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Impeachment hearings live-blog
Monday, Dec 22, 2008 * By the way, if you were wondering about Genson’s question to Ed Bedore: “Mr. Bedore you are familiar with the Cacciatore Company, are you not?” then you should probably take a look at these links…
There’s lots more. Just use The Google. One can’t help but wonder if the committee really wants to go down that road. * 3:19 pm - Adjourned until Monday. * 3:18 pm - Rep. Mendoza asked that Genson bring his client to the hearing next week. That’ll happen. * 3:15 pm - Rep. Currie: We have not yet heard back from the US Attorney’s office. * 3:14 pm - Rep. Currie will also “re-request” information that was promised and never delivered by DHFS. * 3:10 pm - Rep. Black is asking that DHFS chief of staff Tami Hoffman be subpoenaed. Currie: She’d like a chance to see first what is missing in the Department’s response before deciding on a course of action. * 3:09 pm - Genson is asking for a one-week adjournment in order to round up his witnesses. Currie: We’ll want to look at your list to ascertain their relevance. Genson: I can give you the list tomorrow morning. Currie: How long will your presentation take? Genson: Approximately one day. * 2:56 pm - Rep. Lang is now discussing DHFS’ response to the committee’s request for follow-up information. Lang said the committee hasn’t had a chance to review all the documentation submitted by DHFS, but that it doesn’t appear the Department has fully complied. Lang: It appears that the Department is not interested in providing full information. Lang also wondered if someone “above them” ordered the DHFS officials not to appear at today’s hearing. Their absence today, Lang said, is “appalling.” Rep. Lang said the committee’s letter to the US Attorney has made some horse racing industry lobbyists uncomfortable because their names were included in the letter. “We are casting no aspersions against anybody who was in that section of the letter…. The committee is not after you.” Rep. Fritchey: “I’ve known Barry Maram to be a good and honorable man.” He added: “Any aspersions as to Maram’s character… I don’t think are warranted.” Maram has a family member on the West Coast who is “very ill.” * 2:52 pm - The House impeachment committee has posted a letter from DHFS Director Barry Maram notifying the committee that he and his chief of staff will not be available to testify for the rest of the calendar year, due to “previous committments and out of state travel.” The letter also claims that the Department has submitted “more than 70 pages of follow-up documentation as requested by Committee members.” * 2:29 pm - Rep. Lang just made a suggestion which seemed to be accepted by the chair. Lang wants committee investigators to look into the propriety of no-bid contracts that were paired with campaign contributions. Not sure how they’ll do that unless they use their subpoena powers. But even then, they might risk stepping on USA Fitzgerald’s probe. * 2:10 pm - The committee did a pretty good job this morning of rebutting defense attorney Ed Genson’s claim that the federal wiretap was “illegal” and shouldn’t be used against Gov. Blagojevich in the impeachment process. Former Assistant US Attorney John Scully did a credible job of detailing the process for obtaining these wiretap warrants. The state lease issue was less compelling, however, as explained below. The Illinois Campaign for Political Reform’s Cindi Canary is now testifying, and Genson has already objected to her testimony as irrelevant. Chairperson Currie has ruled that the testimony so far is “background” info and therefore will be allowed. * 1:21 pm - Is ignoring or “going around” the state’s Procurement Policy Board an impeachable offense? Anything can be an impeachable offense, of course, but I ain’t so sure that this is a very big peg to hang it on unless it’s used as part of an overall pattern of malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance. But, as a stand-alone complaint it doesn’t appear to rise to a level of “importance.” [rewritten at the suggestion of a commenter] * 1:11 pm - Some numbers to chew on…
* 12:13 pm - The committee is now hearing testimony about how wiretap authorizations are obtained from a former DoJ attorney. This appears to be in response to Genson’s claims that the wiretap was illegal and that the committee cannot use this evidence. * 12:09 pm - Majority Leader Currie said the committee will have follow-up questions to the Health and Family Services today. She added that the committee has yet to hear back from US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, but hopes to hear something today. Ed Genson said he will present his side tomorrow to the committee and will make a statement to the committee today. But he also said he’d prefer that everything be wrapped up today. * 12:06 pm - The hour of noon having arrived, the committee is now convening. * The festivites are scheduled to begin at noon. Listen or watch here. Or check CNN’s feed here. Please, use this thread only for today’s committee-related activities. Thanks.
- Posted by Rich Miller
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- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 11:58 am:
I hope Hynes paid the heating bill down there.
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:09 pm:
CNN has it live. Go to cnn.com to get it. Clear Video and Audio. Lets hope Gensen forgets his mic is on again!
