Illinois Senate convicts Blagojevich

[DesertPirate]

From Fox news:

Illinois senators stripped Rod Blagojevich of power Thursday in the final act of a political drama filled with twists and turns that will likely end Blagojevich's political career and hand the reins of state government over to Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.

Senators voted unanimously to convict Blagojevich, 59-0. The outcome was never in doubt. In fact, Quinn went to the state Capitol earlier in the day in preparation of being sworn in immediately after the vote.

Rest of the article:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/29/pub-illinois-senate-kicks-blagojevich-office/

 

[R. Richard]

From the article:
"Senators voted unanimously to convict Blagojevich and bar him from holding political office in the state again. Shortly after the vote, Quinn was sworn in as Illinois' new governor."

Not only did they remove him, he can never again hold political office in the state of Illinois.

 

[jomar]

I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you, that his histrionics didn't work. Foul!

 

[R. Richard]

I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you, that his histrionics didn't work. Foul!

Don't worry, he'll have another chance in court when the feds try him.

 

[DesertPirate]

Based on his "perfomance" over the last month or so I wonder how he ever got elected? What a clown!

 

[jomar]

Don't worry, he'll have another chance in court when the feds try him.

That's a relief!

 

[DesertPirate]

That's a relief!

Or another comedy act

 

[R. Richard]

People of Illinois happy to see Blagojevich go

People across Illinois who watched former Gov. Rod Blagojevich get the boot Thursday said they hoped removal of the scandal-plagued governor helps the state begin rebuilding its image after weeks of ridicule.

"I figured it was coming," said Darlene Lewis, an investment securities representative in Chicago, after the state Senate's 59-0 vote. "He needs to be impeached. He's not above the law."

From Chicago's famous Billy Goat Tavern to southern Illinois farm country, many residents said they were weary after weeks of watching the state become a laughingstock.

"I'm in the camp that says, 'Finally.' I'm glad we're moving forward," said Richard Borgsmiller from his farm near Murphysboro.

By Thursday, Borgsmiller had run out of patience with Blagojevich, believing the governor peddled influence, abused his power and showed "a little bit of arrogance" by living in Chicago instead of the governor's mansion in Springfield.

"From the get-go, that was something that bothered me," he said.

At the Billy Goat, Gene Ciepierski considered Blagojevich's impeachment "very embarrassing."

"I think it's a shame that with our city and Illinois, everybody thinks we're all corrupt," Ciepierski said after watching the announcement of Blagojevich's fate, which played on all the bar's televisions. "To think he would do something like that, it hurts more than anything."

Some of Blagojevich's former political foes rejoiced — cautiously.

"Nobody is happier to see Rod go than I am, but this is not time to celebrate," said Edwin Eisendrath, a former Chicago alderman who lost to Blagojevich in the 2006 Democratic primary. "We have serious and sobering work to do before we firmly close this sorry chapter in our state's history."

Earlier Thursday, Blagojevich's 47-minute speech to the state Senate played big in Chicago's Loop, where lunch-goers paused in front of a billboard-sized TV screen facing Daley Plaza.

Brian David, a student at the University of Illinois-Chicago, found the Democrat's bid to save his job unconvincing.

"I just don't think I believe him at all," David said.

Chicago attorney Thomas Westgard called Blagojevich's last stand in Springfield "hilarious and saddening. It's one of those laugh or cry things."

"It's so shocking you don't know how to react," Westgard said. "He needs to go. They're correct to throw him out."

At JV's Downtown Bar and Grill in Waterloo, a community of less than 9,000 people southeast of St. Louis, off-duty bartender Patrick Meegan nursed a bottle of Bud Light after watching Blagojevich get removed.

Meegan's only surprise: That the vote was unanimous, "a clean sweep."

"I thought there might be a couple of dissenters," said Meegan, who voted for Blagojevich in 2002 but sided with his opponent four years later.

"He made his plea in front of the Senate, and it didn't work," Meegan said. "I'm glad this is done. Let's start all over. We're the laughingstock of the country."

 

[glynndah]

And on the bright side, Quinn is easier to spell, too.

 

[TE999]

State politics at it's worst...and best. Good on Illinois.

Now if we could just clean up DC....

 

[DeeZire]

Based on his "perfomance" over the last month or so I wonder how he ever got elected? What a clown!

Exactly my sentiments four years ago, except the term was "re-elected", and it was for a national office, not a state office.

Perhaps Blagojevich will defect from the libs and get a job at Fox News, where he would fit in perfectly - another airhead with no credibility and a big mouth.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Blag just goes to show that you don't have to be a conservative to be a crooked fool.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

He was elected and re-elected by the ghost vote in northern Illinois.

 

[DesertPirate]

And on the bright side, Quinn is easier to spell, too.

Also something I can pronounce

was that Bagobitch?

 

[Guest]

Blag just goes to show that you don't have to be a conservative to be a crooked fool.

BWAH HA HAAAAA!

But it helps, though.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Tenk yew!

 

[DesertPirate]

Out of 4 Governors jailed in Illinois 3 were Dems
Soon to be 4?

You were saying?