Blago had the best opportunity, but was disingenuous in his

[Still Sensible]

argument that the Senate didn't let him call witnesses. The truth is, he didn't need to call any witnesses he just needed to testify and refute the charges:

He had the opportunity to "testify" in his own defense but that would subject him to questions he cannot plausibly answer. Had he testified, the senators could have cross examined.

If he could have plausibly answered the key questions, he would have spent his media tour explaining each of those taped statements in context so everybody would understand why he is not guilty of the charges. He would have testified and welcomed the Senate's questions so he could refute these scurrilous charges. Instead, he used his incredible media tour to lambaste the process and showed up to make his unchallengeable statement.

He could have explained how the fact that he was demanding money or an ambassadorship before selecting a senate replacement has been misinterpreted?

He could have explained how his actions to try and "deallocate" funds for a hospital because he hadn't yet received a promised influx of cash could be explained. Or put that part of the tape in a context that isn't reprehensible.

He didn't need any other witnesses to stand up like a man and answer those questions. The inability to bring witnesses (who he really just wanted to intimidate and get a bite of the apple before his Federal trial) are meaningless. He needed no additional witnesses to answer the KEY questions noted above.

He chose not to and now he's history... 59-0.

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. What happens when shitzerald says "oops, I don't have the goods on him afterall"

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. They cornered him

He couldn't make any statements. He got outfoxed in the middle of his very own game.

Illinois politicians - especially Chicago pols - play for keeps. Blago forgot that.

Fitzgerald is still gonna have a hell of a hard time putting together a case, although some of what Blago said on Rachel's show last night just might help the prosecution.

He has two young daughters. That's rough.

[WillowTree]

3. "He couldn't make any statements." HUH??

Even after running around New York for a week whining about how he couldn't call any witnesses (which was a bold-faced lie) and declaring that he wouldn't participate in the impeachment and Senate trial process because, in his mind, it was just so unfair, they still gave him an hour-and-a-half when he decided at the last minute that he wanted to do just that: make a statement. Did he try to make a case.......with actual facts this time.......that he never did what he's been accused of? No. Of course not. He just gave one more performance of his insane "Is giving elderly people free rides on the mass transit system a reason to impeach me?" schtick and whined about how he shouldn't be removed from office because his father was a working-class immigrant.

He could have called witnesses. And he could have testified on his own behalf. And it wouldn't have made any difference because he doesn't have any friends in Illinois anymore. And he did make the statement he wanted to make, and it only dug the hole that much deeper.

He's a delusional dirtbag. If he didn't have kids, I'd say I wish he'd wind up bussing tables in a greasy spoon eating establishment for the rest of his life. As it is, I just wish he'd go away.