'I Will Fight,' Illinois Governor Vows

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Blagojevich: 'I Have Done Nothing Wrong'

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich spoke publicly Friday for the first time about his arrest on federal corruption charges, asserting his innocence and plans to defend himself against the charges in court.

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One of Blagojevich's attorneys, Sam Adam Jr., told reporters that the governor needs time to measure his own effectiveness. Adam said without elaboration, "If the people of Illinois are suffering, he will step aside."

Blagojevich has lived at the heart of a made-for-TV drama since the head of the Chicago FBI office woke him up Dec. 9 to say agents were outside his door, waiting to arrest him before his two young daughters awakened.

A 76-page affidavit recounted secretly taped conversations of the two-term governor vowing to profit from the appointment to Obama's seat and the awarding of state business.

In one case, investigators contend Blagojevich demanded a $50,000 campaign contribution from a children's hospital executive in return for the governor delivering a state reimbursement of $8 million in doctors' fees. In another, Blagojevich was charged with a felony for allegedly demanding that the Chicago Tribune fire editorial writers who had been critical of him. As leverage, he controlled access to state aid worth more than $100 million to the Tribune Co. in the sale of Wrigley Field.

Blagojevich said on Friday: "Now I know there are some powerful forces against me. It's kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it's the truth."

State Sen. Matt Murphy (R) scoffed, saying, "Anybody who knows the governor knows his relationship with the truth ended a long time ago."

"We heard 'Fight, fight, fight' instead of 'Resign, resign, resign,' " said Murphy, who sounded a familiar GOP theme in urging lawmakers to schedule a special election to be completed by April 7.

Earlier this week, Democrats considered and shelved such a plan, adjourning for the year without taking action. Lawmakers said they were wary of losing the contest, worried about its cost and uncomfortable about changing an otherwise workable law.

Another factor is whether Blagojevich would sign the bill, veto it or sit on it as he continued to defend himself.

The governor promised to answer every allegation, "and when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated."