01.23.2009 2:41 pm
Blagojevich press conference ends - what was the point?
Post-Dispatch Springfield Bureau
Blagojevich fields questions at his presser in Chicago today
He didn’t really say anything new, but he said it in a national forum, with a huge television audience.
He cited all kinds of high-minded constitutional principles that don’t really apply to an impeachment trial and are unlikely to have any impact on the impeachment proceedings - but might well appeal to an audience of regular people.
Was the goal here to get his argument out there and hopefully impress future jurors in his eventual criminal trial? It’s about the only point I see to it.
He DOES have a presumption of innocence and the right to call witnesses in a criminal trial. So far as I know, that’s his big objection here. But unless he can get a jury comprised entirely of relatives of Roland Burris, I don’t see how he can be acquitted.
The only point I can see is to show he’s bug-nuts crazy. But hey, the voters of Illinois elected him. Twice. The Illinois legistlature is going to have to find a better justification for getting him out of office than they just don’t like him. Remember, he still hasn’t been indicted, much less convicted, of doing anything.
I am seeing Governor Blagojevich as a “Baghdad Bob” type figure. He has some good points, but he is definitely out there.
I am finding it to be great entertainment and am rooting for him to survive the impeachment.