Choice Words From Gov. Blagojevich

January 2005: "The family is fine. We're all good. We all love one another, but that's all I'm going to say about private, family issues in a public setting. I was hired to be governor of Illinois. The people of Illinois don't want me to be engaged in some kind of a family soap opera."
-- On family drama instigated when Blagojevich's father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Richard Mell, accused the Blagojevich administration of hiring for political jobs based on campaign donations after the governor elected to shut down a landfill run by family member.

In this file photo, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich calls for a special legislative session to deal...

In this file photo, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich calls for a special legislative session to deal with Illinois' state budget during a press conference at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. Since becoming governor in 2003, Blagojevich -- who was arrested on Dec. 9 for allegedly trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama -- has made his fair share of surprising remarks.

(Seth Perlman/AP Photo )

February 2005: "The governor will no doubt continue to disappoint Mr. [Dominic] Longo in his various requests for employment and favors."
-- A statement from Blagojevich's office regarding a political worker once convicted of vote fraud who threatened to sue the Blagojevich administration for defamation.

May 2005: "Do you have the testicular virility to make a decision like that, knowing what's coming your way and then stick to it, which is what I did, and knowing all of this that we're dealing with now is what we have to deal with? I say I do."
-- On his decision to go up against his father-in-law amid escalating family tension.

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May 2005: "It does kind of remind me of that old Frank Sinatra song, 'That's Life.' 'That's what all the people say -- you're riding high in April, you're shot down in May.' This goes with the territory -- the ups and downs in the business."

November 2005: "We have worked hard to make neighborhoods safe and keep criminals off our streets. This year, I am proud to say, we signed several important pieces of legislation to keep our communities even safer."
-- A letter the Blagojevich administration asked parole agencies to hand out. The move was criticized by some who said it appeared the governor was having state employees do his PR.

March 2006: "As I said before, I was very strong in my condemnation of what [Nation of Islam leader Louis] Farrakhan said. ... It was hateful and anti-Semitic, and I condemned that. But I don't agree, I don't believe in guilt by association."
-- Standing by his decision to retain a state panel appointee after five members of a state hate crimes panel resigned over controversy surrounding the Nation of Islam member.

Sept. 2006: "Their families are extremely close, and like most close friends, they have exchanged gifts over the years."
-- A statement from the governor's office addressing questions about a $1,500 birthday check that Blagojevich's daughter received from a newly hired state employee.