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Blago's Impeachment Begins

Governor no stranger to this, lawyer says

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 16, 2008 8:17 AM CST

(Newser) – The Illinois House voted 113-0 yesterday to authorize a committee to look into Rod Blagojevich’s misdeeds, the first step towards impeaching the disgraced governor, the Chicago Tribune reports, in an unprecedented Democratic-led attempt to oust Illinois’ first Democratic governor in a quarter-century. But Democrats brushed off calls to strip the governor of the power to appoint Obama’s successor, drawing criticism from Republicans.

The committee will begin weeks of hearings today, and may subpoena witnesses and seek information from the US Attorney’s office. “This is not a kangaroo court,” promised the committee’s chair. Blagojevich, meanwhile, returned to work yesterday, signing a dozen bills into law. His attorney said he was unconcerned with the machinations to oust him. “Talk of impeachment is nothing new to the governor.”

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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves a downtown office building Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is photographed inside a car as he leaves a downtown office building Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

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I’ve had an opportunity to know Mr. Blagojevich for over six years, so I was not surprised. - House Speaker Michael Madigan, on hearing the allegations against Blagojevich

This is not a kangaroo court. It's absolutely critical that we don't rush to judgment, that we don't say, because the public is clamoring for his head, we should take the head first and do the trial later. - Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who will chair the committee investigating Blagojevich

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Blago's Impeachment Begins