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* The governor said this today on Don & Roma’s show…
“Give me a right to call witnesses, give me a right to subpoena witnesses and documents, to properly prepare a case — and I’ll be the first one there,” said Blagojevich.
* But Senate President John Cullerton made a very good point today in the Sun-Times…
“No party has the unrestricted right to subpoena witnesses,” Cullerton said. “It’s not a criminal matter. It’s an impeachment proceeding.”
Get that? Neither side has an unrestricted right to subpoena in this impeachment trial. Actually, neither side has an unrestricted subpoena right in a criminal trial.
The governor could have filed subpoena requests. He could have brought in witnesses who have been ordered by Blagojevich to do goofy things and testify that they knew he didn’t really mean it and they never followed through. He could have brought in witnesses who could testify to his character, who perhaps talked to him about the Obama Senate seat vacancy and how he wanted to make sure he did the right thing for the people.
But he couldn’t do that because it would’ve likely harmed his criminal case. So, he boycots and throws verbal bombs…
“If I participate in that sham impeachment . . . I will undermine the people,” Blagojevich said. He also said, “I can be soldier in the fight for constitutional rights.”
He already “undermined the people” with his behavior the past two years. And he’s “soldiering” for his own constitutional rights as he sees them, not for anybody else…
He said if he is forced from office, it would set a dangerous precedent, putting all future governors in the position of having to “cower” to the legislature “and kiss their you-know-what because he’ll be afraid that what they did to me, they’ll do to him.”
Yeah, OK. The precedent this sets is if a future governor is arrested by FBI agents at his home at six o’clock in the morning, handcuffed, hauled off to jail and then refuses to resign and claims he is completely and totally innocent even though he is caught on surveillance tapes, that future governor is gonna get impeached.
Period.
Blagojevich likened the current drama surrounding him “to a 21st Century Frank Capra movie… how the good guy was up against the establishment… But he stood firm for the people. That’s what this is about.”
The only person Rod Blagojevich is standing for is himself. That’s what this is really about. His own skin.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:40 am
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Everything he is doing will look good when the insanity plea comes up during the federal case. He is going to end up in some lovely institution, not prision. He is not crazy, just smart. Okay, maybe not smart. Shrewd?
Comment by bored on 1 Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:43 am
Last time i checked, the Illinois General Assembly was elected to represent the will of the people.
And unless I’m mistaken, all of them got more than 50% of the vote in their elections, meaning they represent the will of the majority, a simple claim that the governor cannot make.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:46 am
The precedent is that there are three branches of government and that if the governor wants to create a new program he/she will need to have legislative approval for the program and the funding.
That is the core of the impeachment. That is the core of our government. Rod is very much like George W. in this respect: They both believe in an imperial executive. Neither Constitution (US or Illinois) supports that assertion.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:46 am
His remarks today and the ones about Pearl Harbor
show that this man is so self centered.
For Iliinois once he is gone, “it’s a Wonderful Life”.
Comment by downstate demo Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:47 am
Blago continues to believe the premise of Orwell’s 1984. If you repeat lies often enough, (newspeak) he thinks they becomes the truth. A speedy trial in the Senate will terminate the propaganda.
Comment by One of the 35 Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:52 am
Rich,
I have to challenge your assertion that Rod “already ‘undermined the people’ with his behavior the past two years.”
Don’t you mean the last six years.
Comment by From the Sidelines Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:53 am
It’s gotten much worse over the past two years.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:56 am
Yeah, OK. The precedent this sets is if a future governor is arrested by FBI agents at his home at six o’clock in the morning, handcuffed, hauled off to jail and then refuses to resign and claims he is completely and totally innocent, that future governor is gonna get impeached.
Actually, the precedent is narrower than that. It isn’t just that he was arrested; he was also caught on tape.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:56 am
the Other Anonymous, you’re right. Updated.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 9:57 am
His constant lying while quoting scripture isn’t going to serve him too well either. He loves to claim how God is watching out for him in these tough times and the truth will set him free, ect.
Guess what Rod, God really doesn’t like to be used as a scape goat for nafarious and immoral activities and if you were not so delusional you might notice that things haven’t been exactly going too well for you.
Truthfully, I believe one of the worst sins is using God as cover to transgress.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:00 am
The guy who got a C in constitutional law is now soldiering for constitutional rights. Yay.
