship, is it?
Rep. Riley scores points for expressing these assurances. But let’s hope in the future that Illinoians are mature and responsible enough not to have these kinds of fears.
We control our public officials, not the other way around. When we believe the reverse of this, we are hostages, not citizens.
Impeachement is finally here for Rod Blagojevich. It is a shame that this didn’t occur when it should have, back in 2005. Had the General Assembly and our state leaders taken their responsibilities seriously instead of getting into bed with Blagojevich, 2009 wouldn’t be as big a challenge as it is now. Three more years of his governorship had allowed his gubernatorial corruption to drive Illinois to bankrupsy.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:55 am
I dont know how people can say Blago is ineefective; thats twice now he has persuaded more then 100 members of the house to vote together.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 10:58 am
90% of state workers: going out together for a celebratory lunch at the local watering hole.
10% of state workers: feverishly updating their resume and worried sick.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:00 am
~Is Rod’s presser in Springfield or in Chicago?~
OneMan, you serious?
Another presser in the Blue Room. The days of big press conferences with dozens of “supporters” staged behind him are gone.
Comment by Lurker Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:01 am
Rich, Don’t know what your numbers are for today, but ironically once the vote came down, I lost my connection to Cap Fax. Almost like the Gov pulled the plug on you!!
It is a good day for Illinois. Well done to all House Members, I have gained a lot more respect for some of the members. Mendoza, Fritchy and Franks especially.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:02 am
“A Blagojevich spokesman said the governor will not resign. A 2 p.m. news conference with the governor is scheduled for the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago.”
…and hopefully announce his resignation? Too good to hope for?
Comment by sal-says Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:02 am
Illinois pre-Rod = Corruption
Illinois post-Rod = Corruption
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
I am hoping for better, but not holding my breath.
Comment by Porter Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:06 am
===Any word on Dunkin primary challengers? What a clown. ===
I heard a rumor that a Chicago lawyer, Dan Balanoff is going to be running, haven’t heard much about him?
Comment by Snowman Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:06 am
Nearly Normal — “What type of job does voting present get you?”
The White House.
Comment by ChiGal Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:12 am
“If somehow that’s impeachable, then I’m on the wrong planet”
Does the space ship arrive at 2 p.m.?
Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:12 am
OH WELL!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:12 am
Will DimRod declare this overwhelming vote against him another “victory?”
I wish the Senate could convene the trial today.
Comment by anon sequitor Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:17 am
Is Dan Balanoff any relation to Clem Balanoff? Just asking…
Comment by HoBoSkillet Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:17 am
True Observer, you predicted a close vote in the House.
From now on, please refrain from making any and all predictions. Your pass has been revoked.
Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:19 am
Woke up, fell out of bed,
used a comb and brush several times upon my head
when downstairs and had a cup
somebody spoke…
and I was impeached.
I am not bored on 1 today…I am as giddy as a schoolgirl.
Comment by bored on 1 Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:20 am
When will the sad sack media start asking Cross about his deals with Blaggo????????
He says he “dismayed”
Just called him a friend
Comment by Nose For News Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:21 am
So do you think we should really expect him to preside over the Senate next week?
Comment by So do ya?? Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:23 am
Cross presser was lame
Media dropped by not pressing on his private deals with Blaggo
What a messs
Comment by Nose For News Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:24 am
I believe he’s related to Tom Balanoff but It’s the same family I’m sure..
Comment by Snowman Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:25 am
The fact that some folks are still seriously predicting that Blago might somehow beat the impeachment rap just goes to show how deeply Blago’s actions have infected the people of Illinois with cynicism. It’s really, really hard not to be tempted to think he will, still, somehow, find a way to get away with it, and that the prospect of his being removed from office is too good to be true. That, to me, is far sadder than the impeachment itself.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:27 am
OK. Back to looking into the crystal ball.
