House Impeaches Gov. Blagojevich
What is it with these Democrats lately. Bill Richardson and now Rod Blagojevich. Who's next Obama. 
House Impeaches Gov. Blagojevich
(CBS/AP) In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
It's the first time in the state's history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor, notes CBS station WBBM.
The action sets the stage for a state Senate trial on whether Blagojevich should be thrown out of office for corruption and abuse of power. It is unclear when those proceedings will actually get underway.
House members found evidence that the two-term Democrat had abused his power, including improperly spending tax money, adopting programs without legislative approval and violating state hiring laws.
He has denied wrongdoing.
Blagojevich was out jogging in his Chicago neighborhood when the vote came down. He refused to answer any specific questions about the vote, but upon returning from his jog, he likened his situation to long-distance running.
"Let me simply say I feel like the old Alan Sillitoe short story, 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner.' ... And that's what this is by the way, a long-distance run," he said.
He then promised to say more at an afternoon news conference.
Before the vote, lawmakers lined up to denounce the governor and expressed anger and embarrassment over his alleged behavior, that includes a criminal complaint that he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
"Due to his conduct, the governor has failed to uphold the oath of office," said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, chair of the House panel that held impeachment hearings over the past several weeks. "He is no longer capable of defending our liberties. He should be impeached."
Rep. Jack Franks, D, said the "plague" brought upon the state by Blagojevich will be lifted. "Our duty is to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that has become our government," he said.
During the House's 90-minute debate on impeachment, no one spoke up to defend the governor. But Rep. Milton Patterson, a Chicago Democrat, made the sole vote against impeaching Blagojevich.
Patterson said he read the impeachment committee's report and wasn't comfortable voting against the governor. "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of the evidence," he said.
"I went by my own gut feeling, it's as simple as that," he said. "I read the report. If the government is going to indict him, let them go ahead and do that. That's their job and I'm doing my job."
Rep. Elga Jefferies, another Chicago Democrat, voted "present."
The governor was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges.
Blagojevich has resisted calls to resign. Since he has not, Currie said he has "forfeited his right to hold office."
Lawmakers hope the proceedings will help improve the state's reputation.
"My Illinois is not the Illinois of George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Our Illinois is the Illinois of Abraham Lincoln and Paul Simon and Barack Obama," Rep. John A. Fritchey said.
On Thursday, the Illinois House investigation committee voted unanimously, 21-0, that Blagojevich be impeached for abuse of power.
The report recounted the federal charges but includes other allegations as well - that Blagojevich expanded a health care program without proper authority, that he circumvented hiring laws to give jobs to political allies, that he spent millions of dollars on foreign flu vaccine that he knew wasn't needed and couldn't be brought into the country.
"The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own," the committee's report said. "It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so."
Blagojevich was allowed to have lawyers present at the hearing. They could question witnesses to clarify points but not conduct full cross-examinations. The defense wanted to subpoena members of Obama's transition team, but that wasn't allowed because of worries it would interfere with the federal investigation of Blagojevich.
The panel did question Roland Burris about what led up to the governor's decision to appoint Burris to the U.S. Senate.
Burris said he did not read the criminal complaint against Blagojevich, relying only on media reports, and he did not have any conversation with the governor about the legal problems.
WBBM correspondent Joanie Lum reports the governor spent Thursday in his downtown office and did not watch the hearing.
Blagojevich has denied the criminal charges. He issued a statement saying that the House panel's actions were a foregone conclusion and that the whole process was flawed, biased and denied him due process.
But he didn't testify before the House impeachment committee and hasn't offered an explanation for the federal charges.
"His silence in this great matter is deafening," said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat.
"It's a waste of time asking the question, they're going to impeach him," said attorney Ed Genson. "They've always wanted to impeach him, and that's been the problem that I've had with regard to this procedure from the beginning."
During today's debate, Blagojevich left his home in Chicago to go for a run. He told waiting reporters: "I will see you at 2." A spokesman for the governor said he planned to issue a statement at that time.
