Quinn Set to be Sworn in as Illinois Gov.

[tekisui]

Source: UPI

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 29 (UPI) --

Illinois Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn says he's ready to step in and replace Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Blagojevich faced possible conviction in the Illinois Senate following an impeachment trial -- a process he largely ignored until Thursday when he went before the body to deliver a closing argument.

I will be ready, Quinn told the Chicago Sun-Times before heading for Springfield.

Quinn said he had been careful not to be presumptuous as the state Legislature proceeded toward Blagojevich's expected removal from office.

Blagojevich boycotted the trial for three days, opting instead to argue his case on a variety of New York talk shows, professing his innocence, calling the impeachment trial unfair and complaining many of the statements attributed to him on recordings of his telephone conversations, made by federal agents, had been taken out of context.

Quinn was prepared to head with his mother, sons and supporters to the state House chamber and place his hand on a Bible while his longtime friend, Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, administers the oath of office, the Sun-Times said.

The attorney general has already made it crystal clear that under the law, if the Senate acts, then the governor is no longer the governor of Illinois, Quinn told the newspaper.

http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/41926.html

[MineralMan]

1. Well, it seems a foregone conclusion that the Senate

will convict, so it makes sense for him to be ready.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

2. Quinn's a decent guy but he seems to be taking a little too much schadenfreude in all this.

It doesn't suit him.

[madrchsod]

3. after all these years pat finally gets to have his day in the sun

oh well we have had worse, have`t we.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

7. Oh, HELL yeah we've had worse

And I'm fine with him, especially after Ryan and Blago.

[Libertyfirst]

4. Who' going to have pie on their face if Blagojevich 's trial never occurs or

he is not convicted. So far it is all basically hearsay and he was denied the opportunities of defend himself that trials permit.

[ieoeja]

5. Actually, the rules committee invited Blagojevich.

When they learned he was in the building, they sent him an invite to come down and participate in establishing the rules for the hearing.

Blagojevich refused.

Why, you ask? Simple. He's Blagojevich.

Blagojevich's last budget called for cutting retirement pay to retirees. When the legislature tried coming up with other means of addressing budget shortfalls, Blagojevich scheduled meeting after meeting with them. Over a nine month period he only showed up for one meeting. And at that meeting he reportedly walked in, told them what he wanted, then walked out. The legislatures didn't get to say a word before he left.

This is the way Blagojevich does things. The only way he would have participated in his hearing is if he got to make all the rules. Since he did not, he refused to partipate, except to show up today, give a speech, then leave. Again, his usual modus operandi.

[hfojvt]

6. I suppose people are gonna jump for joy when he gets there

Come on without, come on within.