Will Illinois Senate Dump Blagojevich?

Springfield, IL. (AP) - Friday, the Illinois House voted 114 to 1 to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Three not voting. The Illinois House has 118 members. The Senate has 59 members. 60 votes in the House were needed to pass the Articles of Impeachment. The affirmative vote of 40 senators is needed to convict. There is no appeal from that vote and it is effective immediately.

The committee on Thursday unanimously recommended impeachment based on the following Articles:
Article 1) criminal charges pending in the US Attorney’s office but not yet the subject of a specific indictment;
Article 2) that Blagojevich expanded a health care program without proper authority;
Article 3) that he circumvented hiring laws to give jobs to political allies;
Article 4) that he spent millions of dollars on foreign flu vaccine that he knew wasn't needed and couldn't be brought into the country;
Article 5) letting down the people of Illinois by letting ego and ambition drive his decisions.

''The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own,'' the committee's report said. ''It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so.''

Gov. Blagojevich has denied the criminal charges. He criticized the House process as biased and said a Senate trial would produce a different result.

ILLINOIS Constitution Article IV, Section14. IMPEACHMENT
“The House of Representatives has the sole power to conduct legislative investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of a majority of the members elected, to impeach Executive and Judicial officers.

Impeachments shall be tried by the Senate. When sitting for that purpose, Senators shall be upon oath, or affirmation, to do justice according to law. If the Governor is tried, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the Senators elected. Judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and disqualification to hold any public office of this State. An impeached officer, whether convicted or acquitted, shall be liable to prosecution, trial, judgment and punishment according to law.”
www.ilga.gov...

COMMENTARY.
Article V, Section 10. GOVERNOR - REMOVALS
“The Governor may remove for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office any officer who may be appointed by the Governor.”

The section quoted above does not exactly apply in this case but I quoted it to show the kind of misconduct that is subject to the removal process. I think without knowing this would be the standard applied to the governor himself.

Article 1 must fall. It would be a denial of DUE PROCESS to try anyone on as yet unspecified charges.

Article 2 may not have merit especially if the Legislature has been in session after the changes complained of. That would infer consent by the Legislature if they failed to alter the health plan.

Article 3 may not be strong unless there are specific examples of violating some existing law regarding appointments.

Article 4 rests on an allegation about what Blagojevich KNEW and WHEN he knew it. Very shaky case IMO.

Article 5 is an imponderable claim. It is rhetorical. It is entirely subjective and does not lend itself to proof in any other way than if Blagojevich was made to stand for election.

CONCLUSION.
I predict the Illinois Senate will NOT convict Blagojevich! What say you?

[edit on 1/9/2009 by donwhite]

reply to post by donwhite


No way, no how. today, Jan. 9 impeachment proceedings are beginning. Even if he slips by this, which is doubtful, he will go down fast in the Senate, which is bound by law to hold a trial for him. He is dead in the political world.

Ill. House votes to impeach Blagojevich
www.msnbc.msn.com...

"Can Blagojevich Beat the Illinois Rap?" I don't know the answer to that, but based on his cock-sure attitude and narcissistic tendencies, I do know that he will damn sure give it one hell of a try.

Interesting thesis. You may be right.

reply to post by autowrench


You say that law requires it. And what, pray tell, would be the reason that they would follow the law? This is an area as corrupt as San Diego, or even Washington, for the love of Mike. They are above the law, as evidenced by their previous behavior. I was rather surprised that so many in the House already voted against one of their own. Perhaps because of the spotlight on them for the moment. Bugs scatter in the light. The governers crime was getting caught! Relax, when someone is blessed by Lucifer all their days, then suddenly the house of cards collapses. Like OJ. Like Michael. Like Pillory Clinton soon. Like our favorite Arab Communist POTUS. No need to get upset; it will work out. It always does.

reply to post by Gregarious



Yes, it will all work out. and the winners will write the history of it, as always. Again, the people will fall under the spell of easy credit and expensive homes and cars, and technologies that are above their collective intelligence, and again they will allow their leaders to poison them, and control their minds. Again mankind will fight many wars, and kill many of their own kind, for land possession and resources. Does it ever end? This is the cycle we are all a prisoner of, people. We have to break free this time, and we have to stop the killing, or we will never be allowed to play with the adults of the universe. We are but children to them, and we must grow up and take responsibility.

I feel so bad for Illinois. They elect the first black president and then it is tainted with this scandel. I am sure this is not what they want to be known for.
Though me personally, I am not going to reflect the actions of this person on teh rest of the state.

The first black president, 15% black, 35% Arab, from the pit of Chicago corruption/politics. He had/has the backing and mentoring of these hoods, and many communists and terrorists. For anyone to ASSUME he is not corrupt like his cronies, is simply astounding. Blagojevitch is only a small taste of what you are about to witness from the Whitey House. (Maybe he will paint it black?).