Blagojevich Saga Continues: Yahoo

The title of this Yahoo! article is “Blagojevich attorney challenges impeachment panel”. And it seems like some agree with Blagojevich’s attorney, Edward Genson.

The first sentence of this article is: “The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear a claim on Wednesday that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is unfit to serve, erasing what would have been the quickest way to force him from office”. This is a big win for Blagojevich and his defense team.

Furthermore, “Ed Genson told the state House panel deciding whether to introduce impeachment that there’s no evidence to back up the claim that Blagojevich demanded kickbacks in exchange for a Senate appointment and he dismissed the secretly recorded conversations that form the heart of the criminal case as “people jabbering”. Who believes Genson?

Yesterday, Blagojevich said that “I can’t wait to tell my side of the story”. What is your side of the story, Mr. Governor? Also, WHEN will you come clean?

On top of all this, “Genson argued (that) it would be illegal for the committee to use material from the wiretaps. He also objected to the panel’s rules, saying (that) they don’t provide a clear standard for recommending impeachment. Genson told the impeachment panel that some of the members had already made up their minds. He also said (that) neither the law nor the constitution spell out the standard for impeachment or what evidence should be considered”. These are desperate measures. Is Genson a reputable attorney? Why wouldn’t it be OK to use wiretaps? And even if the standards for impeachment are not clear, it still doesn’t change the fact that Blagojevich basically a seat on Capitol Hill up for sale.

Genson said that “I would suggest on behalf of Rod Blagojevich that…those two matters be dealt with”.

According to the chairwoman of the committee Barbara Flynn Currie, a democrat, “We’re not a court of law. We’re not a grand jury. We’re not bound by specific rules of evidence”, emphasizing that rules “will be fair and open”. It seems like Democrats are being plenty tough on Blagojevich, one of their own, in sharp contrast to what Republicans are saying.

According to this committee’s top Republican, Jim Durkin, “It’s important that we put those attitudes, those prejudices aside. We should not prejudge at the moment”.

Blagojevich seemed to be oblivious to what was going on around him: “I can’t wait to begin to my side of the story and to address you guys (the media and also the police) and most importantly, the people of Illinois. There’s a time and a place for everything. That day will soon be here and you might know more about that today, no later than tomorrow”. So, Mr. Governor, when exactly will we hear your side of the story?