CNN

How can some compare this man to Clinton's case? This man has foul mouth, committed his wrong doings which were part of politics...Clinton's case was something which is not part of politics, it is part of private life. Did not harm people, the world.

DUH!

Based on what... an allegation?? Come on people. Yes, he is a big eye sore but there is in fact still no indictment.

The trial of a criminal case asks the question of whether the accused is guilty or not based upon the evidence. The trial of a bill of impeachment asks the question of whether the person should be removed from office. They are two separate (but related) matters.

Theoretically, Blagojevich could be impeached and removed by the state legislature, then subsequently found not guilty by a federal court of the crimes alleged by the federal prosecutor. Or, the other way around, and both decisions would stand.

I am a Moderate Independent... (Though, I lean slightly liberal democrat). I only have to say...

THANK YOU GOD

What about Richardson? Shouldn't we be having all this for him too? Shouldn't the lt gov in New Mexico be trying to force Richardson out? The double standard here reveals what's really happening. All of this is a smokescreen to cover up what is really going on. What that is will be for you to decide. It really bothers me that Quinn is considered a credible source to discredit the man he is trying desperately to replace with a father daughter team behind him with the Madigans. Investigate Blago yes, and investigate all of the others and their conflicts of interest too. We can use this opportunity to clean house.

I recommend they put lip stick on him, put his hair in ponytails and drop him off at Statesville now. He would make some big black guy a pretty wife.

What about Richardson? Shouldn't we be having all this for him too? Shouldn't the lt gov in New Mexico be trying to force Richardson out? The double standard here reveals what's really happening. All of this is a smokescreen to cover up what is really going on. What that is will be for you to decide. It really bothers me that Quinn is considered a credible source to discredit the man he is trying desperately to replace with a father daughter team behind him with the Madigans. Investigate Blago yes, and investigate all of the others and their conflicts of interest too.

What about Richardson? Shouldn't we be having all this for him too? Shouldn't the lt gov in New Mexico be trying to force Richardson out? The double standard here reveals what's really happening. All of this is a smokescreen to cover up what is really going on. What that is will be for you to decide. It really bothers me that Quinn is considered a credible source to discredit the man he is trying desperately to replace with a father daughter team behind him with the Madigans. Investigate Blago yes, and investigate all of the others and their conflicts of interest too!

Considering the circumstances, I don't think Burris should have accepted the position and he should have let the press have it be known. He would have been able to market himself as a super hero and would have become the senator anyway. Instead, he has created an image that he has comprimised himself.

They should wait to find out if he did anything wrong first. If the prosecutors case is so thin he needs another ninety days before he brings charges, he may not be as quilty as the media has been saying.

I agree with the panel...but it is ironic that THIS issue flies thru the congress (albeit the IL congress) with bi-partisan support....whereas anything related to employment, the economy, and taxes gets shunted off to someone's committee!!

He needs to be impeached for that haircut!

he may be impeached, but he won't be convicted. Why ?, because there is no case, that's why. He won't even go on trial-that's clear from the 90 days the prosecutor "needs" to actually develop a case. Oh, and Burrus will be seated as Senator ( as he should be if one chooses to observe the law rather than emotion)

This means in 2010 old Roland Burris is going to be campaigning as the appointee corrupt and in prison Blagojevich named. Burris can tell everyone he didn't pay Blagojevich, but if you sleep with dogs you're gonna catch fleas.

Come on Rod take the rest of these crook's with you. The Dem. party not wanting to seat Burris unless they can make a deal, do we have a double standard here. I think all these guy's make some kind of deal or deals to either gain financially or politically. Either way you gain financially, what makes the differance. This sham of just going after Blago before his day in court will come back and hopefully bite alot of these state politcians in the rear. Durbin, Jesse White, Stroger, Obama, Daley, etc...... , can we get cell's ready for all of them?

Hey WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sorry, but it is quite over and PE Obama is YOUR president too!

Quick, Rush is on!

"Chuckle, snort" It sure is easy to keep these self proclaimed "Real Americans" occupied isn't it?

"I am not a crook" . . . .

Something about his face really just makes me want to punch him in it.

Never ceases to amaze me how the dunder-headed dolts here spew the same lib, kook, Code Pink, namby-pamby, Sean Penn / Micheal Moore fed, bull about Bush and Chenney. In time you will be proven wrong and you will be made to look like bigger fools than you already are.

Question – If Bush is so evil, so bad, then why has the Chosen One, Barack 'Jesus' Obama, had at least 2 face to face meetings and numerous phone calls with Bush. You'd think that if Bush was so bad, so evil, that Obama wouldn't want to have anything to do with him.

But hey, all you tin foil hat wearing freaks keep up with your conspiracy theories. While the rest of us will see what real crooks do after january 19th.

Time to for all of the politicians who are corrupt to go down...They are still American's and should be punished as such!

