CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Friday that he is not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing and said he will not resign.
"I have done nothing wrong," he said at a news conference.
Watch: 'I will fight,' says Blagojevich
"I am dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am," he said. "I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum."
He added, "I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it is the truth."
He took no questions from reporters.
From CNN Politics
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I remember that finger (see photo). Isn't that the same finger Bill used 10 years ago today when he said those infamous words that he later retracted; "I did not have sex with that woman Monica Lewinski".
That the governor is shouting from the rooftops saying he's done nothing wrong is not surprising, and neither is his attitude. After all, he's eight years worth of the same example. 'Nuff said.
If only one person in the entire world thought he was anything but extremely guilty he might have a chance.
Are you kidding?? That speech should have been made from prison with his hair in pony tails and lipstick. What a idiot.
The people of Illinois need to impeach this guy as soon as possible. Take it from a Detroiter who had to endure months of Kwame Kilpatrick spewing the same propaganda. He's in jail now and Detoit wasted time on him that needed to be spent on our failing economy. LEARN from our mistakes and get rid of this guy!
I just want to know whats up with dude's hair? I don't know if I should shoot it or burie it alive.
They have him saying it on his phone. Is he seriously gunna go down this road?
Will someone stick a fork in this putz...HE IS DONE! And for some reason he doesnt even know it. Everytime I go to the bathroom and wipe, I think of that Gov.
How bad has our political system become? It is now the joke of the entire free world. Our founding fathers must be rolling in their graves!!!
He thinks he's calling Fitzgerald bluff. I believe Fitzgerald and others were hoping he'd resign by showing the smoking gun of the sound bit and Blagojevich thinks he's calling their bluff. They've been gathering evidence against him for years and Fitzgerald never pulls the trigger unless he in the high 90% sure he can get a conviction. Keep in mind Blagojevich hasn't been charge and may not know the full extent of the case against him. I believe when the indictment finally comes down. He'll be singing a different tune.
"Matt December 19th, 2008 3:54 pm ET
If Blagojevich did indeed try to sell the seat and meddle with the Cubs deal, then he should resign but I am still trying to figure out what criminal action he has actually committed. I believe Governor Palin up in Alaska was found to try to get someone fired and actually did get them fired but she has not been arrested."
Wow, you are a tool, the reason why the person in question got fired becasue he kept going over people's heads with authority he didn't have. Secondly, for not firing Govenor Palin's ex brother in law who tasered his own child, and drove drunk in a squad car.
People like you are another reason why this country is filled with misinformed idiots.
There is a big difference between "I have done nothing wrong" and "The evidence against me was illegally obtained". If he is found innocent in a court of law due to illegal wiretaps, it still does not mean he hasn't done anything wrong.
Fitzgerald sprung the trap BEFORE the mouse took the bait – in order to warn and protect the Obama team from getting in any deeper.
HE is the one who needs to be investigated!
FITZGERALD IS NO HERO!
He's guilty of being an idiot, but not so sure he committed any crime. He's free under the 1st amendment to say any stupid thing he wants in a private phone call. He's also free to try to get his wife a job oand to line up a job for himself after he's done being governor.
Unless he specifically offered someone the senate seat for payola, there may be no crime.
They better impeach the SOB!!
@ Suzi, who said "He certainly is innocent of criminal charges until proven guilty in a court of law, but the recorded statements are pretty clear — and his statements show intent and desire to commit crimes."
That's only half of it (mens rea). It has to be coupled with the acts (actus reus). Unfortunately, the criminal complaint is somewhat thin on the latter and Fitzgerald's statements that they had to act to prevent him from doing things suggests they may have actually done just that...prevented him from culminating his plotting with any crimes. Even if he's not convicted though, he clearly needs to be impeached and/or resign.
Gov. Blago is not the first Politician in chicago or anywhere that decide to profit out of a situation. If we indict every politician for their wrongdoing no one will be left to run the country.
What a sad story this is. How could the people of Illinois have elected someone like this. Are most of them apathetic? And, as far as him being innocent, he may well be in the eyes of the law because he did not actually sell the senate seat, but I think we all know that intent to do a crime is a punishable offense.
Kevin said: "He's innocent until proven guilty by a court of law."
no, he is innocent if there is no proof of guilt, and guess what, those tapes are the proof of his guilt. there is no circumstance or context it would be remotely OK to say what he said. whether law was broken to acquire those tapes is completely irrelevant.
so the only thing left for the court of law to do really is slap him with 20 years, hopefully more.
he is toast,his guilt is proven, so now the investigation really needs to focus on his cabinet to see if by any chance there are someone not guilty beyond reasonable doubt there.
He's taken a page out of the Clemens/Palmeiro book of defeating accusations: indignity and ambivalence.
Kevin said: "He's innocent until proven guilty by a court of law."
no, he is innocent if there is no proof of guilt, and guess what, those tapes are the proof of his guilt. there is no circumstance or context it would be remotely OK to say what he said. whether law was broken to acquire those tapes is completely irrelevant.
so the only thing left for the court of law to do really is slap him with 20 years, hopefully more.
Fitzgerald sprung the trap BEFORE the mouse took the bait – in order to warn and protect the Obama team from getting in any deeper.
HE is dishonest and corrupt. HE is the one who needs to be investigated!
FITZGERALD IS NO HERO!
This guy is as crooked and corrupt as Obama. He should be run out of town.
"I am not a crook," um, has a familiar ring!
What if this guy is deluded enough to think he has actually done nothing wrong?
In fact, what if he really is innocent? Of course, I highly doubt that, given that they wiretap evidence. If they weren't fairly certain of their evidence I doubt they would have gone public.