- Say WHAT? - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:28 pm:
Gensen interupted Scully, asking the committe for evidence he said he had never been given. Staff HAD given it to him today per Madam Chairman. Gensen looked and saw he had it.
Gensen was sitting in his chair doing nothing at 11:48. If you are representing a client, shouldn’t you read what is given to you? Scary for the Gov. Was Gensen a c student too?
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:28 pm:
Is anyone from Health and Family Services present; or expected to testify today; or will the committee’s additional questions be read into the record or transmitted in written form for follow up?
- Save Us - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:41 pm:
It seems there are quite a few steps involved in obtaining wire taps. If Genson is to make us believe Blago’s wire taps were illegally obtained, he will have to prove there are more corrupt individuals at DOJ than there are in SOI government. Good luck with that.
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:44 pm:
Sam Adam in appearance and demeanor reminds me of a young Ralph Kramden.
“Don’t steam me, Barbara. Don’t steam me!”
- Rob_N - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 12:47 pm:
Methinks the House PTBs don’t want the special investigation wrapped up til about 10 seconds after the swearing-in of the new Senate leadership in a few weeks…
Maybe only 5 seconds afterward.
–
Genson should give them his statement on Thursday. The echo will have a nice effect.
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:05 pm:
Unintended funny moment. Chair was asking a question of Gensen. He was trying to answer, she couldn’t hear him and asked again if he was ready. He tried to answer, she couldn’t hear him again. She then askes if Mr. Gensen is now ready.
He tries to answer again, then his mic switches back on. Gensen makes a passing reference to Sam Adams to the effect of “He keeps shutting off the mic, just in case we are talking”
- Concerned Observer - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:30 pm:
Rich, as you have pointed out — everything is an impeachable offense. “He could be impeached for crossing the street WITH the light”, I believe you wrote.
But of course, in this case we don’t only have one complaint…there are several, and you’re right, those have more teeth.
- Anonymous Coward - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:31 pm:
Is coveritlive live blogging this as well?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:33 pm:
===Rich, as you have pointed out — everything is an impeachable offense.===
That is true, of course. I’ll amend the post.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:36 pm:
coveritlive is a tool, not a human.
- carbon deforestation - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:37 pm:
My feed cut out. What did Bedore say that made Genson object?
- Anonymous Coward - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:38 pm:
Touché. Looks like I’m the tool.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:43 pm:
How come no one asks Bedore who appointed him? Maybe Genson will.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:51 pm:
For a budgeteer extraordinaire like Bedore to be there flaying the Governor alive is a true sign that the boys were truly fed up with Blago.
- walter sobchak - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:52 pm:
A young Ralph Kramden nails it!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:52 pm:
Kill.Me.Now.
Oy. I’m about to fall asleep.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:56 pm:
Yeah Phinnie,
Because Bedore is beyond reproach and has never been political and has no personal agenda, right?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 1:59 pm:
Bill, that’s the point-Bedore is about as political as you get and not the type to be throwing stones-if you get my drift.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
Uh oh
- John Bambenek - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:05 pm:
While they could simplÝ impeach Blago for being unable to govern, they’ve decided they need “charges”… Okay, its an opinions.
But for someone who was trying to sell a senate seat, shook down a children’s hospital and was selling state jobs, how does it bleeping make sense to focus on FOIA compliance? Sure FamilyCare was bad and blowing off FOIAs is not that happy place, but its kinda like busting a serial rapist who has 10 women chained up in his basement and citing him for building code violations.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:09 pm:
John has a point although he should use allegedly once in a while. Just vote and go home for the holidays. There is no news here.
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:12 pm:
{”Mr. Bedore you are familiar with the Caciatore Company; are you not?”}
I can’t believe I had the video minimized for that question. I almost choked on my lunch with that one, LOL
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:15 pm:
Maybe people donated money because they are concerned citizens who believed that Rod was the best person to lead Illinois in the 21st century.It is not illegal to be a good fundraiser.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:15 pm:
lol
It appears “The Real Bill” is back.
- Anon - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:19 pm:
Technical impeachment question: if the Senate starts its trial before Jan 14, does it have to start from scratch after the new Senate is sworn in?
