If it were a football game, the mercy rule would have been invoked. But the unmerciful drubbing of now former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Illinois Senate impeachment proceedings dragged on and on, and while some point to democracy at work, we see rank pol
If it were a football game, the mercy rule would have been invoked. But the unmerciful drubbing of now former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the Illinois Senate impeachment proceedings dragged on and on, and while some point to democracy at work, we see rank politics at its worst.
Blagojevich decided not to mount any defense in the Senate trial and chose not to even attend the proceedings. He thought his best defense was an offense.
Unfortunately, we agree with the governor. What he called his defense is offensive to every citizen of this state. His public relations road show became a sickening reminder that he is completely out of touch with Illinois residents and possibly out of touch with reality.
We don’t have sympathy for Blagojevich, who has comported himself as a capital buffoon throughout. With impeachment as a foregone conclusion, he had become a parody of himself, telling early morning news shows that he considered naming Oprah Winfrey to succeed Barack Obama in the Senate. He hemmed and hawed when asked if he actually said those things reported in that complaint, saying only that those profane snippets were taken out of context. He has pandered to Black voters since he was arrested, seizing upon the selection of Roland Burris to fill Obama’s seat as a way to sway Black voters to his side. He now goes populist on us, saying the Legislature wanted him out of the way so they can raise taxes. It is distressing to watch him deconstruct on national television.
Our sympathy goes only to the rule of law, where everyone is to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
To be honest, we’re wondering about this impeachment process.
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