Comment by Just Sayin' Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:03 am
It’s clear now that no one wanted to impeach him, that the talk last year was bluff, leverage. But the tapes and criminal complaint forced the GA hand.
No one wants to go through this nonsense again.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:03 am
PJW: that, I think, is what it really means to “take the Lord’s name in vain”.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:08 am
I wouldn’t doubt that someone might believe his lines about raising taxes on the people. This is a bad time to raise taxes yet there has to be revenue to get the state of the red somehow.
Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:10 am
It’s never pretty when a meglomaniac goes down.
Comment by Capitol View Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:16 am
This is a political process. It’s not a legal process.
The Guv’s a demagogue and plays the politics very well. This isn’t going to end quick.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:24 am
I think it is safe to say that this guy is one of a kind, that we won’t be seeing a public official like this again for a while. I keep trying to find a comparison with other historic figures and I come up empty. How do you reason with this man? How do you convince him he is off base? The common ways of dealing with others in society don’t work with him. We may someday have a name for this syndrome, and it will be named after him.
Comment by Stooges Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:25 am
===Yeah, OK. The precedent this sets is if a future governor is arrested by FBI agents at his home at six o’clock in the morning, handcuffed, hauled off to jail and then refuses to resign and claims he is completely and totally innocent even though he is caught on surveillance tapes, that future governor is gonna get impeached.
Hence, why taking this long is sort of pointless. This not only is a pointless argument, but is a pretty good criticism of how this is taking too long.
Comment by ArchPundit Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:27 am
What he hasn’t thought through is the false dichotomy that it’s either (a) Rod Blagojevich in office or (b) higher taxes.
If he’s saying he’s the lynchpin — the only thing coming between us and taxes — then bring on the taxes. If those are choices, I’ll take the taxes. I don’t want higher taxes of course, and it’s absurd to think that he — and he alone is the only one that cares about this — but there you go. That’s my vote, Rod. I’ll take the taxes.
The other issue — and one that Wade and Roma should have pounced on — is the idea that Blagojevich’s crazy (and alleged) wheeling-dealing might have brought us to a point now where the taxes we now are face are even *higher* than we might have faced had a more moderate, conciliatory worked with the legislature over the past six years.
If my taxes are going to be high come May — I place the blame squarely on Rod. He’s the reason for whatever I may (or may not) pay. The state’s in bad shape. At some point — as Obama points out — we gotta give a bit. So okay, I’ll give. I’ll pay my fair share. I don’t like it, but I’ll do it. But Blagojevich better know that I place the *blame* for this on him. I blame the anti-reformer, the guy that couldn’t compromise, and the guy that cared nothing about the people he claims to represent.
Maybe I’m alone in this. But I refuse to give in to the idea that in order to restore order Blagojevich must stay where he is and continue down the dead end.
It’s over.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:28 am
Undermined the people by allowing state Governor to move at a standstill while fighting for the people? Yeah impeachment will undermine people compared to that.
Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:29 am
What he hasn’t thought through is the false dichotomy that it’s either (a) Rod Blagojevich in office or (b) higher taxes
Kass is going around saying the plan is get rid of the Guv, get Quinn to propose a take hike, throw Quinn under the bus and elect Lisa.
That doesn’t seem particularly far fetched…
…given the acceptance of business as usual in this State, Blago may have a workable political defense going here…
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:31 am
==The Guv’s a demagogue and plays the politics very well. ==
For someone who plays it very well, he finds himself in a curious position.
The fact is Mell, pulled out all the stops to get him the nomination the first time, and the GOP was too weak to compete. He then sold his office like no one else had before to demonize another weak GOP opponent with TV ads.
Let that be a lesson for all you fathers-in-law out there. It’s admirable to help your neer-do-well son-in-law get a job, but don’t get him a job that he’s not fit for and will only get him in trouble.
He should have stayed in Congress.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:34 am
Rich, what time is the Judge going to rule on whether or not portions of the tapes get released? (I believe the date was set for today.)
Comment by Juice Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:35 am
===For someone who plays it very well, he finds himself in a curious position.===
Exactly.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:35 am
===Kass is going around saying===
You should stop right there.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:36 am
Wordslinger, Rich.. It may be the Guv’s failings are as son-in-law, and not as Politican.
If he had been better at keeping the family together, he might not be in this mess.
