Blago Wants Obama Aides to Testify in Impeachment

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s attorney wants the state’s impeachment panel to subpoena two of Barack Obama’s top aides, Politico reports. Ed Genson is not alleging that Rahm Emanuel and Valerie Jarrett did anything wrong, but rather that their testimony would help prove that Blagojevich’s taped conversations about filling Obama’s Senate seat involved much talk but no illegal action.

The 21-member panel meets again Monday, and there's no indication if Genson’s request will be honored. He also wants Jesse Jackson Jr. to be subpoenaed; both Jackson, a Democratic Congressman from Chicago, and Jarrett were reportedly on Obama’s short list of favorites for the seat. The impeachment proceedings are expected to last weeks. (More Rod Blagojevich stories.)