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:19 pm:
Does the timing of the Special Committee’s recommendation need to coincide with the installment of the new Senate President? I am wondering how the committee’s recommendation is transmitted to the Senate and what timeline the Senate is under to begin a trial if the House votes to impeach. I guess the committee could take its vote anytime, then the House vote (if there is a recommendation for impeachment) could be taken anytime thereafter when the House is in session, either in current GA or the next one.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
It’s highly doubtful that the House will send that over while Emil Jones is Senate Prez
- Concerned Observer - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
I’m no insider, but I thought I read somewhere that the legislative leaders had agreed to immediately accept this body’s work (and a possible Senate trial) as is when the new legislature is seated.
Basically, Ctrl+C from one document, Ctrl+P into the other.
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
Enumerating the contributions is old stuff. The meat is this: do any of these contributions violate state law? If so, which contributions and which law(s)? if not, skip it.
- Canseco - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
Now there’s a clunky analogy.
- the Other Anonymous - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:25 pm:
Bill (for Senate!) writes:
Maybe people donated money because they are concerned citizens who believed that Rod was the best person to lead Illinois in the 21st century.
A large percentage of his contributions from people who are rich enough to give $25K or more
So, Bill, are you suggesting that the Blagojevich administration has been favorable to the rich over the middle class and poor?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:25 pm:
Captain Flume, violating state law is immaterial. What’s needed is \ to show that he’s “dirty” somehow.
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:27 pm:
Hmmmmm; No mention of the Illinois Attorney General as having available resources to pursue some of this information?
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:29 pm:
Well, dirty needs to be documented somehow. If he is receiving contributions legally and doling out favors legally, he is not that dirty. Mr. Genson could have a field day with arguing the point. My point is that enough dirt has been shoveled on him already, the ICPR testimony does not add much to the pile.
- Concerned Observer - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
(I meant Ctrl+V, of course. But it’s still not the greatest analogy)
- Canseco - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:33 pm:
CO,
I was actually disparaging Canary’s gas station/arsonist analogy.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:34 pm:
===Mr. Genson could have a field day with arguing the point.===
He can argue all he wants. This is just one more “fair trial before a hanging.” The end is not in doubt. Which probably explains why I’m so sleepy. lol
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:35 pm:
Hah, Blago had her on the transition team. He certainly had nerve and a good game going. I wonder what finally opened her eyes-was it the first 20 mil?
Too funny
- Concerned Observer - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
Canseco — Gotcha. I unfortunately can’t listen or watch. Y’all are doing a good job keeping me abreast, and for that I thank you.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
I tried to warn her.
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:38 pm:
Rich; or someone lese there, can you inquire as to what Committee Exhibit 11 is; and why that has not been posted?
Thanks,
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:40 pm:
No, Other. I’m sure that the governor did not let contributions influence him at all. He has always fought for all of the people of Illinois.
- Captain Flume - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:42 pm:
“Sleepy?” I feel like I been hypnotized!
- Hoping For Rational Thought - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:46 pm:
Blago Sphere,
#11 was posted earlier but it looks like they re-posted the documents so they appear in order. #11 was HFS’s response to the documents they promised Thursday. Not sure it includes everthing that was promised.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:46 pm:
Lol. It is not exactly a full house today.
- Juice - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
Has Genson even been paying attention to any of these hearings. It was made clear on day one that the Committee has subpoena power. That’s why the Republicans were upset that they were kept in the minority. I’m glad we’re not picking up his tab.
- the Other Anonymous - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:51 pm:
Bill, I wasn’t drawing the conclusion from your remarks that contributions influenced this Governor. (Although, I fully believe that he was influenced by his donors.)
What I was suggesting is that if people rich enough to contribute $25K or more were making the contributions because they believed “Rod was the best person to lead Illinois,” then it’s logical to conclude that his policies tend to favor very rich people, often at the expense of the middle class and poor.
Regardless, I would imagine that anyone who will give me a multi-million dollar state contract in exchange for a $25K contribution is definitely the right person to lead me in the 21st century.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
Policies that are good for the state benefit all people of the state regardless of income level. Your attempt to somehow imply that there is some class warfare going on is a red herring. Do people who can afford the contribute $25k oppose policies that benefit the middle class or poor? That may be the Republican way but it is not reality in the Governor’s administration.
- I knew it before term one - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
I wonder what happened with the allegations about the two $25,000 campaign contributions made by Malek and Massuda to Blagojevich 18 days before their appointments to the hospital board (reported six months prior to Mell saying the same thing). I am surprised this 2004 pay2play has been forgotten.
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:02 pm:
Rep. Lang should request the Committee and Ms. Hoffman be subpoenaed to testify.
