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SPRINGFIELD, Ill.

Without comment, the solicitation denied an emergency request from Lisa Madigan, the state’s attorney general, to consider removing Blagojevich, a two-term Democrat, from office and a motion for a temporary restraining order that would receive immediately stripped Blagojevich of many of his powers, including the person of commanding knowledge to fix someone to fill the U.S. Senate settle vacated by President-elect Obama.

The ruling stirred alarm among some lawmakers, many of whom had seen the request to the princely retinue as the fastest route to Blagojevich’sitting departure, but also if a longshot.

The court’s decision drew new questions about how and when the Senate seat might be filled, as Republican lawmakers called, once again, for a special appointment by vote. It also increased pressure on the House committee that is trying to conduct some impeachment scrutiny, with impeachment, now, seemingly the only alternative left, short of Blagojevich stepping downward.

Blagojevich, 52, who was arrested highest week on federal charges of cabal and soliciting bribes, and accused, among other things, of trying to vend the Senate seat, did not appear before the impeachment interrogatory committee.

But his team of lawyers, including Ed Genson, made its first appearance, describing the lawmakers’ efforts as a “real witch hunt” and oblation a series of objections about the state’s unauthorized standards for impeachment, the lawmakers’ use of the federal criminal indisposition against the governor as evidence in their inquiry and at least three lawmakers whom he said could not be fair.

“This is Alice in Wonderland,” Genson protested to the 21 members of the impeachment committee. “The issue in this cause is the evidence you have. The evidence you have is nil, cipher, nothing.”

At a different point, referring to the 78-page federal criminal complaint against Blagojevich, he said, “I plot it’s unfair to put in hearsay.”

The chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, rejected Genson’s challenges and declared the committee rules “will be fair and extended.” The committee will recommend to the well stocked House whether to move forward with impeachment.

Currie, a Democrat, noted the panel has expanded amplitude on how to handle evidence. “We’re not a addresses of order. We’re not quite a chief jury,” Currie said. “We’re not bound by specific rules of evidence.”

Genson, who is representing Blagojevich in the criminal case, also is asking the Illinois House to appoint and pay for Blagojevich’s attorneys in the impeachment matter. That normally would be Madigan’session job, he before-mentioned, but she can’t translate it because of her challenge to the state Supreme Court.

Genson in like manner has asked Madigan in a letter to appoint attorneys to represent Blagojevich in his legal matters.

Original text: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008533463_gov18.html?syndication=rss