Corruption, Scandal | featured news

Gov. Blagojevich's media blitz might make him feel better about his case, but all those recent high-profile interviews are likely to come back to bite him in a big way, experienced defense lawyers say.

Impeachment proceedings against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich begin today in the state Senate, but the embattled governor is skipping the trial and instead appearing on TV. On ABC's "Good Morning America," Blagojevich said he considered Oprah Winfrey for President Obama's Senate replacement.

The new Illinois House has voted 117-1 to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich with his sister-in-law as the lone "no" vote. Rep. Deborah Mell voted Wednesday not to impeach the two-term governor. Her sister is married to Blagojevich. Wednesday's House action reaffirms the previous impeachment vote. Illinois House Speaker spokesman Steve Brown says the second impeachment vote was needed because of the upcoming Senate trial on whether to remove Blagojevich from office.