A new morning brings a new governor, but ethics still a concern

Following a unanimous Senate vote Thursday afternoon, Rod Blagojevich is no longer governor of Illinois. A governor was cast out of office for the first time in Illinois history.

On Thursday Blagojevich appeared before the Senate to plea for his job. He addressed some of his accomplishments as governor, but never talked about the allegations of attempting to sell the former Senate seat of President Barack Obama. Even if he had, it wasn't going to matter. Blago was, as Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass calls him, "Dead Meat."

But, once the House impeached Blagojevich for corruption, his dismissal was a foregone conclusion. Blagojevich had few political allies and powerful enemies within his own party. House Speaker Michael Madigan and his daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan are known foes of the governor and it's no secret that the elder Madigan wants his daughter to seek the state's highest political seat. Around the state though, Blago's removal has been soundly approved by most citizens. Even the cast of Spamalot got into the impeachment action with several Blago jokes inserted into the script during last night's performance.

But just because Blago is gone, that doesn't mean corruption in Illinois is over. On the contrary, corruption is still a real part of Illinois politics. It is up to the people to continue to watch the politicians and make sure they to the line. Gov. Pat Quinn, who was sworn in Thursday afternoon, has made a start by creating an independent ethics panel while he was still lieutenant governor. Ultimately though, it's the responsibility of the people to fight for clean and open government.

Blagojevich says impeachment is a plot to have new governor raise taxes

Gov. Rod Blagojevich finally spoke out on his impending impeachment, which begins next week.

Earlier this morning he talked with morning radio hosts on WLS-AM. Playing the victim card, Blago said this impeachment proceedings are nothing more than a plot to raise income and sales taxes on the people of Illinois by May. Blago claimed that Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn has cut a deal with the Democrats in charge of the legislature to get rid of the embattled governor. Of course earlier this month Blago told the press the House has conspired against him because they didn't like the way he was trying to help the common man.

It is entirely possible the Democrats in Springfield are conspiring against him. It's no secret that Blagojevich and Democratic leaders in the legislature, particularly House Speaker Mike Madigan, have a poor relationship. However, it is more likely the Democrats want to get rid of Blagojevich because he is an ineffective governor and chances are there will be a backlash in the next gubernatorial election which could return Republicans to the governor's office.

Blagojevich did not address any of the charges against him - like attempting to sell the Senate seat of President Barack Obama (now Roland Burris), pay to play scams and threatening the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune.

In an interview on Thursday, Blagojevich is also claiming the impeachment proceedings are unfair and unconstitutional because he will not be allowed to call witnesses who would refute the charges he was attempting to sell the Senate seat. In fact, Blago's own attorneys are refusing to represent him in the impeachment proceedings because they are claiming the proceedings are unfair as well.

Blago believes he is the victim of apolitical conspiracy, but in reality the victim is the population of Illinois which deserves good, open government - something that will be a long time coming given the state of politics in Illinois.

Despite protestation of innocence, Blagojevich should step aside for the good of Illinois

Is Gov. Rod Blagojevich channeling Richard Nixon's I am not a crook address?

His comments this afternoon that he has done nothing wrong are astounding. Now I know that in this nation a man is innocent until proven guilty, but I think there's enough evidence that's been released by the U.S. Attorney's office for the citizenry to make a fair judgement about the man.

At a press conference this afternoon Blago said:

I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight. Until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong. "And I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do, because of false accusations and a political lynch mob. Now that's what I'm going to do. Let me tell you what I'm not going to do. I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing. And that is talk about this case in 30 second sound bites on 'Meet the Press' or on the TV news. Now I'm dying to answer these charges, I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who is here and everyone who's listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum, in a court of law, and when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.

Again, the man is innocent until proven guilty. But until he has his day in court, Blago should step aside from his now severely hamstrung position, and allow the Lt. Governor to step into temporary leadership. The people of the state of Illinois deserve no less than exceptional leadership during these difficult economic times. With Blago's strained relationships with House Speaker Michael Madigan, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, running the state will be next to impossible for the governor. The legislature will fight any initiative by the governor, and it's possible the governor will veto legislation that comes across his desk out of spite.