Blagojevich: House vote 'not a surprise'

CHICAGO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- The Illinois House vote to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich didn't' surprise the embattled governor who said Friday's action has been percolating for a while.

"The House's action today was not a surprise," a defiant Blagojevich said in Chicago, reacting to the 114-1 vote and reiterating his innocence. "It happened kind of fast. But, again, (it was) kind of expected."

The House Special Investigative Committee voted 21-0 Thursday to accuse Blagojevich of a series of alleged efforts to secure personal gain or campaign contributions in exchange for official acts. Among the acts were his alleged effort to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder and alleged demands that the Chicago Tribune fire members of its editorial board in exchange for state assistance in the sale of the Chicago Cubs. The committee also cited his multimillion-dollar purchase of flu vaccine that federal officials would not allow into the country and his expansion of a state health insurance program despite the Legislature's opposition.

Blagojevich addressed some of the articles of impeachment, healthcare-related causes from his to efforts to expand a prescription drug program for senior citizens, and a breast- and cervical-cancer exam efforts for uninsured women.

"So the House's action today and the causes of the impeachment are because I've done things to fight for families" some of whom were on state with him, he said. The governor vowed to "fight this every step of the way," saying, "I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing."

He nudged the House for its inaction on a foreclosure relief bill already passed by the state Senate.

"I would suggest that while they're busy trying to throw me out of office, they may actually want to stop families from being thrown out of their homes," he said.