The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Chicago

The movement to impeach Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is picking up steam almost by the hour, with voters and lawmakers alike demanding his ouster as the scandal-plagued politician boldly hangs on to power.

The lieutenant governor joined a bevy of lawmakers Thursday in demanding that Blagojevich be impeached, saying he has become an embarrassment to the state and can no longer lead. His approval rating plummeted to a shockingly low 8 percent.

"When you have no confidence from the people, in a democracy there's nowhere else to go but to resign," Lt. Pat Quinn said. The impeachment push was part of a riveting political drama that extended from Illinois to Washington and drew President-elect Barack Obama into the fold. He made his first public comments about the scandal on Thursday, calling charges that Blagojevich put Obama's U.S. Senate seat up for sale appalling and saying neither he nor his aides had any involvement in the governor's alleged scheming.

Blagojevich seems to be in no hurry to leave office. The besieged Democratic governor spent a third day ignoring demands that he quit, showing up to work and dealing with legislative business.

He left his home in the morning, kissed his wife and kids goodbye and rode to his office in downtown Chicago in a black SUV. He spent the day reviewing bills and dealing with budget issues in front of a bust of Abraham Lincoln and an American flag.

Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero described the governor's mood as "upbeat" and "positive" and said "there's a sense of trying to return to normalcy." He said he knew of no decision about Blagojevich's political future or what the governor might do with Obama's seat.