Blagojevich Appears At Trial And Speaks But Is Not Sworn In

Gov. Rod Blagojevich, heeding the advice of people to whom he's talked during his national media blitz this past week, gave as stirring and convincing defense of the impeachment charges leveled against him in a nearly hour-long speech before the Illinois Senate this morning as he possibly could have done. I was able to listen to most of the speech broadcast live over the Chicago Tribune's website. I don't think a criminal defense professional could have done any better job than the governor did in defending himself. Interestingly, the Supreme Court Chief Justice presiding over the trial did not ask that Blagojevich be sworn in before he made the statements at his trial. The Chief Justice invited him to stick around afterwards, but the governor said he would be on his way. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to be sworn in later this afternoon immediately upon the completion of the impeachment vote. He and his family have already prepared for the move to Springfield. Wisely, the governor headed for the airport to catch a taxpayer-paid ride back to Chicago before his gubernatorial privileges are cut off. The Senate retired for the lunch hour so both parties could caucus prior to the prosecution's rebuttal arguments, debate and final vote this afternoon. Rich Miller of The Capitol Fax has a good rundown of today's impeachment trial.

UPDATE: The Senate voted unanimously to impeach him. Seeing Sen. Jimmy "The Bagman" DeLeo (D-Chicago) among the assorted characters standing up at press conference of Senate Democrats called to pat themselves on the back for their action today was pretty hard to stomach. DeLeo was busted earlier in his legislative career acting as a bagman for corrupt judges in the Cook County Circuit Court. By virtue of a last-minute change in testimony by his roommate, he was spared a jail sentence. The voters of Crook County have continued to send him back to Springfield where he continues to engage in nefarious activities. I have a feeling that Blagojevich will get the last laugh with some of these guys, if there is any justice in this world.