(CBS/AP) In a dramatic display of anger and solidarity over a political scandal that has made Illinois a national laughingstock, lawmakers on Friday voted 114-1 to impeach disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
It's the first time in the state's history that the Illinois House has voted to impeach its governor, notes CBS station WBBM.
The action sets the stage for a state Senate trial on whether Blagojevich should be thrown out of office for corruption and abuse of power. It is unclear when those proceedings will actually get underway.
House members found evidence that the two-term Democrat had abused his power, including improperly spending tax money, adopting programs without legislative approval and violating state hiring laws.
He has denied wrongdoing.
Blagojevich was out jogging in his Chicago neighborhood when the vote came down. He refused to answer any specific questions about the vote, but upon returning from his jog, he likened his situation to long-distance running.
"Let me simply say I feel like the old Alan Sillitoe short story, 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner.' ... And that's what this is by the way, a long-distance run," he said.
He then promised to say more at an afternoon news conference.
Before the vote, lawmakers lined up to denounce the governor and expressed anger and embarrassment over his alleged behavior, that includes a criminal complaint that he attempted to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
"Due to his conduct, the governor has failed to uphold the oath of office," said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, chair of the House panel that held impeachment hearings over the past several weeks. "He is no longer capable of defending our liberties. He should be impeached."
Rep. Jack Franks, D, said the "plague" brought upon the state by Blagojevich will be lifted. "Our duty is to clean up the mess and stop the freak show that has become our government," he said.
During the House's 90-minute debate on impeachment, no one spoke up to defend the governor. But Rep. Milton Patterson, a Chicago Democrat, made the sole vote against impeaching Blagojevich.
Patterson said he read the impeachment committee's report and wasn't comfortable voting against the governor. "I have no firsthand knowledge of any of the evidence," he said.
"I went by my own gut feeling, it's as simple as that," he said. "I read the report. If the government is going to indict him, let them go ahead and do that. That's their job and I'm doing my job."
Rep. Elga Jefferies, another Chicago Democrat, voted "present."
The governor was arrested Dec. 9 on federal corruption charges.
Blagojevich has resisted calls to resign. Since he has not, Currie said he has "forfeited his right to hold office."
Lawmakers hope the proceedings will help improve the state's reputation.
"My Illinois is not the Illinois of George Ryan and Rod Blagojevich. Our Illinois is the Illinois of Abraham Lincoln and Paul Simon and Barack Obama," Rep. John A. Fritchey said.
On Thursday, the Illinois House investigation committee voted unanimously, 21-0, that Blagojevich be impeached for abuse of power.
The report recounted the federal charges but includes other allegations as well - that Blagojevich expanded a health care program without proper authority, that he circumvented hiring laws to give jobs to political allies, that he spent millions of dollars on foreign flu vaccine that he knew wasn't needed and couldn't be brought into the country.
"The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own," the committee's report said. "It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so."
Blagojevich was allowed to have lawyers present at the hearing. They could question witnesses to clarify points but not conduct full cross-examinations. The defense wanted to subpoena members of Obama's transition team, but that wasn't allowed because of worries it would interfere with the federal investigation of Blagojevich.
The panel did question Roland Burris about what led up to the governor's decision to appoint Burris to the U.S. Senate.
Burris said he did not read the criminal complaint against Blagojevich, relying only on media reports, and he did not have any conversation with the governor about the legal problems.
WBBM correspondent Joanie Lum reports the governor spent Thursday in his downtown office and did not watch the hearing.
Blagojevich has denied the criminal charges. He issued a statement saying that the House panel's actions were a foregone conclusion and that the whole process was flawed, biased and denied him due process.
But he didn't testify before the House impeachment committee and hasn't offered an explanation for the federal charges.
"His silence in this great matter is deafening," said House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a Chicago Democrat.
"It's a waste of time asking the question, they're going to impeach him," said attorney Ed Genson. "They've always wanted to impeach him, and that's been the problem that I've had with regard to this procedure from the beginning."
During today's debate, Blagojevich left his home in Chicago to go for a run. He told waiting reporters: "I will see you at 2." A spokesman for the governor said he planned to issue a statement at that time.