Blagojevich: 'I, Frankly, Am Stunned' by Verdict

A classic response from Rod Blagojevich following his conviction on 17 out of 20 charges yesterday: “I, frankly, am stunned,” he said outside the courtroom. But he has, at least, learned something from the experience, Politico reports: namely, that he should "try to speak a little bit less, so I’m going to keep my remarks kind of short. Patti and I are very disappointed in the outcome.” He added that they were headed home to "explain things" to their daughters.

Blago is now barred from leaving northern Illinois without permission from the court, the Chicago Tribune reports. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, who famously said that Blago's misdeeds would make Abe Lincoln "roll over in his grave," called the moment "bittersweet," and recalled the federal conviction of Blago's predecessor in 2006: “Five years ago, another jury sent another message that corruption in Illinois is not tolerable. Gov. Blagojevich did not get that message.” (More Blagojevich trial stories.)