Transcript of Blagojevich's statement

The following is a transcript of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's statement Friday about the federal charges against him and calls for his resignation:

"Thank you very much.

I'm here to tell you right off the bat that I'm not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. That I intend to stay on the job and I will fight this thing every step of the way.

I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong. And I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob.

Now that is what I'm going to do.

Let me tell what I'm not going to do.

I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing and that is talk about this case in 30 second sound bites on 'Meet The Press' or on the TV news.

Now I'm dying to answer these charges. I'm dying to show to you how innocent I am.

And I want to assure everyone who is here and everyone who is listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum, in a court of law. And when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated.

Rudyard Kipling wrote, 'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself, when all men doubt you and make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting; Or being lied about, don't deal in lies; Or being hated, don't give way to hate.'

Now I know there are some powerful forces aligned against me. It is kind of lonely right now.

But I have on my side the most powerful ally there is and it is the truth. And besides, I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong.

To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient, sit back and take a deep breath and please reserve judgment. Afford me the same rights that you and your children have: the presumption of innocence, the right to defend yourself, the right to your day in court. The same rights that you would expect for yourself.

And one last thing - to all of those, to those of you who have expressed your support to Patti and me during this difficult time, I would like to thank you for your thoughts. I would like to thank you for your prayers. I would like to thank you for your good wishes. Patti and I cannot express to you how grateful we are for your kindness.

Merry Christmas.

Happy holidays."