Blagojevich isn't giving up yet

The embattled Illinois governor releases a combative statement responding to the latest impeachment news.

Published January 9, 2009 3:00PM (EST)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich apparently has no intention of going gentle into that good night. After a committee in the lower house of the state's legislature recommended on Thursday that he be impeached, Blagojevich's office released this statement:

Today's vote was not a surprise. The outcome was a foregone conclusion especially when you consider the committee released its report hours before wrapping up testimony. The Governor believes that the impeachment proceedings were flawed, biased and did not follow the rules of law. His team was not allowed to subpoena witnesses, they were never allowed to cross examine people and never given the chance to put on any kind of defense. In all, the Governor's rights to due process were deprived. When the case moves to the Senate, an actual judge will preside over the hearings, and the Governor believes the outcome will be much different.

The full Illinois House is debating impeachment today.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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