Ahead of Trial, Blago Paints Himself as Victim

Rod Blagojevich addressed his public again today, warning the citizens of Illinois that if he goes down they are all in danger, the Chicago Tribune reports. Blago likened his Senate impeachment trial, which he will boycott when it starts Monday, to a “hanging” and “a gross violation of every constitutional principle that exists.” Then came the cautionary part: “If they can do this to a governor, they can do this to any citizen in Illinois.”

Well, not really—the trial is a legislative action, not a legal one. Blagojevich said the state senate won’t allow him to call witnesses; in fact, he missed the date to submit a list. On a radio show this morning, Blagojevich went on to raise a familiar specter. “This is about raising taxes,” he said. “It's all about getting rid of me to raise taxes on people.” Neither Blagojevich nor his lawyers will attend the trial; senators said that would speed it up. (More Rod Blagojevich stories.)