Is impeachment trial moving too fast?
SPRINGFIELD -- The bipartisan spirit that has guided Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial in the Illinois Senate to this point showed signs of cracking Wednesday as Republicans took time to confirm every allegation in the House impeachment report while Democrats complained GOP members are dragging out the process.
Republican senators spent an hour peppering witness state Rep. Chapin Rose with dozens of questions concerning the role Blagojevich pal Tony Rezko played shaping policy on the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board. Most questioners didn't demand new information from Rose but merely asked the Mahomet Republican to confirm facts already in the record.
Nevertheless, Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, insisted it was important to take as long as necessary.
"I don't know who has a got a cruise or vacation to go to, but we ought to take our time and methodically go through," Dillard said. "We should not be trying to speed this along."
Dillard said Republican senators wanted to ask questions because they were not present during the House investigation.
"What's the hurry? I'll sit here on Super Bowl Sunday if I have to, to make sure the governor of this great state of Illinois gets a fair trial."
Democrats asked Rose no questions.
Senate President John J. Cullerton was clearly frustrated when Republican leader Christine Radogno of Lemont asked for 45 minutes to devise questions almost immediately after the impeachment tribunal began Wednesday. Rose testified Tuesday afternoon and was brought back Wednesday morning so questions could begin immediately. Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald allowed a 30 minute break.
During the recess, Cullerton lashed out at Blagojevich, accusing the governor of lying about the trial during his recent television blitz in which the embattled governor has repeatedly called the process unfair.
"He is not telling the truth about what is going on," Cullerton said.
The Chicago Democrat said Blagojevich should come to Springfield and answer questions from senators, "instead of hiding out in New York and having Larry King ask him questions," Cullerton said.
Blagojevich and his attorneys are boycotting the trial. Two empty chairs in the front row of the Senate are reserved for them should they ever choose to attend.
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.ilga.gov/senate/audvid.asp">State video stream of the impeachment trial</a></li> <li><a href="http://video.ap.org/?pid=R9msqOsYZ2TmkWttgWjBgV72_tYSs_Oh&f=ILARL">AP stream of impeachment trial</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/packages/2008/blagojevich/">Daily Herald's complete coverage of the impeachment</a></li> </ul> <h2>Audio</h2> <ul class="audio"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=4&type=audio&item=35">Blagojevich Tape 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=4&type=audio&item=36">Blagojevich Tape 2 </a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=4&type=audio&item=37">Blagojevich Tape 3 </a></li> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=4&type=audio&item=38">Blagojevich Tape 4 </a></li> </ul> <h2>Related documents</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="/pdf/tape 1.pdf">Transcript of tape 1 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tape 2.pdf">Transcript of tape 2 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tape 3.pdf">Transcript of tape 3 </a></li> <li><a href="/pdf/tape 4.pdf">Transcript of tape 4 </a></li> </ul> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/1315">Blog: Impeachment Day 3 <span class="date">[01/28/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>