Just do it and let's move on!

I think that they should and not only that, but to convict him of the crimes that he committed.

I am sure that there should be a group of people that their only job is to make sure that ALL of the politicians are not committing any crimes, and if so, try them and put them away for a very long time.

He was "guilty" the minute he started asking for bribes, and "proven guilty" when his own words were recorded. Everything else is just a formality. Throw the bum out.

Why are all the other Illinois Dems staying so quit about Rod.What can he say about the rest of Illinois Politics

so they start impeachment proceedings and when it comes to the part about being GUILTY of HIGH CRIMES and MISDOMENERS do they just say well he has been charged and so MUST be guilty?

I guess if that reasoning worked for the people held in Gitmo it should work here also

idiots

Beanne, an innocent person would have been more than eager to provide all the necessary documents and answers to questions, especially when they're unjustly accused of a criminal action. Right now he is the "Ringmaster" of his own circus, and he seems to be enjoying it. I feel sorry for the people of Illinois, because they are the one's who suffered from his games. This is a primary example as to why people need to be more aware of what's going on in all governments, Federal, State, County, and City. Demand more accountability from all elected officials. Demand check points, for the purpose of lessening one's ability to accomplish fraud and deceit.

The Governor of Illinois would have already proven his innocence, without hesitation, if he had nothing to hide. He should have already been impeached. He's only been provided more time to accomplish other acts against the people of Illinois, if that's his agenda. Sad isn't it, who do you trust when it comes to money.

Cut the crap!

We want to hear the tapes!

People who believe in "true democracy" want to know NOW – all three of us...

smile!

Has he been found guilty yet??????

Hello!!!! Thanks for the info Captain Obvious...

Brian- Exactly what planet have you been living on. Bill Clinton was correctly IMPEACHED for High Crimes and Misdismeanors and DISBARRED for lying under oath in the state of Arkansas. He was not removed from office as a result of the manical and hypocritical political partisianship of the dems in Congress.

That's why George Bush was elected – as a backlash to Clinton, along with the pathetic candidates the dems ran against him...Al "Carbon Credits" Gore and John "reporting for duty, but it was my buddies medal" Kerry.

Thanks a lot dems...the last 8 years are as much YOUR fault as anybodies.

maybe his day in court will force him to change that"do"of his,he might consider a mullet......

it's about time!

and Bush will be next!

Too little too late

The more I read and hear about Blagojevich, the more I like him. Sure, he tried to sell Obama's seat, but how is that any different than the argument I hear for Caroline Kennedy? Pundits all over the place are saying that Gov. Paterson absolutely must pick her because of her money. Ummm....isn't that exactly what Blago was doing? Yet we hear nothing about the NY seat. I also love the absolute moxie of this guy. He stymied the Democratic leaders in the Senate along with the President-Elect. This guy is one great politician. You gotta admire his political acumen. Hot Rod will not spend one solitary day in jail. He won't even be indicted until sometime in April. Fitzgerald chaged him before he had all the evidence, and there is no way he would get a fair trial. He may very well get impeached, but I am not even sure about that anymore. All I can say is, grab the popcorn and enjoy the show. I know I am!

I can't wait for Ray Liotta to play this guy in the TV movie of this event.

Come on Al and Cheryl...share with us your inside knowledge of this administration's "crimes". There is no question (with 20-20 hindsight) that some of them were wrong. There is no question (with 20-20 hindsight) that they are NOW not popular. Please provide the facts that they were criminal. Or (typically) are you just repeating what some told you, what someone else told him about another liberal who chooses to repeat disinformation long enough that they start believing it.

I find it hard to believe with all the attacks by the left, Reid in particular, that if there were crimes committed that the dems would not been in a feeding frenzy.

Sorry to burst another bubble liberals.

They are all brilliant, just brilliant.

Shouldn't he at least way be indicted first? What happens if he is found not gulty? How much do you think the State of Ill. will fork out in money if he is found not guilty and was thereby wrongly impeached?
Rember on the pay to play, somebody is going have to come up and say they were involved in the pay to play game with Blago. Obama has already giving orders for his people to deny. Jesse Jackson is denying, Harry Reid is denying, Rahm Emmanual is denying. These are all politicians with everything to lose. Everybody is going to lie. This is the flip side of the Michael Vick case where the other defendents had everything to gain by telling on Vick and they sung like canaries. Chicago politician chickens are coming home to roost.

Why not just let him go. We are in a brave new world now, with Obama soon to lead the country and all sorts of shadiness running through congress. Blago is the least of our worries at this point.

And it's already happened. A story about a corrupt Democrat prompts someone (Al, NY NY) to bring up W in order to make the Democrat look good by comparison. When a corrupt Republican is being reported, people on here don't bring up corrupt Democrats to make the Republican look better. Hypocrites.

ya think !!!!

