Blagojevich: "I Am Not Guilty Of Any Criminal Wrongdoing"

A defiant Gov. Rod Blagojevich told reporters this afternoon that he will fight the charges against him, asserting that he is guilty of nothing and assuring voters he will not quit his job despite the "political lynch mob" out to get him.

"I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," he said, adding "that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong, and I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob."

Wearing a suit, crisp white shirt and deep blue tie, Blagojevich, in his first official remarks since being arrested on corruption charges last week, said during a two-and-a-half minute press conference in Chicago that he is certain he will "be vindicated." And he criticized -- though not by name -- those advocating for his ouster.

"Let me tell you what I'm not going to do," he said. "I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing and that's talk about this case in 30-second soundbites on 'Meet the Press' or on the TV news. Now, I'm dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who's here and everyone who's listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum in a court of law. And when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated."

Appearing to have memorized his statement, Blagojevich recited Rudyard Kipling's "If" by memory:

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

Don't give way to hate.

He added: "Now, I know there are some powerful forces allied against me. it's kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally. And it's the truth. And besides I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong."

Blagojevich asked his constituents to allow the judicial system to take its course.

"To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient, sit back and take a deep breath and please reserve judgment," he said. "Afford me the same rights that you and your children have. Presumption of innocence. The right to defend yourself. The right to your day in court. The same rights that people would expect for yourselves."

Blagojevich thanked those who have prayed for him and his family before wishing viewers a "Merry Christmas, happy holidays."

He did not take questions.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)