===Patricia Young resigned her seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Board of Commissioners to return to her former position in the public affairs division of the district.Under Illinois law, the governor appoints a replacement.===
He waits until the trial in the Senate is almost over. Then appoints himself. Buys himself a few more paychecks, albeit smaller. I have no idea how you get rid of a MWRD commish but he could stay there until conviction.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:29 am
At the announcement of Rod Burris as his choice to replace Obama in the U.S. Senate, Rod gave a parting shot to the press that “even though I’ve enjoyed the limelight of the past two weeks…” Do you think he was basking in the limelight this morning and even more this afternoon during his upcoming press conference? The sad thing is that Governot Speechify will believe this is an “UP” day because he has been the center of attention, never mind every single bit of it has been negative.
And suddenly, his desperate attempt to show the press that he is a “working” governor who goes to the JRTC every day seems to now turn to “watch me jog through my neighborhood at mid morning without a care in the world when I should be at work.” How soon will Patti begin divorce proceedings? She, of all people, should know he’s certifiably nuts. He just doesn’t have the papers yet to prove it.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:34 am
Bill
Oh Well is the best you got?
Comment by Leave a light on George Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:34 am
Another up day in the Governor’s bizzaro world. In all actuality, this is going to be an up day compared to what’s coming.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:37 am
In Blagoof world I’m sure it’s an up day. Oh, look a kitty!!
Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:39 am
VMan, do you know anyone who is scared or thinks the world is going to collapse if Blago is removed?
Polls show an overwhelming majority of citizens want it to happen, so I don’t think they’re too scared from all that alleged nanny-state pampering (where does that come from, anyway?).
Riley also brought up JFK’s assassination and the tumult of the 60s in relationship to today’s action. Give me a break. It’s historic for Illinois, but it’s still just tossing a cheap hustler out of office and nothing more.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:40 am
If you all thought he was doing a great deal of bobbing and weaving during his press conference after his arrest, look for him to really be bobbing around today. I don’t know what kind of meds he takes before press conferences like this, or what kind of meds he is on that keeps him from facing reality, but I’d like some of them once in a while.
Comment by Just My Opinion Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:44 am
When asked “Should the General Assembly remove Gov. Blagojevich?” – 78 percent said “yes”; 12 percent said “no.” Ten percent said they didn’t know or were not sure.===
What, did Bill vote multiple times?
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:46 am
Leave a light,
Yeah, that’s all I got.It’s on to the next candidate, the next election, and next elected official. You really can’t help someone who won’t or can’t help themselves.
I’m glad Roland got taken care of even if it was for the wrong reasons. I think Dunkin deserves the MWRD job if that’s legal. $50K and a car ain’t a bad supplement for no work.
That would just about wrap it up.
By the way, while you are gloating remember that you are about six weeks away from the Quinn administration. So if you are looking for some return to “normalcy” you can forget about it. It will be a big payday for any old Walker cronies that are still alive.
The Speaker may live to regret his death feud with ol’Rod yet.
Comment by Bill Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:55 am
===Patricia Young resigned her seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s Board of Commissioners to return to her former position in the public affairs division of the district.Under Illinois law, the governor appoints a replacement.===
Hmmm….pension spiking?
Calling Tim Novak….
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:55 am
====- Leave a light on George - Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:34 am:
Bill
Oh Well is the best you got?===
I thought it was funny. But not as funny as the day the gov was arrested though.
===- Bill - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 8:26 am:
WHOOPS!
====
I laughed all day at that one.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:55 am
Bill - you’re one step closer to being freed of the shackles that have held you for the past six years. Do we need to call in one of those cult “deprogrammers” to help talk you down?
Comment by S. Illinois Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 11:57 am
I knew there would be at least one who’d vote ‘no’. Gotta get some press….or, halitosis is better than no breath at all. Loser.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:03 pm
What happened with Feigenholtz? Did she show up or did someone press her button?
Comment by Reality Check Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:06 pm
===What happened with Feigenholtz? Did she show up or did someone press her button?===
She showed.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:10 pm
When asked “Should the General Assembly remove Gov. Blagojevich?” – 78 percent said “yes”; 12 percent said “no.” Ten percent said they didn’t know or were not sure.
