BLAGOJEVICH'S SENATE PICK PRESS CONFERENCE

UPDATE, 12/30

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will hold a press conference today to defend his pick of Roland Burris as a replacement for Barack Obama in the senate.

WATCH:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

***

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich defiantly proclaimed his innocence Friday and said that he will not let a "political lynch mob" force him to resign.

"I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath," Blagojevich said in his first official statement since being arrested last week on federal corruption charges. "And I'm not going to quit a job that people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob."

(Scroll down to watch Blagojevich's statement.)

Story continues below

advertisement

From the AP:

The Democrat is accused, among other things, of plotting to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

"I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob," Blagojevich said.

Still, one of the governor's attorneys said Blagojevich will take his constituents into account as the case moves forward.

"He told me if it doesn't work, if it is too hard if the people of Illinois suffer, he will step aside," attorney Sam Adam Jr. said after the governor finished speaking.

Blagojevich had been itching to talk, saying he wanted to tell his side of the story even though his lead defense attorney, Ed Genson, didn't like the idea. On Friday, Blagojevich asked state residents to "sit back and take a deep breath, and please reserve judgment."

"Afford me the same rights that you and your children have -- the presumption of innocence, the right to defend yourself," said the governor, who said he wants to "answer every allegation" in court.

Genson, who did not attend Blagojevich's news conference, has said he plans to challenge the court-ordered wiretaps at the heart of the allegations against Blagojevich. Genson called the wiretaps inappropriate, if not illegal.

Genson said he expects a federal grand jury to indict his client, which likely would unseal many of the documents supporting the charges.

The governor is also accused of trying to strong-arm the Chicago Tribune into firing editorial writers who criticized him, and pressuring a hospital executive for campaign donations.

The accusations outraged lawmakers from the president-elect on down and many demanded Blagojevich resign. He has steadfastly ignored such pressure and has continued to show up to work at his Chicago office and sign bills.

Watch Blagojevich's remarks:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Read HuffPost's Rod Blagojevich Big News page for complete coverage.

Comments

[wantstotalk]

Blago.

Terrific article from the LT (the new 24/7 Obama news site--so cool!) on Obama's appointments, including the Rick Warren inaugural controversy:

He Means It

http://www.lipmantimes.com/?p=1146

[mairs]

So did Rush Limbaugh really offer him five million to refuse to step down?

[Kassandra]

Looks like Rahm might be in a little bit of trouble along with ol' ROD:

"Emanuel did contact the governor's office about the appointment and left Blagojevich with the impression that he was pushing Valerie Jarrett, a close Obama friend, so he wouldn't have to compete with her in the White House for Obama's attention, said a person close to Blagojevich. The person was not authorized to talk about the governor's discussions regarding the vacancy and requested anonymity."

Or, it could just be a vindictive statement against Emmanuel? After all this IS Murdoch news service now. Nonetheless,a tad disturbing about Jarrett.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcpoVP8qq-eXJi9T0imPYab5NRUQD956NIPO0

[roch20]

This man (Blago) is garbage!!!!

[kidflash]

out of breath but his hair was perfect

[Rachael78]

the merry Christmas at the end was the most disturbing part of the whole thing

[Rachael78]

has he heard the tapes?

[Stilton4]

bl/ag/o only want 1 th/ing: ca/rol/in/e s/it o/n f.a/c/e.

[vjoseph]

Why was that man out of breath when he was saying that?

[postman606]

That was the garrot I had around my Blago voodoo doll's neck.

[Ty90]

"I will fight, i will fight, i will fight!". Lol! This guys hilarious.

[PAposter]

This guy is creepy...he should not be in office...there is clearly something wrong with him.

[Ozohead]

IF you and all others are choking on smoke
It's more than probable that there is a fire
When lawmen unanimously vote to oust you
And you know your situation is dire
You coiffe yourself and go on television
To say you're innocent and you will fight
Reciting the poem did not redeem you
It just made you sound so awfully trite

I'm copywriting this and adding it to my collection lol

[PAposter]

very good :)

[entemplin]

hm, he should think about going into show business. his whole 'speech' seemed like something out of a movie.

[Ty90]

Lol! It sure did.

[PAposter]

...so rehearsed and self-serving...he did not help his case in my opinion.

[smag]

Unfortunately I am afraid the Blog is not that different from normal politicians except he got caught. It is interesting watching and reading how so many of the politicans are scurring around parsing their words about what is game as to trading and giving benefits for support. They live in a Parellel universe and situational ethics can cover anything until the wire tap brings it to light. Fungus can only grow in the dark.

[Babysnake]

I'm glad he will get his day in court.

don't care one way or another if he is innocent or guilty, but i do want the process to work.

[naschkatze]

I do too, but we seem to be a very small minority, even here on HuffPo.

[Annemariefay]

Classic sociopath. Add to that the fact that he seems to think he's John Travolta.
Right down to the hair dye. Just sayin.

[naschkatze]

Are you a certified psychologist, psychiatrist or sociologist? Just sayin.

[mairs]

Is this a psychiatrist's office?

Just sayin'.