Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Blagojevich: Arrest Was My Family's Pearl Harbor

Impeached governor plans to fight to the end, but won't appear at Senate trial

By Gabriel Winant,  Newser User

Posted Jan 23, 2009 9:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Say this for Rod Blagojevich: He doesn’t embarrass easily. In an interview yesterday with the AP, he compared his arrest to Pearl Harbor: “Dec. 9 to my family, to us, to me, is what Pearl Harbor Day was to the United States. It was a complete surprise, completely unexpected. And just like the United States prevailed in that, we’ll prevail in this.”

Blagojevich said he won’t resign before the impeachment trial scheduled for next week in the Illinois state Senate—which is “a rush to judgment” by lawmakers. “The reason they’re doing this is because they can’t wait to get rid of me so they can raise taxes on the people of Illinois," he said. “This is as much about a tax increases as it is about anything else.”

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in Chicago yesterday.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in Chicago yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in Chicago yesterday.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home in Chicago yesterday.   (AP Photo)
The new president of the Illinois state Senate, Democrat John Cullerton, is sworn in, January 14, 2009. The Senate begins the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday.
The new president of the Illinois state Senate, Democrat John Cullerton, is sworn in, January 14, 2009. The Senate begins the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Monday.   (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

But what I won't do is cave in and sacrifice the people of Illinois and be party to some phony farce, some unconstitutional process that's designed to remove me from office so these lawmakers can raise taxes. - Rod Blagojevich

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Riffran
Jan 24, 2009 2:02 AM CST
you mean bluggo was bombed by Japanese Zeros?......lol.....That is one arrogant s.o.b....Thats like saying a prison riot stand off, is like the Battle of the Alamo, or Valley Forge...what a putz
NewserHound
Jan 22, 2009 9:55 PM CST
Blago has done nothing but raise taxes himself. But instead of putting the money into the state, he seems to be putting it back in his pocket.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne