As a resident of Illinois and someone who voted for Rod Blagojevich, not once but twice, there are a couple of things that I need to get off my chest. First, I have to explain how this character became the governor of Illinois to begin with. Secondly, I have to clarify some of the reasons why I believe the man must be removed from office.

Why I Voted for Blago:

In order to understand how this slow-motion train wreck became the chief executive of Illinois, you must first understand what the political climate was like leading up to his election in 2002.  It must be known that whoever ran as a Democrat that year was going to get elected. Our previous Governor, George Ryan–current resident of a Wisconsin federal prison–all but assured that anyone but a Republican would win.

Again, in 2006 it was a toxic GOP that ensured Blago would retain power. His opponent that year was three-term Illinois State Treasurer and former head of the state’s GOP, Judy Barr Topinka. If you’re unfamiliar with Topinka, imagine Sarah Palin, but less likeable.

It was the Republican candidate in 2006 that allowed me to justify my vote for Blagojevich that year. As the head of the Illinois GOP, Judy Barr Topinka was responsible for running Alan Keyes against Barack Obama for the U.S. Senate in 2004. In her defense, nobody else wanted to run against Obama that year after the initial GOP candidate, Jack Ryan, was forced to withdrawl due to a sex-club scandal (stay classy, Illinois GOP). Regardless, I’ll never forgive Topinka for my having to endure Keyes’ rantings for the three months leading up to Obama’s election.

Why Blago Must Go:

In December, 2008, B-Rod was charged by U.S. Attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald, with, among other things, attempting to sell the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. Contrary to popular belief, this issue has very little to do with why he’ll be removed from office as early as this Thursday. More pertinent to Blago’s impeachment trial are issues pertaining to his willingness to ignore Illinois law during the performance of his duties as governor.

Illinois State Representative, Jack Franks (D-Woodstock, IL), is set to testify against Blago in the Illinois Senate. Franks explained to WGN TV this morning that his testimony pertains to two issues: The illegal importation and distribution of flu vaccinces and the governor’s “efficiency initiatives.” For Franks, the issue boils down to this:

“He’s violated state procurement laws, state ethics acts, he’s gone around the legislature. … He doesn’t care what the law is, he’s going to do it anyway. … It’s obvious that the Governor can no longer lead this state. …”

Franks also refutes Blago’s much publicized claims that “the fix is in,” in regards to his impeachment trial. Franks reasons, rightly in my opinion, that the embattled governor has gone on his media blitz in an effort to sway national attention away from the fact that, if he were to participate in his trial, his statements would later be used against him when his federal criminal charges come to the fore.

As the issue has received much national attention as of late, I’ve come to regret my votes for him, regardless of the political circumstances described above.  His public efforts to paint the impeachment process as unfair are nothing more than an effort to garner sympathy which is totally undeserved. So when you hear Blago proclaim that his actions are on behalf of those who voted for him, he’s not speaking for me!

I’d love to know what you think: Is Blagojevich being treated unfairly, or is he getting what’s coming to him?