Rod Blagojevich has been removed from office by the Illinois Senate:
Illinois senators stripped Rod Blagojevich of power Thursday in the final act of a political drama that handed the reins of state government to his estranged lieutenant, Pat Quinn, and will likely end Blagojevich’s career in politics.
Senators voted unanimously to convict Blagojevich, 59-0 and shortly thereafter, Quinn was sworn in as Illinois’ new governor.
The outcome was never in doubt. In fact, Quinn went to the state Capitol earlier in the day in preparation of being sworn in.
The governor’s impeachment was triggered by his arrest last month on a variety of federal corruption charges. The criminal complaint against him included a long list of shocking quotes that portrayed Blagojevich as trying to auction off President Obama’s vacant U.S. Senate seat and pressure people for campaign donations.
I’m honestly surprised that he was ousted this easily. I thought he’d put up more of a fight, delay the proceedings. I can only conclude that he never understood what was happening to him.
Pat Quinn, the lieutenant governor, has been sworn in to replace Blagojevich as governor. Quinn has always struck me as a decent bloke.
I wish they’d done this a couple of weeks ago.
Ding dong the witch is dead, which old witch?
Blagojevich!
I’m surprised the Governor didn’t file a lawsuit. I thought today’s speech to the General Assembly would culminate in some gibberish about learning how the nation supported him and how he felt compelled to file suit in federal court to fight for the people.
I’ve never been a big Quinn fan, but he’s an excellent fit for the situation. On the day after Christmas, I took my kids to the Capital for a tour; there was one car in the parking lot reserved for legislators, consitutional officers and other VIPs. It was Quinn’s. I’d say he’s been getting ready.
I wonder if there is anything that can be done to remove Roland Burris from the seat seeing as his appointment was by the shadiest guy around. If Burris really was a straight arrow, he would not have pushed the issue – he basically is like Blageovich, muscling because of some “right” he thinks he has. If he has waited for Quinn to appoint him, at least he would be a legitimate Senator!
he should just be tossed for having the name Rod!
The bum should have been taken out of office a long time ago.Bums like him are not needed in goverment.Thats the reason this country is so screwed up now.