- One of the 35 - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:05 pm:
So what are they going to do about DHFS’s no show? So far all they are doing is expressing their “outrage” that they failed to show. What is the penalty? This is how the Blagojevich administration has operated in the past and they are still operating the same way.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:06 pm:
===I am surprised this 2004 pay2play has been forgotten. ===
It hasn’t been forgotten, but it’s also under investigation by USA Fitz.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:07 pm:
There is no penalty. Tammy is on vacation. lol
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:09 pm:
Blago,
Black must have read your post!
- Big Mama T - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:10 pm:
Bill. You may have just used up your weeks worth of “Blago is great” comments. Good thing it is a short week with the Holiday.
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:10 pm:
Sounds like Tammy didn’t provide enough documents. oops.
- Narcoleptic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:11 pm:
The “Genson List”. Wow, who will be on THAT????
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:12 pm:
Mama,
I will admit that it is getting much harder to come up with them lately.
- OneMan - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:13 pm:
I like the fact the Republicans asked Tammy be compelled to appear.
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:13 pm:
I wish that they would call me. I noticed that they don’t swear in the witnesses.
- Big Mama T - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:13 pm:
Thanks for the chuckle Bill, enjoy your holidays.
- Blago Sphere - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:15 pm:
Any word on Exhibit 11 yet? Usually the one’s worth reading are the one’s they do not wish you to see.
- Narcoleptic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:15 pm:
Canary raised her hand in either a swearing sign or a salute to Lang.
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:16 pm:
@Narcoleptic
The ‘Gensen’ list would be interesting. Should make up a huge % of the 8% that think Blago is doing a fine job!
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
adjourned. Bill Black reminded to bring enough “unmentionables”.
- Hoping For Rational Thought - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:28 pm:
I downloaded #11 earlier when it was posted for awhile.
- Tim - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:31 pm:
allinfavorsayayeallopposednaythiscommitteeisadjourned!
- Bill - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:46 pm:
Disgusted,
Its good to see that the morale of state employees is holding up well under all of the strain.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:52 pm:
Rich, Have a great holiday, Your coverage of BLAGOGATE has been incredible, thanks.
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:53 pm:
They’re adjourning until Monday AGAIN?!?!
Aren’t any other Illinois taxpayers annoyed by this? Not that I should be surprised since the first promise from the elected officials was we’d have a special election, then it was a promise of non-stop impeachmentfest with them only taking Christmas and New Year’s Day off, then they give themselves a three day weekend and now they take a week off for Christmas?
WHAT A JOKE!
Of course what’s another week for the state of Illinois to twist in the wind to this state’s failed leaders?
It’s not like anyone is going to hold Emil Jones accountable for gumming up the works and protecting his boy Blago and it’s not like if they tried to hold him accountable he’d care.
It’s not like anyone is going to hold the members of the House accountable for waiting until the governor is arrested before growing the spine to actually impeach our corrupt, incompetent, criminal chief executive and it’s not like if anyone tried to they would care.
It’s not like any citizens are actually going to organize a protest outside the governor’s house or JRT or the Statehouse to actually demand Rod’s immediate resignation and better government in general, although who can blame them since all of us know attempting such an action would accomplish nothing since our state politicians don’t respect our opinions and removing one bad apple from this generally rotten batch seems to make little difference as the progression from George Ryan to Blago has shown.
Here’s hoping Genson has a very holly jolly Christmas at the Executive Mansion and stays nice and toasty thanks to that $720,000 taxpayer-funded heated driveway.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:53 pm:
Disgusted, you’re banned. Go away.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:57 pm:
hisgirlfriday, you do realize, don’t you, that they can’t really send this over to the Senate for trial until Emil Jones is safely retired?
Come January 14th you can start complaining that there’s a big holdup. I figure the House will wrap things up by the 15th or so.
- Hoping For Rational Thought - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:57 pm:
Rich,
Swift justice…maybe you should be running the Committee?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 3:59 pm:
Many thanks to Bill for pointing out “Disgusted’s” disgusting comment.
Really, what a moron to try to get away with something like that here. Good riddance to idiotic trash.
Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas to all!!!
lol
- Chicago Law Student - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 4:01 pm:
Rich - I want to thank you for your excellent coverage the past few weeks - you have successfully gotten me through finals this semester! But I blame you if I end up with a “C” in Constitutional Law. Have a great Holiday Break - you deserve it!
