Lt. Gov.: Blagojevich out by Lincoln's 200th birthday

[December 29, 2008]  CHICAGO (AP) -- The lieutenant governor of Illinois says he believes scandal-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich will be out of office in less than two months.

Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation" that he thinks Blagojevich will be impeached and convicted by Illinois lawmakers by Abraham Lincoln's bicentennial birthday celebration on Feb. 12.

Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on federal charges alleging he tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. The governor denies any wrongdoing and says he will fight the charges.

Quinn says he hasn't spoken to the governor in more than a year.

Quinn would become governor if Blagojevich leaves office. He says he would call a special election to fill Obama's seat.

[Associated Press]

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