* 8:15 am - The governor talked to reporters this morning…
Speaking to reporters outside his North Side home before going on a morning jog, Gov. Rod Blagojevich accused the Illinois House and Senate of attempting to “thwart the will of the people” by removing a twice-elected governor.
“The impeachment trial is a sham,” he said.
Blagojevich said he was being denied due process by not being allowed to subpoena witnesses.
Video…
Additional comments from Blagojevich…
For instance, he said he wants to call Rahm Emanuel, President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, to testify on his behalf. He noted that Emanuel has said in a television interview that there was “nothing inappropriate” in his conversations with Blagojevich about naming someone to Obama’s former Senate seat.
* 8:25 am - There’s more to come in a few, apparently…
He also referred to Illinois Sen. John Cullerton, who has said Blagojevich has been deceitful.
Denying any deceit on his part, Blagojevich invited reporters gathered in his front yard, to go down the block to Cullerton’s home and ask him about those comments.
The governor said he would have more to say after his morning run.
Stay tuned.
*** UPDATE *** Well, maybe not. NBC5 has changed that last line above to read…
The governor said he might have more to say after his morning run. [italics added]
I’ll let you know.
*** UPDATE 2 *** That sentence about saying more after the run has now been removed from the NBC5 story. So, no more? I dunno.
*** 8:26 am *** I’m sure he’ll demand a daily show…
During a show early Thursday, the program director at WLS-AM announced that if Blagojevich resigns, the station will offer him his own weekly radio program from noon to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Program director Bob Shomper said the station is asking the governor to spare the state the embarrassment and expense of forcibly removing him from office. […]
Shomper says the station’s offer reflects the will of the people, who he says want the governor gone.
*** 8:38 am *** CBS2 reports that the governor’s lawyers are leaning towards the idea of going to court to block the Senate impeachment trial. Considering the governor’s comments today, and everything else I’ve been told and have seen for the past several days, that certainly appears likely…
The governor’s impeachment trial is set to start Monday, but Wednesday night, there are efforts to stop it. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports that the governor’s attorneys, having virtually given up trying to win the case, are now leaning toward going to court, to try to block the trial.
But Senate President John Cullerton, in an exclusive interview, says he doubts they’ll be successful.
“If they want to go to a court and have a court tell us to stop, that’s up to them. But I cannot envision any court interfering with this process because we are following the constitution,” Cullerton said.
*** 12:38 pm *** Here’s an update, with a hat tip to a commenter…
Around 11:30 a.m. Blagojevich left his home dressed in jeans and a coat. He did not elaborate on his earlier statements but said he might have more to say Friday. He got into a state car with his security detail and left.
Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago), called the governor’s remarks an “unfortunate sideshow.”
“This is a blatant attempt to muddy the distinction between a criminal court process and the Senate impeachment proceeding and rules,” Phelon said.
Phelon is exactly right. I figure we’ll get another late afternoon horror show come Friday. Wonderful.
* Related…
* Blago’s legal fees as gov hit $2.6M: Since taking office in 2003, Gov. Blagojevich has spent a staggering $2.6 million out of his campaign fund on legal fees, with the lion’s share going to pay criminal defense lawyers.
* Ronald Trowbridge: Fitzgerald getting a pass for inflammatory comments
* State Senate Pushes Toward Blagojevich Trial
* ‘Lynching’ rhetoric misses the mark
* Inaugural is uplifting; judging Blagojevich is heavy lifting
* Rod Blagojevich prosecutor to call 12 witnesses at trial
* Lawmakers may be witnesses in impeachment trial
* Ill. governor ignores deadline to submit subpoenas
* Blagojevich Misses Another Deadline
* Blagojevich gives Senate no answer on charges
* GOP has Blago, but substance would be better
* Clemency records should be open