It looks like 12% are concerned about their world collapsing. I also recall Rep. Flowers last night telling the committee that she has constituents who still believe that “the Governor is a saint”, because of his freebies.
Reps. Riley, Patterson, Flowers, and I’m sure a few of our other representatives are not crazy when they address constituents concerned over a post-Blagojevich future.
Don’t like hearing about how social programs infantize citizens? Sorry, it is just a fact confirmed through statements and actions today.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:17 pm
Been There, your thought that Rod might appoint himself to MWRD might not be farfetched. Vulgar and insane, but not farfetched.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:17 pm
VMan, like Rod, you have a unique perspective. Finis.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:21 pm
OK, I have a question. Now that he has been impeached are his powers taken away or can he still do damage to the Government? My thought is at this time he should be placed on “Administrative leave” so he cannot inflict more damage.
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:22 pm
I was in the gallery this morning while all of this went down. The first thing that stood out was how few people spoke. Everyone I talked to before the House convened was saying “it will be 3 hours” or “there are 117 people that have to speak”. Didn’t take all that long.
Secondly, Rep. Miller was getting a lot of dirty looks during his remarks. This didn’t strike me as odd until the Patterson vote, but I have to wonder if no one took a whip count. It was a foregone conclusion (so much in fact that I had already pre-written by text message with a blank spot for the vote total).
It was eerie to hear Speaker Madigan announce the Governor impeached. I always pictured this day would be filled with Bill Black yelling at the top of his lungs or other histrionics. It was solemn, diginified and the perfect way to begin what I hope and pray is a new chapter in Illinois.
Comment by jwscott72 Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:22 pm
Bill -
I know we all have an ego, but you’ve spent years fighting us over the very issues Rod Blagojevich was impeached on this morning. With the vote of 114-1, the Illinois General Assembly not just voted to strip your governor from the Office, their vote also puts them down as supporting those of us with whom you have been arguing.
When you just shake it off and say that you are moving on, you are being unfair. Your comments this morning insult your years of Blagojevichian arguments and comments. Do you want us to believe that you have no comments on a day when your man was historically impeached?
Last month, Alan Greenspan publically admitted how he screwed up. In 2006, and in 2008, I admitted right on this blog that I was wrong about both of those elections. I even wrote that you were right. I have read others who have done the same thing when they have been objectively shown how they were incorrect over a debate point or issue.
You owe us.
You owe us a little bit more than you have given so far today. You had been named “Capitolfaxblogger of the year” over your pro-Blagojevich postings. Your US Senate publicity was based on your Blagojevichian legend. Not getting a great posting on your thoughts today would be like buying the latest Clay Aiken album and discovering him singing Elvis Costello songs.
You owe us a great mea culpa that only you can write.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:33 pm
VMan, like Rod, you have a unique perspective. Finis.
I’m not unique, hence my name.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:36 pm
===You owe us a great mea culpa that only you can write.===
If Bill really, truly believed all that crud he wrote, I’d agree with you, VM.
However, I think 75 percent of it was him pulling everyone’s chains.
The question now is whom Bill shills for next?
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:39 pm
. . . by the way, Bill, if you don’t think the Speaker and the members would rather deal with a bunch of old Walker cronies rather than an administration whose liaisons rarely showed up at committee and when they did didn’t know why they were there (or who had to call Hoffman or Handley and ask “Can I speak?”) then you haven’t been watching this disaster very closely over the past 6 years.
Bring on the Walker people!!!
Comment by Gordenita Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:43 pm
The Mighty Quinn?
Comment by HoBoSkillet Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:45 pm
What time do you expect the politicians in the black robes; Illinois Supremes, will block for Jesse White and Lisa Madigan, while they pont by denying Burris motion for a Writ of Mandamus to compel Jesse White to sign and Seal Burris’ Certificate of Appointment to the U.S. Senate?
Do you think that they’ll send Burris to federal court to have him work to overturn the Senate Rule requiring the signature and seal on the Certificate of Appointment as an unconstitutional extra qualification for becoming a member of the U.S. Senate.
