Blagojevich ousted in unanimous 59-0 Senate vote

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Illinois State Senate voted to impeach Milorod R. Blagojevich. With a 59-0 vote, Blagojevich became the first governor in over twenty-years to be removed from office by impeachment. State Senator Dan Reitz said, "We have not made any progress on any subject in a year or two. It was time." The Senate also voted in equal unanimity to bar Blagojevich from ever again holding public office in the State of Illinois. State Representative Dave Luechtefeld said, "It was really long past due. We could not get on with our government there." Boycotting the first three days of trial, calling it "unfair", "biased", and a "kangaroo court," Blagovich was not present for most of the Senate trial. Instead, he made appearance on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Larry King Show, and D.L. Hughley Breaks the News, in an apparent attempt to bolster public opinion in his favor. However, he was resigned to his fate, saying that he expected to be out of office by Friday.

In the end, he showed up to the trial on Thursday to give a 47-minute speech proclaiming his innocence in the matter. At one point, Blagojevich said, "You know what we have to do to go out and run elections. There was no criminal activity on those four tapes... Take those four tapes as they are and you will, I believe, in fairness, recognize and acknowledge those are conversations relating to the things all of us in politics do in order to run campaigns and try to win elections." In the speech, which was defiant and humble all in the same breath, he spoke against the charges against him, asking that he be allowed to present evidence in his defense and call witnesses on his behalf. "How can you throw a governor out of office who is clamoring and begging and pleading with you to give him a chance to bring witnesses in, to prove his innocence, to do more than just ask for a presumption of innocence- don't give me that- let me make my case, let me bring my witnesses in, let me show you that I am innocent and I didn't do anything wrong," said Blagojevich. He spoke of his rise through the political system and his accomplishments as Governor. He spoke of his family and their coming to America as well as his struggling family in the current era. The speech ended with Blagojevich speaking of the precedents that would be made with an impeachment and his desire to clear his name. "Think about all the good things we've been able to do for the people. Give me a chance to stay here so we can roll up our sleeves and continue to do good things for the people. Thank you very much," said Blagojevich. He then proceeded to leave the floor, not staying to hear the verdict.

Blagojevich has been succeeded by Lt. Governor Patrick Quinn. The 60-year old Democrat looks like he is ready to tackle the arduous task of fixing our failing state. He has said that he is going to tackle the financial problems in our state as well as "fumigate" the corruption out of Illinois politics. "He is a good person. I really think he will sit down and try to reach a concession on both sides of the fence. Gov. Quinn is a fiscally responsible person," Sen. Reitz said. "It is going to take a lot of work and cooperation." With a $2-4 billion dollar deficit, and many bills to address, the state is in hard economic times. Rep. Luechtefeld said, "We have huge financial problems. One of the worst in the country. We have to give Gov. Quinn a chance to succeed." Gov. Quinn has been in the political arena since 1986 and has been seen as "an outsider." He is said to be for the little guy and has been known to battle special interests throughout his career.