The thing is this and why it is such a weak case is because there is no other defendant. In order for Governor Blagojevich to be found guilty of the charges (which haven't made it to indictment yet) proposed by Fitzgerald there has to have been an 'offer' to exchange an appointment for personal gain. In lacking 'ANOTHER' in this case, there is a clear indication there was no 'solid' offer to anyone.
Fitzgerald can listen to all the phone calls and take testimony all he wants, but, without a solid commitment to actually carry out a crime, there is NO basis for conviction. There is no other defendant that was ready to 'close the deal' on the 'purchased nomination' to the vacated Senate seat, so therefore there is no case.
The fact that others were very close to receiving the appointment, but, were never approached for 'favors' only proves that where ambition existed for an Illinois Governor in moving to Washington, DC; there was no actual bargaining that existed and all this mess is simply 'gaming and talk.'
At the end of the day, the Illinois Legislature will find itself in a sorry state come next election then it was before they attempted to play politics for THEIR personal gain.
Oh, yeah, the conspiracy 'thing.' What conspiracy? The conversation between Governor Blagojevich and his administrative assistant? That's a conspiracy? No, it isn't. A conspiracy is when there is 'another' to receive services. There was never 'another' to carry out the crime. It is all unfortunate that people don't put their Constitutional Rights first and value them above all else. Oh, well.
The Illinois governor says he'll continue to fight charges. His trial in the state Senate is to start Jan. 26.
Speaker of the House Michael Madigan presides over the Illinois House of Representatives as they discuss a resolution to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich today in Springfield, Illinois. The House approved the resolution to impeach 114-1 with one member voting present.
