Judgment Day

Blagojevich said I am here to give you my side of the story. How can you through out a governer from office on a criminal complaint when you haven't proven any criminal activity.
Please allow me bring in my witnesses and show you my innocence.
Speaking to CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine as he entered the Capitol, Blagojevich conceded that he was sad it might be the last time he was walking into the building.

"That's life, you know. You've got peaks and valleys, and there are ups and downs, and there are moments of triumph and there are moments of disappointment, and there are times when you experience great joy and there are times of great sadness," he said. "This is not at all unique to me, and I'm not giving up hope. I'm going to fight for the people of Illinois."

When the hearings resumed at 10 a.m., House prosecutor David Ellis began his hour-long closing argument. He said Blagojevich has proven "a pattern of abuse of power."

Ellis said Blagojevich saw President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat as a "golden goose, as a bargaining chip leveraged for his own future and political well-being." He quoted Blagojevich's alleged words on taped conversations outlined in a federal criminal complaint: "It's an f-ing valuable thing. You just don't give it away for nothing."

Blagojevich countered, saying that having an FBI agent verify the accuracy of the details in that criminal complaint during the trial does not prove anything.

Ellis also played wiretapped conversations between Blagojevich and lobbyist Lon Monk, who were talking about a campaign contribution from racetrack owner John Johnston in exchange for the governor's signature on a bill to aid the racing industry.

"Those four tapes [played at the trial] don't prove anything criminal,'' the governor said.

Ellis also addressed the allegations claiming that Blagojevich threatened to withhold funding to help the Tribune Company sell Wrigley Field unless Tribune editorial writers who opined against the governor were fired.

At 2 p.m., the Senate is expected to begin deliberations on whether to remove Blagojevich from office. If the governor is removed, which is likely, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will take over.