Quinn: Blagojevich 'Missing The Point Of Impeachment' (VIDEO)

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn called on Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign Friday in a news conference shortly after the governor railed against the Illinois House's vote to impeach him:

"He should examine his conscience and go forward by resigning," Quinn said.

If he doesn't resign, Quinn said the Illinois Senate should do its job.

"I think the governor is missing the point of the impeachment, and I think it's important for the people of Illinois to keep on course," Quinn said. "The people will prevail. There's no one person who's bigger than the people of Illinois."

Watch Quinn's remarks, which include a recitation of America The Beautiful, his rebuttal to the governor's quoting of Tennyson's Ulysses moments earlier:

Comments

[jsgaetano]

Quinn doesn't understand the Nixonite mindset. They believe one should NEVER admit guilt, and NEVER back down. They believe Nixon could have weathered the impeachment and stayed in power, because staying in power is far more important than being incompetent and a embarrassment to the office.

[Elderlady]

I'm sure Mr. Quinn has ABSOLUTELY no political ambitions of his own. Like moving up to the Governor's office.

And, I know the Madigan's have absolutely no political ambitions. Not beyond wanting the Senate seat for the current Attorney General.

This is turning into great political theater.

I'll think this is serious, when "allegations" turn into "charges", and when "charges" bring a conviction.

Until then, it's all political theater.

[hortonhearsawho2]

How is going to examine something he does not have ?

[kid5rivers2]

"Now is not the time for politics..."
So! What's the purpose of having this press conference, seeing that the decision has been taken to impeach him? Stick to what the law provides by avoiding this sort of spectacle. What also needs to be done is to amend the laws so, in future, when a decision to impeach is taken, the target is automatically suspended pending the outcome, which must, by law, be determined within a specific timeframe lest such a law be abused.

[rhondadavis28]

Rachel Maddow on MSNBC did an outstanding job tonight reporting this.

I laughed at her dialog...she is right on...got to watch it gang,

Rhonda

[indy girl]

Blago's HAIR is bigger than the people of Illinois!

The man doesn't appear to understand how serious an impeachment is, because to him any attention is good attention. Narcissists are funny that way--the world revolves around them. "Hey, is that a camera? Ooh, they're talking about me again! Does my hair look okay?" etc etc. Not to mention when they do something stupid and get caught, they simply pretend it never happened.

[mjb5406]

Unfortunately, Blago sees the impeachment as another PR opportunity, to smear the big bad Illinois House who has embarked on a campaign of terror against children, the infirmed, and the elderly.

Surprised he didn't say what a boon his free rides for seniors has been... except that it's driven the local transit systems to the brink of bankruptcy, forcing them to raise fares for those who have to pay.

[easarsfield]

ugh I actually think Blago likes all of this attention, and that he is somehow convinced that he can still turn things around. What a total idiot. I was completely insulted by his press conference earlier, dragging those poor people out there. He can rag on all he wants about healthcare for children, but let us not forget the allegations he is facing regarding his attempt to shakedown Children's Memorial Hospital. This man is sick and needs to be mentally evaluated.