It's about time. What else do they need. For him to actually commit murder?

"beanne January 8th, 2009 12:08 pm ET what ever happened to innocent untill proven guilty?"

Dunno, why don't we ask the people keeping political prisoners in GITMO that question?

Bill Clinton January 8th, 2009 1:20 pm ET

I think he deserves his day in court.
----------
What do you think impeachment means? Impeachment is only the accusation of a crime. He gets his day in court, and the Senate renders the verdict. Even Bill Clinton knows that!

JUST PAY HIM TO LEAVE! All politicians have a price.

Although I feel the Governor is corrupt, he is innocent until proven guilty but that does not prevent an impeachment. They can impeach for abuse of power and other "non" criminal activity. Some people on this blog do not understand the process. It has nothing to do with Congress..ikt is a state matter and there must be due process no matter how much we dislike the guy. I also believe that there is alot more that will be coming out.

beanne January 8th, 2009 12:08 pm ET

what ever happened to innocent untill proven guilty?
------------------
To impeach means to accuse, not convict. Bill Clinton was impeached (accused) for lying under oath, but was found not guilty.

Be careful what you ask for, after all he is innocent until proven otherwise.

Proud American January 8th, 2009 12:22 pm ET
Duh…

Most intelligent thing I've ever heard you say P.A. Now if you can would on that drooling problem, we might be able to let you out in public.

Hey, if you're gonna make some policitions accountable, make them all accountable. Start way back many years ago, the ones that are still alive, don't dig up the dead. Start from the lowest and go to the highest. We need honesty in America!!!!!

Yes, because he is blatently disrespctful of the ethical and moral conduct one expects. And, oh, yes, he told a lie to his momma. What a bad boy. I presume the word "visibility" might make honest men of our politicians.

Never mind the senate seat he was trying to sell.

His hair is an impeachable offence!

Will this show that Gov. B tried to have Burris 'buy'...I don't think Burris did buy anything...but that doesn't mean the Gov. didn't try. Anyone know?

Why is this guy so pigheaded. If he has any dignity he should resign and fade away. If he does not on his own he should be impeached and thrown out of office. He is a shame to the democratic party.

tHEY BETTER LET HIM CONTINUE AS IS. FOR WHEN HE STARTS TO TALK , BEWARE , THEY MAY FIND HIM TO SAY THINGS ABOUT HOW OBAMA AN CHICAGO POLITICS WORK. WRIGHT !!!

Ok, what makes this dude think he's any different than other presidents. He wanted the position, he got it. Are we supposed to make exceptions for him?

Do it already. Throw the bum out.

"what ever happened to innocent untill proven guilty?"

Um, "impeachment" starts the legislature's trial process. It's the same as being indicted, it opens things up for a trial in the state legislature. They have decided that sufficient evidence exists of abuse of power by Blago that they can impeach him, which will lead to a trial to determine if any wrongdoing was done. Then if convicted, he can be removed from office.

If they had just hauled him out of office by the scruff of his neck and put the Lt Gov in there instead, that would have been him being found guilty without a trial.

Proud American: Is that the comment you get when you look in the mirror! DUH!!

Our justice system applies to politicians too.

The impeachment process should be underway most expeditiously. We applied the standards to Ted Stevens and Larry "playing footsies in the bathroom" Craig so why not the same for sneaky Blago?

Do it.

And please take Burris with you!

I think he deserves his day in court.

This is all good ... but the Burris appointment stands.

If the legislature wanted to prevent Blago from making it, they should have moved immediately after he was arrested.

I give Fitzgerald a lot of leeway but not absolute power. He wouldn't be the first cop to over state the strength of his case against an innocent man.

Let's really hear everything on those tapes and put this to an end. If Blago's defense is "well, I said those things, but I didn't FOLLOW THROUGH" then I'll support a speedy impeachment.

beanne January 8th, 2009 12:08 pm ET
what ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
________________________________________

Exactly!
All the holier than thou group seem to forget that EVERYONE has the right to a trial.
It doesn't matter what any of us think about him. According to our constitution, he is innocent until a court of law PROVES WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT, that he is guilty.

Hell, the man hasn't even been indicted yet, let alone convicted.

To Karen – Jan. 20th – Can't wait..you do know it's the state legislature of Illinois that impeaches him, right?

Although if it was Congress who did this, it'd never get done.

You better be quick. He is shifty

Chuck, you are absolutely correct.

Can we take away his hair dye at the same time?

this guy is more than you first think! let the chips fall and see what comes of it – premature statements leave many with egg on their faces! this country still needs its "whipping boys" it seems....

If you or I did something like this we would already have been fired and put in jail........come on get the bum out of office and finish this investigation and get him to trial so his peers can throw his butt in jail.

He is a crook as most of goverment. They are all stealing from the people and we have to to keep bailing them out.

