January 14, 2009
Posted: January 14th, 2009 02:05 PM ET
Gov. Blagojevich presided over the swearing in of the Illinois State Senate Wednesday.
Gov. Blagojevich presided over the swearing in of the Illinois State Senate Wednesday.

(CNN) - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich oversaw Wednesday the swearing-in of the state Senate, the very body that will soon hold an impeachment trial against him.

Dressed in a dark suit with a blue tie, Blagojevich presided over the afternoon ceremony in Springfield, which also involved electing a Senate president.

Illinois Appellate Judge Mary Jane Theis swore in the new Senate.

The House voted 114-1 Friday to impeach the governor, who was arrested in
December on federal corruption charges.

Among other allegations, federal prosecutors said the governor tried to trade or sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing and said the House impeachment vote
was politically motivated.

"I'm confident that at the end of the day I will be properly exonerated," Blagojevich declared last week.

The Senate impeachment trial is likely to begin January 26.

Filed under: Rod Blagojevich


Michelle, Chicago   January 15th, 2009 7:31 am ET

Is he impeached? No! So what the hell is taking so long to get the job done?! For the sake of the Illinois'people, we need to be heard not made a mockery for some a delusional governor who can't even comb his hair. That should have been a sign!

Larry   January 14th, 2009 6:40 pm ET

Nobody is going to impeach this guy,they will end up appologizing to him,and reelecting him.

WELCOME TO THE OBAMA SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!   January 14th, 2009 6:04 pm ET

I'M TELLING YOU BLAGO HAS SOMETHING ELSE UP HIS SLEEVE!!!

HE DID IT ONCE AND HE CAN DO IT AGAIN!!!!!!!

JUST WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!

Ernie in LA   January 14th, 2009 5:50 pm ET

Blago rocks

OGA   January 14th, 2009 5:22 pm ET

Why didn't Senator Reid remind the people of Illinois that a swearing-in ceremony presided over by Blogo is tainted and therefore those members of the Illinois senate sworn-in in that ceremony cannot take their seat.

Uncle S.A.M.   January 14th, 2009 4:58 pm ET

If the man is still able to preside over this hearing, I don't know why they made such a big deal out of the Burris pick. The Illinois legislator should have known he was going to pull a stunt like that or should have been prepared for something like that. Although he's scum, he's still the governor. He still hasn't been indicted and hasn't been impeached. So please stop trying to make news. When he actually is impeached, report on that.

SAD SAD   January 14th, 2009 4:24 pm ET

Just like Sen Stevens of Alaska shame is not in their dictionary.

Meh   January 14th, 2009 4:13 pm ET

I think this guy has mental health issues. He's seriously delusional.

ran   January 14th, 2009 4:09 pm ET

All the members should have walked out.

jaye   January 14th, 2009 4:02 pm ET

When is this joker going to jail?
When is Ted Stevens going to jail?
When is Madoff going to jail?
Why are so many crooks still in office??
Our country has become a joke!

amt   January 14th, 2009 3:59 pm ET

I don't believe Blago has done anything any worse than any other politician, he is just more brazen about & that is not a crime.

Edgar   January 14th, 2009 3:48 pm ET

Some of you need to learn to understand what you read; or learn how to read altogether. He did NOT swear in anybody, he just oversaw the process. Stay in school kids!

"Illinois Appellate Judge Mary Jane Theis swore in the new Senate. "

I-DEMAND....   January 14th, 2009 3:40 pm ET

Gov Blagojevich lots of people believe that you have not commited

and wrong-doing...we believe the only wrong you did is not being

the yes-yes man to those corupt politicains and they all know who...

some of us can read between the lines what the media says and

what the truth is....you are no angel Blagojevich after all you are one

of them, namely a politician...........but not guilty and not charged.

Bruce   January 14th, 2009 3:39 pm ET

That's perfect. I had heard Blago was really good at swearing.

Sorensen   January 14th, 2009 3:30 pm ET

What a pathetic joke. He makes Sarah Pahlin look half-way sane
and intelligent.

Elizabeth   January 14th, 2009 3:28 pm ET

Hey Rod – you don't actually have to be exonerated! Just tell everybody that you were, like Sarah Palin did!

obama-mama   January 14th, 2009 3:28 pm ET

Wow. I guess they'll have to drag him kicking and screaming to jail if he gets convicted because he is one character with an "I don't care" attitude. It's like he's not being invited to a party but still shows up...Ha ha ha ha....Love it.

Matt   January 14th, 2009 3:24 pm ET

You want to stir up news? What meathead in the Illinois Senate voted NOT to impeach this guy? Print his name all over the place.

Laurie   January 14th, 2009 3:19 pm ET

Impeachment trial......lol lol lol This idiot is here to stay, he's proving that!

Jim   January 14th, 2009 3:18 pm ET

Nothing will happen to this guy, he's making a fool of the state of Illionois.

Third gradEr CaroLinE eLemenTary Skool   January 14th, 2009 3:18 pm ET

mY teacher SAid that everone had to Pay $1oo to the Governur to get a Seat./ I thinK that is pretty Cheap for a gooD job

Cora   January 14th, 2009 3:18 pm ET

Once again we have proven to our youth that crime doesn't pay, but you're untouchable if you do choose this path. Nothing will happen to you as long as you buck the system long enough. Just throw a tantrum and you'll get your way. Make people very afraid of you and you'll come up on top! Only in America!

Nick   January 14th, 2009 3:11 pm ET

That must have been slightly uncomfortable.

"Do you solemnly swear to faithfully... aww, heck, just give me $50 bucks each and I'll sign whatever you want."

CSanchez   January 14th, 2009 3:08 pm ET

This man has got to go! He has no shame!

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
hambypCNN: @AP_Ken_Thomas excellent duane spencer reference. let's try to work in lee scruggs, too, before the season ends.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:14:50 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Shocking - what's happening in Baghdad. Five terror attacks. More than 100 killed and 400 injured amid fears the violence will increase.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:08:29 -0800
hambypCNN: Kaine vs. Steele on Situation Room today in 6P hour.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:55:02 -0800
@edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
hambypCNN: Big game for the Hoyas tonight against Butler @ 7PM. @moelleithee, @mikemadden and @karentravers will be watching, and you should too.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:04:26 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP