Illinois senate votes to oust Governor Blagojevich

**Admiral Piett** · January 29, 2009, 05:30 PM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090129/...ich_conviction

CHICAGO (Reuters) – The Illinois state senate on Thursday convicted Governor Rod Blagojevich of abuse of power, removing him from office amid charges that he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.

More than two-thirds of the 59 senators, acting as a jury following the two-term Democrat's impeachment on January 9, voted to find him guilty, effectively ousting him from office.

The vote was televised live from the state capitol building in Springfield, Illinois. Blagojevich is the first governor in Illinois history to be impeached and removed from office.

(Reporting by Andrew Stern and Michael Conlon, Editing by Peter Bohan)

**JP226** · January 29, 2009, 05:33 PM

Has he committed a crime? He didn't actually sell the seat as far as we know, he talked about it. Maybe conspiracy elements come into to play but I don't know if he's actually liable. Then again, and luckily, I'm not a lawyer.

**Hounf of Culan** · January 29, 2009, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by JP226

Has he committed a crime? He didn't actually sell the seat as far as we know, he talked about it. Maybe conspiracy elements come into to play but I don't know if he's actually liable. Then again, and luckily, I'm not a lawyer.

C'mon man, we are talking about Illinois politicians here.

**Tiberius Tosi** · January 29, 2009, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by JP226

Has he committed a crime? He didn't actually sell the seat as far as we know, he talked about it. Maybe conspiracy elements come into to play but I don't know if he's actually liable. Then again, and luckily, I'm not a lawyer.

He doesn't have to. The Illinois State Constitution basically allows the Congress to impeach a governor for being unethical or ineffective.

He had only 1 vote against impeaching him (and it was from a sister in law) and every single member of the Senate voted to oust him.

**~~spiderman101~~** · January 29, 2009, 05:37 PM

good,

serves him right. All those corrupt politicians, give em all life in jail.

**Admiral Piett** · January 29, 2009, 05:59 PM

A person can be kicked out of office for whatever reason. They don't have to be guilty of a crime.

**OccamR** · January 29, 2009, 07:42 PM

Wouldn't it be awesome if he stayed in power? I would be laughing in disbelief.

Sad thing is, he's gonna be rolling in money after his media blitz for his new book. Hopefully that's before his criminal court case so he'll have to pay some of that.

**fatsheep** · January 29, 2009, 09:03 PM

Did anyone watch the speech he made to the Illinois senate? He may have been corrupt and he may have been in an indefensible position but he sure is a pretty good public speaker. He spoke without notes pretty articulately.

The one major error he made was implying that pay-to-play is something all politicians do. That statement made sure every one of the senators voted to impeach him to separate themselves from this guy.

**bushbush** · January 29, 2009, 09:36 PM

i will miss him for all the comedy materials he provided for the world.

**CtrlAltDe1337** · January 29, 2009, 09:38 PM

About time.

**touchmaster** · January 29, 2009, 09:39 PM

I don't honestly care, I'm so sick of hearing about this dude.

**~~Scar Face~~** · January 29, 2009, 09:39 PM

Good. The guy was a douche.

**~~Barack Hussein Obama~~** · January 30, 2009, 01:16 AM

I want to kick him in the balls. Just saying.

**MathiasOfAthens** · January 30, 2009, 08:12 AM

It was a conspiracy. They were all out to get him. 59-0 My gods that

ed up.
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**Mikelus Trento** · January 30, 2009, 08:31 AM

What I would like to know is how such a whiny brat got elected in the first place?

**Dunecat** · January 30, 2009, 09:06 PM

Good thing hasn't been charged with any crimes. Otherwise we could suspect this [impeachment result] was politically motivated, since he had so little political goodwill and was sub-par governor.

Anyone who assumes this will set a precedent is naive. Kickbacks are pervasive. Trust me I would know, I live in Cleveland.

Also, hang him, chop off hands, etc. Or should I just go with "imprison him for life" because it makes me feel like less of an animal for requesting cruel and unusual punishment.

**Hunter Makoy** · January 30, 2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Dunecat

Good thing hasn't been charged with any crimes.

He was indicted by the federal government a couple of months ago. they have a huge case against him. even the first part of the indictment that came out was like 80 pages long.

**Farnan** · January 30, 2009, 03:27 PM

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/...n4764017.shtml

Seems that arrogance and ego isn't enough to save yourself...

Nor is comparing yourself to Nelson Mandela, Ghandi and MLK.