He’s been elected twice, crushed Topinka when we all knew about corruption and Rezko, was a huge fundraiser, thumbed his nose at a hugely popular Obama with the Burris pick… he will go down, but he plays a savvy game.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:40 am
===Kass is going around saying===
You should stop right there.
People listen to Kass. They’re going to hear it from Kass, and then the Guv… it could stick.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:41 am
Phineas J Whoopee…you’re right about Rod and his belief that God is watching over him (probably wearing sunglasses). I wonder if Rod thinks that God watches over FBI Agents, and US Attorneys as well?
Comment by SpfldJimbo Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:41 am
Word,
Is that the Don Corleon advice for dealing with son in laws? lol
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:42 am
I once worked with a pathological liar and it was spooky experience. I think Blagojevich is also a pathological liar.
Comment by qseofr Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:45 am
Phineas, I believe what Vito told Hagen was “Give him a living, but never discuss the family business.”
Mell should have paid closer attention to the flick.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:47 am
Now he’s a ‘Soldier for Constitutional Rights’…what happened to the answer he has given publicly when challenged on previous questionable decisions…he said he got a ‘C’ in Constitutional Law because he was too busy surfing at Pepperdine?!
Comment by GOP Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:47 am
If this “strategy” is truly about saving his own skin, Rich, do you think the idea is to portray himself as a victim now as a way to taint/curry favor with a Cook County jury of his peers in the criminal trial?
Comment by Reality Check Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:50 am
I think you are all over reacting. The Guv is great. How can a man under so much pressure keep so many high ranking public officials in both the State and Federal Government on the Ropes. He is the greatest politician of our time. Embrace the horror.
If the Guv is really hurting for cash, he should market some type of alcholic beverage. After all, who hasn’t thought, “I’d like to have what he is drinking.”
“Blago Juice”, makes you smarter than Obama, Stronger then the Federal Prosecutor, and able to leap Senate rules with a single bound. uhhh…I’ll take a case?
He could also represent himself in the Senate and auction off the right to be second chair on ebay. How much would a front row seat to this show be worth?
I love this guy!
Comment by the Patriot Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:55 am
He’s going to make a statement to day at 2 p.m. - hasn’t he said enough today?! He is out of control. I predict more of the same garbage.
Comment by Lurker Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 10:55 am
The same day Milorod was impeached Me TV in Chicago ran an old movie about a corrupt Governor being impeached. I watched it and couldn’t believe this was a coincidence but now I can’t remember the name. Does anyome know this film?
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:06 am
Yes, it’s about his own skin. But it becoming more and more personal as well. As we shall probably soon see. Not quietly, all. Yikes.
Comment by Narcoleptic Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:10 am
I previously posted my concerns about subpoena powers and after the Senate Rules were posted on this topic, my concerns on that topic pretty much have been alleviated.
But wanting to call certain witnesses and being forbidden because of the potential federal criminal trial is one thing. But how does he plan to deal with all the other charges which lead to impeachment which had nothing to do with the criminal complaint?
Assuming he gets the right to call Obama’s new chief of staff to testify and he says nothing unusual happened or no demands were made, then how does he deal with the other charges?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:01 pm
I think rich summed it all up — grod’s motivation is to save his own skin. Always has been and always will be.
Comment by Ditto Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:05 pm
Frank Capra! Wow that’s rich. If he wants to pull a Jimmy Stewart maybe he should wash his mouth out and stop wearing black leather jackets.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:40 pm
Whoopee, could that have been “All the King’s Men” with Broderick Crawford (whose character is based on Louisiana’s Huey Long)?
A movie I’d like to see over again right now is “Network,” since Blago seems determined to become the Mad Governor of the Airwaves.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:46 pm
It just seems that the longer this drama continues the more unstable Rob becomes.
I can’t help but wonder what kind of display we’ll get next. Maybe Clint Eastwood, comeon and make my day…
Comment by sneaker Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:31 pm
[…] THE BLOG TODAY… * The governor’s media event * This just in… Gov to speak at 2 o’clock *** Daley calls him “cuckoo” again *** * Unclear on theconcept * This just in… Oberman out of 5th District race * Question of the day * More Blagojevich lies * The “secret plot” to raise taxes * This just in… Guv on the radio *** UPDATED xSEVERAL *** * Quinn on the White Sox, “sacrifice,” governing * Morning Shorts * SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax * Politico: Giannoulias puts out feelers for US Senate; AP: “Advisor B” identified ** Yesterday’s blog posts […]
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