Reid and Durbin will be put in a box to either waive the requirement, or defend in court the 200+ year old rule that has never been waived before; according to Durbin.
This will of course bring the issue full circle to where it started; with Durbin, immediately after Burris appointment, when he called for a Special Election.
Do you think he will wait for Obama to tell him what to do again if this happens, or will Durbin be able to make a decision for himself; and stick with it?
Comment by Blago Sphere Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:45 pm
References to watch out for a Governorship under Patrick Quinn are probably a good assessment. As a Governor who was not elected, his strings to those to whom he may be indebted may not be many, thus making his policy objectives and procedures less predictable. The next couple years for Illinois state government should be quite interesting indeed. I really have not much of a clue as to Lt. Gov. Quinn’s relationships with leaders in either chamber. The Governship may be something he has longed for, but I think he would be quite humbled by the manner in which he may be gaining it.
Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:49 pm
So what does it mean now that the Il supreme court says Jesses doesn’t need to sign the certification? Is Roland right where he started?
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:51 pm
And by the way, my own humble opinion is that Obama should keep quite a distance from the issue of whether or not to to seat Burris. He has a load of much more significant issues to address, plus seeing the Executive meddling with the Legislative branch just seems a little too “Illinois” for me.
Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:53 pm
[…] Rich Miller is live-blogging the day’s events and providing background and insight into some of the quirks of the day. Of note, he’s got some info on the 1 no vote (perhaps it was a protest vote against the party machine) and the 1 present vote (she’s looking for work … and perhaps didn’t want to offend our highly offensive guv). […]
Pingback by The 12 Days of Fitzmas: Happy Impeachment Day… Now on to Conviction Day « Illinois Reason Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:57 pm
VanMan, Bill is THE #1 button pusher, and he gets a thrill out of doing so. That’s the only thing anyone posting here trumps Rich at. However, Rich really worked hard at taking the title away from Bill when at the end of 2007 Rich named Bill the Blogger of the Year. I thought you should have won but, hey, if I want you to be the Blogger of the Year, I can start my own blog, right Rich?
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:57 pm
MWRD is a good job - he should totally do that!
Comment by carbon deforestation Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:58 pm
Then they blocked for Lisa and Jesse, and punted all the way to Washington.
As predicted.
Comment by Blago Sphere Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 12:59 pm
–I’m not unique, hence my name.–
Don’t sell yourself short, dude.
You took a few overwrought remarks by Riley, which he prefaced were meant for children, plus a 12% Blago approval rating and made a causal connection that “social programs infantize citizens.”
That type of thinking must be unique. I doubt if you read all the world press or all the political blogs on the impeachment vote that you’ll find a similar analysis.
You ascribe this condition to constituents of “Riley, Flowers, Patterson and I’m sure a few of our other representatives.” What are you trying to say?
By the way, Nixon had a 20% approval rating when he resigned. Were those Southern good ol’ boys and big-city ironworkers “infantized” as well?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:00 pm
“please keep this as an open forum or you’ll be removed from my favorites”
OH NO!!! Not that!
Comment by Bill Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:02 pm
LOL
I deleted the comment just to make sure I was “deleted from [his/her] favorites.”
Moron.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:03 pm
Seeing that Nixon picture, all I can think of is that nobody on Earth but Steve Carrell can play Blago in the movie.
Comment by Muskrat Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:07 pm
Rich, your “bais” is showing? Is that some funky new way to wear your pants or something?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:10 pm
I have also seen John Travolta and Stephen Baldwin mentioned as possible big-screen Blagos. Although I doubt Travolta would want to do it, seeing as how all these climactic events happened around the same time his son died.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:13 pm
==The question now is whom Bill shills for next?==
That is somewhat of a dilemma for me. There will never be another Rod Blagojevich. Well, wait, never say never in Illinois. I’ll still post regularly and still root for the underdog or whomever VanMan hates.
Comment by Bill Friday, Jan 9, 09 @ 1:19 pm