Blagojevich asks newspapers for help with trial

At least two Illinois newspapers' editorial boards have responded negatively to Gov. Rod Blagojevich's request for papers to urge the state Senate to change the rules of his impeachment trial.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register published a story on its Web site Friday calling Blagojevich's request a "sham filled with distortions and outright lies."

And the Chicago Sun-Times published an editorial on its site Friday titled "Gov's plea: Save me. We say: Save yourself."

Blagojevich wants the trial's rules changed so he can call any witness he'd like. Senators, however, have said they won't allow any testimony that might interfere with the criminal investigation against the governor.

Federal authorities say Blagojevich pressured the Chicago Tribune to fire editorial writers who'd been critical of him.