February 24th, 2009 // comments (0)

Update: Durbin Tells Burris To Resign

Burris, not surprisingly, declined the invitation…:

In a meeting with Roland Burris today, Illionis Sen. Dick Durbin told Burris under the circumstance he should resign.

Burris said he would not.

Burris also told Durbin he has not made up his mind about running in 2010.

February 17th, 2009 // comments (0)

Burris: “I Have Nothing To Hide”

This after he admitted to attempting fundraising for Blagojevich…:

[flashvideo filename=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q9a3a-E3YM /]

January 29th, 2009 // comments (0)

Illinois Senate Ousts Blago 59-0

It looks like that last-ditch effort closing statement fell flat:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted at his impeachment trial and thrown out of office Thursday, ending a nearly two-month crisis that erupted with his arrest on charges he tried to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat.

Blagojevich becomes the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.

After a four-day trial, the Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to convict him on the

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January 29th, 2009 // comments (0)

Blagojevich Makes Closing Statement

Blagojevich will be impeached shortly afterward. You can watch it live here….

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrived at the state Capitol Thursday to deliver a “passionate” speech at his impeachment trial that could be a last-ditch attempt to keep his job just hours before a possible vote to remove him from office.

Upon his arrival, Blagojevich said he’s not giving up hope and that he’s going to keep fighting.

Blagojevich was working past midnight Wednesday on his “passionate”

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January 27th, 2009 // comments (0)

Audio: The Blagojevich Tapes

Covert recordings of Gov. Rod Blagojevich — in which the governor discussed dealing with gambling legislation and an alleged interest in a corresponding campaign donation — were played for the first time in public today.

Full transcripts of the audio recording can be found here…

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

January 27th, 2009 // comments (0)

Photo Of The Day: 01/27/09

During the testimony, aides posted huge placards on a stand at the front of the chamber with verbatim excerpts from the recordings — including an alleged quote from Blagojevich saying the Senate seat is a “f—king valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”

During one conversation with Harris, Blagoejvich is quoted as saying that the state might not be able to help the Tribune company with the Wrigley deal and the Illinois Finance Authority because of

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January 26th, 2009 // comments (0)

Live: Blagojevich Impeachment

This could plausibly wrap up today — sending Blagojevich out:

January 26th, 2009 // comments (0)

Blagojevich On Good Morning America

You ready for this? He thought of Oprah for the Senate seat…:

January 23rd, 2009 // comments (0)

Blagojevich’s Bizarre Press Conference

January 12th, 2009 // comments (0)

It’s Official: Burris Gets The Seat

Breaking news all across the board… Burris will fill Obama’s vacant seat:

Roland Burris is expected to take Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat this week, Democratic Senate leaders say.

Did the race card help him wiggle his way into an awkward situation?

January 9th, 2009 // comments (0)

Blagojevich’s INSANE Press Conference

I’d like nothing more than the last 45 minutes of my life back:

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today the Illinois House’s impeachment vote was expected and part of a years-long battle against him.

“It happened kind of fast,” the governor said of the vote. “But again, kind of expected. And part of the process that has been the dynamic in Illinois.”

“From the very moment of my re-election I’ve been engaged in a struggle with the House to get

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January 9th, 2009 // comments (0)

Another Victory For Roland Burris

The Illinois Supreme Court this afternoon denied a writ of mandamus sought by Roland Burris to order Secretary of State Jesse White to affix his signature to Burris’ U.S. Senate paperwork. The court said there is nothing in state law that requires White’s signature on the appointment document.

Roland Burris could be seated any time now…

January 9th, 2009 // comments (0)

Illinois House Impeaches Blagojevich

SPRINGFIELD—In a historic vote, the Illinois House has impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich, directing the Senate to put the state’s 40th chief executive on trial with the goal of removing him from office.

The vote by the House was 114-1 and marks the first time in the state’s 190-year history that a governor has been impeached, despite Illinois’ longstanding reputation for political corruption.

Rep. Milt Patterson (D-Chicago) was the lone vote against impeaching the governor. Patterson, from Chicago’s Southwest Side,

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January 8th, 2009 // comments (0)

Blagojevich To Face Impeachment Vote

The Illinois House committee investigating Gov. Rod Blagojevich released a draft report Thursday saying the panel believes the Democratic governor has abused his power and recommending the full chamber vote on impeachment.

The full House could vote on impeachment as soon as tomorrow…

January 7th, 2009 // comments (0)

Fitzgerald Blunder Reveals Names

A big mistake in the Blagojevich case:

JANUARY 7–In a remarkable screw-up, a Department of Justice official today accidentally distributed to the media a document containing the names of nearly 20 confidential witnesses interviewed during a federal probe targeting the operators of a fraudulent investment scheme. In announcing felony charges against two men for their roles in an alleged $15 million Ponziesque swindle, the spokesman for Chicago U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (he of Rod Blagojevich- and Scooter Libby-prosecuting fame) e-mailed

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