Clove
12-17-2008, 02:16 PM
Blagojevich attorney challenges impeachment panel
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS – 53 minutes ago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An attorney for Gov. Rod Blagojevich challenged the legislative committee considering the governor's impeachment, arguing Wednesday that some members should be removed and the hearings postponed.
Lawyer Ed Genson also argued it would be illegal for the committee to use material from government wiretaps, and he objected to the panel's rules because they don't provide a clear standard for deciding whether to recommend impeachment.
The chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, rejected Genson's challenges.
Genson's appearance offered the first real look at Blagojevich's response to the allegations against him. His attitude suggests the Chicago Democrat will fight every step of the way rather than strike a conciliatory tone.
The governor came out of his Chicago home Wednesday morning and took off for a jog — but not before telling reporters that he's ready to discuss his case.
"I can't wait to begin to tell my side of the story and to address you guys and, most importantly, the people of Illinois. That's who I'm dying to talk to," he said. "There's a time and place for everything. That day will soon be here and you might know more about that today, maybe no later than tomorrow."
Blagojevich said he was "in good hands" with Genson appearing at the Capitol without him. Asked about when he might talk, the governor was glib: "Hang loose. To quote Elvis, `hang loose.' Now can I get a run in, do you think?"
Genson told the impeachment panel that some of its members have made statements suggesting they'd already made up their minds. He also said neither the law nor the constitution spell out the standard for impeachment or what evidence should be considered.
"I would suggest on behalf of Rod Blagojevich that ... those two matters be dealt with," Genson said.
Currie said the committee rules "will be fair and open," but she stressed the panel has wide latitude on how to handle evidence.
"We're not a court of law. We're not quite a grand jury," Currie said. "We're not bound by specific rules of evidence."
Currie has said she's awaiting a response from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald about whether the panel will be allowed to hear testimony from certain witnesses without compromising the federal corruption case against Blagojevich. She said she has no idea when Fitzgerald will reply.
The Illinois Senate also adjourned Tuesday without considering a plan to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat through a special election. Republicans accused the Democratic majority of trying to hold onto the seat by denying the public a right to vote.
Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents last week on charges that include scheming to appoint Obama's replacement based on who offered the governor the best political or financial deal.
The impeachment committee will recommend to the full House whether to move forward with impeachment.
The top Republican on the panel, Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs, said members must not be swayed by their personal feelings about the governor.
"It's important that all of us put those attitudes, those prejudices aside. We should not prejudge at this moment," Durkin said.
Criminal charges aside, the committee will weigh other allegations against Blagojevich. Lawmakers have long accused the Chicago Democrat of abusing his power by spending money without legislative approval, defying legislative orders and denying lawmakers information they should receive.
Associated Press writers Jim Suhr and John O'Connor in Springfield and Michael Tarm in Chicago contributed to this report.
Does anyone else think this guy looks like Mike Myers?
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS – 53 minutes ago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An attorney for Gov. Rod Blagojevich challenged the legislative committee considering the governor's impeachment, arguing Wednesday that some members should be removed and the hearings postponed.
Lawyer Ed Genson also argued it would be illegal for the committee to use material from government wiretaps, and he objected to the panel's rules because they don't provide a clear standard for deciding whether to recommend impeachment.
The chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, D-Chicago, rejected Genson's challenges.
Genson's appearance offered the first real look at Blagojevich's response to the allegations against him. His attitude suggests the Chicago Democrat will fight every step of the way rather than strike a conciliatory tone.
The governor came out of his Chicago home Wednesday morning and took off for a jog — but not before telling reporters that he's ready to discuss his case.
"I can't wait to begin to tell my side of the story and to address you guys and, most importantly, the people of Illinois. That's who I'm dying to talk to," he said. "There's a time and place for everything. That day will soon be here and you might know more about that today, maybe no later than tomorrow."
Blagojevich said he was "in good hands" with Genson appearing at the Capitol without him. Asked about when he might talk, the governor was glib: "Hang loose. To quote Elvis, `hang loose.' Now can I get a run in, do you think?"
Genson told the impeachment panel that some of its members have made statements suggesting they'd already made up their minds. He also said neither the law nor the constitution spell out the standard for impeachment or what evidence should be considered.
"I would suggest on behalf of Rod Blagojevich that ... those two matters be dealt with," Genson said.
Currie said the committee rules "will be fair and open," but she stressed the panel has wide latitude on how to handle evidence.
"We're not a court of law. We're not quite a grand jury," Currie said. "We're not bound by specific rules of evidence."
Currie has said she's awaiting a response from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald about whether the panel will be allowed to hear testimony from certain witnesses without compromising the federal corruption case against Blagojevich. She said she has no idea when Fitzgerald will reply.
The Illinois Senate also adjourned Tuesday without considering a plan to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat through a special election. Republicans accused the Democratic majority of trying to hold onto the seat by denying the public a right to vote.
Blagojevich was arrested by FBI agents last week on charges that include scheming to appoint Obama's replacement based on who offered the governor the best political or financial deal.
The impeachment committee will recommend to the full House whether to move forward with impeachment.
The top Republican on the panel, Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs, said members must not be swayed by their personal feelings about the governor.
"It's important that all of us put those attitudes, those prejudices aside. We should not prejudge at this moment," Durkin said.
Criminal charges aside, the committee will weigh other allegations against Blagojevich. Lawmakers have long accused the Chicago Democrat of abusing his power by spending money without legislative approval, defying legislative orders and denying lawmakers information they should receive.
Associated Press writers Jim Suhr and John O'Connor in Springfield and Michael Tarm in Chicago contributed to this report.
Does anyone else think this guy looks like Mike Myers?