Blagojevich: It's A Plot To Raise Taxes, I'm A Soldier For Constitutional Rights

Gov. Rod Blagojevich continued his assault on the rules of his upcoming impeachment trial Friday morning, telling a radio audience that the "fix is in" and his removal is part of a plan to enact a massive tax increase.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

"They want to get me out fast so they could put a huge income-tax increase on the people of Illinois," the governor said in a 43-minute interview this morning on WLS-AM 890's Don Wade & Roma show. "And they want to raise the sales tax on gas. . . . If I'm out of the way, they can quietly push this through."
[...]
"If I participate in this sham impeachment, I will undermine the people," Blagojevich said, also calling himself "a soldier for constitutional rights."

Listen:

Progress Illinois posted a transcript.

Blagojevich's radio appearance was the first of a spate of media appearances meant to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the state Senate impeachment trial. The governor railed against the proceedings at a Friday afternoon news conference, describing the proceedings as a "hanging," and is reportedly in talks to appear on "The View" and "Good Morning America."

Comments

[RJC]

11:35 PM on 01/23/2009

What a Hero

[RJC]

11:22 PM on 01/23/2009

Obviously going for an insanity defense

[ppitstop]

10:00 PM on 01/23/2009

Oh, the trials and tribulations of martyrdom. Must be nice to have the world revolve around you, if only in your head...

[Younity]

06:07 PM on 01/23/2009

Time to get this over with now. This guy reminds me of the nerd in junior high who ruins every class outing for everybody.

[gditty]

05:42 PM on 01/23/2009

Mental gymnastics is permitted to fully understand a Blago's press conference. The way he spinned the cowboy story into a tax conspiracy was pure genius, no sane indivdual could come up with crap like that.

[Star2000dancer]

06:08 PM on 01/23/2009

We all know, or at least should know that corruption ran rampant during the both Bush years. Have'nt you noticed that all of a sudden the most brilliant Dems are being busted? I remember this same thing happening when Clinton was elected. None of his prosecuters should throw the 1st stone lest they be investigated themselves. I think this is what he was counting on.

[Cynth]

05:16 PM on 01/23/2009

That's Blagojevich...a real Norma Rae.

[Aldyth]

05:13 PM on 01/23/2009

My diagnostic work up is that Blago has narcissistic personality disorder.

Of course, none of this is his fault. It's everybody else. Every politician in the state legislature got together and agreed to do this to you. It's amazing. The first time every politician in Illinois EVER agreed on anything.

[SurrealPumpkin]

06:22 PM on 01/24/2009

Bipolar Disorder - Manic episode.

[Paparaze]

03:52 PM on 01/23/2009

His defense is baseless but he has a point that can improve the constitution. Miranda Right came about from someone who was as guilty as hell.
The 'best' part is that Rahm Emmanuel told him that trying to sell his boss seat is not a big deal. Hope that will stick. Comic Rod!
It wont be an easy fight since he wants to sub-poena big names.

[Indedave]

03:49 PM on 01/23/2009

More proof that it is way past time to re-examine the De-institutionalization Doctrine.

[amakda]

03:39 PM on 01/23/2009

Yeah, yeah Rod...everything is a plot against you. It's all a big conspiracy. It's not like you're really a corrupt b@st@rd who needs to be removed from office for completely destroying the state and its reputation.

[sweetme]

03:39 PM on 01/23/2009

wow

[lvdragonlady]

03:17 PM on 01/23/2009

My question to the people of Illinois is:
Was he telling the truth about the 700 accounts that are suppose to have money in them?
Why are there 700 accounts?
Who the heck has access to these and is the money still there?

[bipolarbear]

03:12 PM on 01/23/2009

Fact is, we're overdue for raising taxes in this state. We've been operating with budget deficits since Ryan. Between the increased costs, and the massive corruption of both Ryan and Blago, there probably is no alternative than raising state taxes.

[rigormrtis]

07:01 PM on 01/23/2009

Maybe Cook Cty and Chicago should raise the tax rates also. because 10+ percent sales tax is not enough.

[wisewomcat]

02:47 PM on 01/23/2009

Wow, this guy has fallen off the deep end. At least I hope he fell...maybe he was always this crazy...

[livesimply]

01:59 PM on 01/23/2009

He kwazy.