“I've got this thing and it's [expletive] golden, and... I'm just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing.”

- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, in a wiretapped phone conversation discussing accepting money in exchange for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama

“This is a sad day for government.  It's a very sad day for Illinois government. Governor Blagojevich has taken us to a truly new low.”

- U. S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald, talking about corruption charges against Gov. Blagojevich