THE EMBATTLED Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has made a passionate, last-ditch attempt to save his job as state legislators prepared to impeach him for offences that include allegedly trying to sell President Barack Obama’s former senate seat to the highest bidder.
The governor had refused to take part in the impeachment trial, which he described as a “kangaroo court”, but he surprised legislators by appearing yesterday to make a closing argument on his own behalf. he said.
“Is it the right precedent to set to take a governor twice elected and throw him out of office when you’re not able to prove criminal allegations? The ends don’t justify the means. An improper impeachment not based on evidence are improper ends not justified by means.”
Mr Blagojevich was arrested last month after FBI wiretaps recorded him apparently discussing how he could use his power to appoint Mr Obama’s Senate successor to win financial or political favours.
The state legislature started impeachment proceedings based on the criminal charges against the governor and on claims that he overreached his executive power by bypassing legislators to introduce initiatives, including an extension of healthcare to poor families.
“It ain’t about me. Charge it to my heart,” Mr Blagojevich said.
“When you get to be governor and you get a chance to help people like that, it’s gratifying.” Earlier, prosecutor David Ellis told state senators that the governor’s own words, recorded secretly by the FBI, showed that he should be removed from office.
“Every decision this governor made was based on one of three criteria: his legal situation, his personal situation and his political situation,” Mr Ellis said.
Mr Blagojevich acknowledged that the truth about his conduct is “maybe not flattering in some cases” and that his governing style was sometimes too impatient. He insisted, however, that he could not resign on account of false accusations.
“Imagine yourself in my place. Walk a mile in my shoes. Imagine going to bed comfortably, and then the next day, your whole world changes,” he said. “The whole world’s outside your house, and before you’ve even had a chance to catch your breath, everyone has convicted you.”
