Springfield, Ill. ? Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich doesn’t have many friends these days, particularly among the lawmakers who will decide whether to throw him out of office.

The vote to begin impeachment proceedings was unanimous. Former allies have fallen silent since his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges. Members of a special impeachment committee are uniformly negative in their comments and questions.

“Isn’t anyone here going to stand up for the governor?” Blagojevich attorney Ed Genson asked the committee last week.

The response was silence.

Blagojevich even has trouble finding support closer to home. His circle of aides and informal advisers has fallen apart due to arrests, resignations and the pressure of a federal investigation that dates back six years. His chief legislative ally is retiring next month.

There have been few details about what Blagojevich is doing behind closed doors at his Chicago office, other than signing a few bills and attempting to maintain an air of “business as usual.” His spokesman has said the governor is meeting with aides and staff about Illinois’ $2 billion-plus budget gap, but no one has provided details or stepped forward to confirm Blagojevich is even talking with anyone.

He spends the rest of time at home, save for a few visits to Genson’s office.

Blagojevich’s woeful situation leaves him immensely vulnerable to impeachment in the House and then conviction in the Senate.

Lawmakers can vote against him for any reason they want. They don’t have to follow rules of evidence or consider reasonable doubt. They could vote to throw him out of office simply because they don’t consider him fit to be governor.

That’s an easier vote to make if no one will stand up and defend him.