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
Yes, Rich. I understand that the House can’t send over the articles of impeachment until Emil is retired. That’s why I called him out for gumming up the works in my post. ;)
But I really don’t buy into the idea that Emil being an obstructionist is a legitimate excuse for the House throwing up their hands and not doing anything impeachment-wise until he’s out of there because Emil wouldn’t allow it to go ahead in the Senate. Public pressure and shaming Emil got the contractor contribution ban through and it might have worked for impeachment as well. But even if it hadn’t worked I’d rather the House acted and forced Emil to show his hand rather than just drag their feet to accomodate him and let him set this state’s timetable for getting rid of Blagojevich.
That’s just my opinion.
- fedup dem - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 4:23 pm:
Of course, by delaying submitting an impeachment resolution to the Senate until the new Emil-free General Assembly convenes on January 14, the House will force the Senate to organize on that day at a session with the Governor serving as its presiding officer, as called for under provisions of the Illinois Constitution - Article IV, Section 6 (b).
Even if Blago is for once on his best behavior and merely pretends for an hour or so as if nothing is amiss in his world or in state government, the sight of having him wield that gavel is going to look bad… really bad. It will make the Senators look bad, which cannot help heal the rift between the two chambers.
- Rob_N - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 4:27 pm:
3:18 pm - Rep. Mendoza asked that Genson bring his client to the hearing next week.
…perhaps Genson’s client will need to be reminded of his virility, it being of mythologic proportions and all…
- How Ironic - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 4:38 pm:
How do I always miss a banning by just a few minutes. Darn it!
- ChampaignDweller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 5:01 pm:
Rich, if the House did send this over while Emil Jones was still president of the Senate, do you really think he would reject, hold it in committee, or whatever it takes to make sure no vote is taken, while the entire country is looking on and Illinois becomes a bigger joke every day this drags on?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 5:04 pm:
ChampaignDweller, you new around here? lol
- thurber - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 7:32 pm:
Sigh. Our fate is in the hands of Jay Leno, David Letterman and the cast of SNL. To Quote Martin Luther, “The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture , is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn.”
Loss of support of the Legislature, loss of support of the public doesn’t phase Blag….but because of his pride and narcissism ridicule is the silver bullet.
Jay Leno……..please save us!!!!!!!
- wordslinger - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 7:44 pm:
–Policies that are good for the state benefit all people of the state regardless of income level. Your attempt to somehow imply that there is some class warfare going on is a red herring. Do people who can afford the contribute $25k oppose policies that benefit the middle class or poor? That may be the Republican way but it is not reality in the Governor’s administration.–
Bill, that’s old school. You seem to be handling the cognitive dissonance better.
- TimbukTuTu - Monday, Dec 22, 08 @ 11:57 pm:
This won’t go on for very long - I would guess about two months.
Bill Clinton’s impeachment hearings began 19 November 1998 with Ken Starr as the main witness. THIRTY ONE days later, on 19 December, the House approved two articles of impeachment. Senate proceedings began on 14 January 1999. Just THIRTY days later, on 12 February, the Senate voted to acquit Clinton.
But with Clinton there was no real hurry to get him out of office. The Republicans KNEW going into it they didn’t have enough votes to convict so they just wanted to stretch out the proceedings, try to milk it for what they could politically and try to effectively cripple the rest of Clinton’s presidency.
Here the Democrats know they have the votes (the speaker wouldn’t have started it otherwise and the new senate president will keep his word to the speaker) and as far as they’re concerned the sooner this governor is O U T out, the better! They’ll only drag out the process long enough to make it look ok, i.e., minimum due process.
I expect the Illinois house will take about a month and then the Illinois Senate one more month, just like when the Republicans played out their charade with Clinton. Of course Clinton maintained a 70% popularity rating, had the house Democrats standing behind him immediately after he was impeached and didn’t lose a single Democratic senator. Rod has a 7% popularity rating and NO friends in either party in either house of the General Assembly. He has very little chance that any court will overturn his impeachment and conviction on appeal. In Federal impeachment trials there is no appeal.
- Larry Mullholland - Tuesday, Dec 23, 08 @ 11:34 am:
Okay Just read the news about Fiztgerald and his Hands off my criminal investigation approach. I have great appreciation for investigations and building a case. HOWEVER, times up Fizty, we have been WAITING for you for four years and yet all we have is an arrest with NO indictment and national drama. You could have moved the case and effected the last election to avoid the national shame we have now. Instead we wait while more crimes are being committed and government and the people of the STATE of Illinois suffer. Enough. Illinois lost $15 million as a result of the cost to borrow last week. The longer this drags on the more frustrated I become with Fitzgerald. Perhaps I am wrong, but this is bigger than one Criminal Governor. FITZ-Dont retard the impeachment process. Get rid of BLAGO so we can start to heal…..sheesh!