Surprise, a Democrat, a politician and a lawyer, from Illinois! Burris would make a better governor, or president.

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!! January 8th, 2009 12:37 pm ET

THIS ISN'T OVER YET!!!!!!!

BLAGOJEVICH HAS OTHER THINGS TO BRING OUT ABOUT ILLINOIS POLITICS BUT I AM SURE THE DEMS WILL COVER IT UP!!!!
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So far, in the past year, you've been wrong about everything.
Why stop now?

He's an idiot. Stop thinking and just do it. The "gov is not above" the law. Just do it.

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS ISN'T OVER YET!!!!!!!
BLAGOJEVICH HAS OTHER THINGS TO BRING OUT ABOUT ILLINOIS POLITICS BUT I AM SURE THE DEMS WILL COVER IT UP!!!!
------------------------------

Just like W and Darth Vadar covered up things while they were in office w/ the complete complicity of the GOP congress members... The truth about these corrupt criminals will soon be exposed. The 25%(?) of you lemmings that still cling to the illusion that this dimwit is doing a good job will have to face the fact that he is as corrupt if not more than any other POTUS

CNN WHO THE HELL CARES ABOUT ILL GOVENOR.this is the worst case of soooo called news reporting.ever happened. get a life cnn

I see Rod requesting a pink jumpsuit instead of an orange one,to match his undies.

OMG! They'll impeach Blagojevich for allegedly attempting to sell a Senate seat but they won't impeach Bush and Cheney for lying to US citizens and committing war crimes. Americans sometimes have strange priorities.

Blagojevich will be singing loudly as he goes down. The FBI may have to slap him to make him shut up.

I want to know what was said between Reid and Blago. Reid is a little old jerk and I long to see him fried. The implosion begins and 1994 will repeat itself in 2010.

Well if you are going to do it, then get on with it. All this waiting is crazy and it only compromises the case and even the credibility of the feds doing their job.

Purple Microdot, I totally agree with u on the US attorney made a big mistake by not waiting for the crime to accually occur. But I understand somewhat why Fitzgerald went ahead and arrested him. But I also think there more than this pay to play scandal. Scumbag been playing dirty tricks before this happened and I believe the US attorney will come up with more stuff to hang Gov. Scumbag by his u know what.

SO DO IT --What's the problem--he either is or isn't guilty !!!!!

THIS ISN'T OVER YET!!!!!!!

BLAGOJEVICH HAS OTHER THINGS TO BRING OUT ABOUT ILLINOIS POLITICS BUT I AM SURE THE DEMS WILL COVER IT UP!!!!

Should have been done the day after he was arrested.

If what Fitzgerald said is true that Blagojevich is on tape attempting to sell the Illinois senate seat, then throw the book at him!

Hurry up, this man has already thumbed his nose at Illinois and the country. Hurry up and impeach him. NOW.

don't put off until tomorrow what you should have done yesterday.

Blagojevich is a menace and should go NOW! Unreal, I can't believe this soga is still going on.. What the hell is Congress waiting on?

I personally think that the prosecution botched the case by not waiting for an "acutal" crime (i.e. money transfer) to occur before making the arrest. The IL governor appears to be somewhat shady, but without a conviction by the feds, can the IL state government still impeach Blagojevich? I think that an impeachment by IL and a later acquital of all charges by the feds would only create a new circus. This is all hypothetical and I wish that it would go away, but we're stuck with this fiasco – for some time to come.

Can we impeach the others too? They have allowed corporate lobbyists to tax us heavily and they have allowed price gouging. I think our electric bills went up......

hoooooooo-ray.

finally. blago (shortened, and left lower case as a sign of dis-respect) will no longer be damaging this fine state, that I like a goodly amount.

A committee of Illinois legislators recommended Thursday that the state's governor be impeached......FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9........It took a month for the committee of Illinois legislators to step up ........Wonder -Y
-

Duh...

I'd have impeached him a long time ago just for that hairdo. Looks like that hair you snap onto a Lego person's head.

Suprised?

out on his ear.

WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR???????????GET THIS SERBIAN BEAST INTO A CELL IMMEDIATELY. HE NEEDS TAMING.

It's about time they acted. How long will it actually take them to act on the recommendation? Til the end of his term?

what ever happened to innocent untill proven guilty?

Do it !!

They can recommend impeachment all day. The man hasn't been indicted and he is still handling the duties of the governor. I believe the saying goes, "don't beat a dead horse." He made the senate appointment and the legislator did nothing to stop it. At the very least, his duty of appointing ANYONE should have been stripped. The legislator were dragging their feet on this one.

Get this man out of politics. If any others are found to be doing illegal stuff, get rid of them too. It's time for all states take out the trash and restore our country.

This is a good start, that is one corrupt public servant, let's go get them all.

Ya think?