SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich's lawyer spent more than an hour Monday trying to convince a House panel there's not enough evidence to impeach the governor.

Attorney Edward Genson said his client's transgressions were "unfortunate," but do not rise to the level of him getting kicked out of office.

"They have not proven impeachable conduct," Genson said.

In the end, however, Genson found few takers among the 21 members of the committee.

"Is anybody going to stand up for the governor?" Genson asked.

No one did.

Meeting for the fifth time since Blagojevich's Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges, the panel had hoped to wrap up its work Monday.

But, the inquiry is now on hold for at least another week while members await the results of a court decision that could result in the release of secret tape recordings of Blagojevich that form the bedrock of his federal criminal case, as well as the impeachment hearings.

Among other things, prosecutors say the recordings show Blagojevich scheming to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat for cash or a higher paying job.

If released, it would be first public airing of those often expletive-laden conversations. A hearing is set for Monday, Jan. 5.

The committee also has been collecting testimony about Blagojevich's performance as governor, including allegations he ignored state laws when attempting to implement an expansion of health insurance.

Genson said much of the evidence being considered by the committee is based on "innuendo" and that the governor's conduct does not rise to the level of impeachment.

As evidence, he submitted President-elect Barack Obama's internal report on contacts with the governor to the panel.

The report says none of Obama's advisors had any inappropriate discussions with Blagojevich.

The report notes that Obama's chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, had one or two direct conversations with the governor, but that those talks were inconsequential and did not delve into any of the accusations outlined by federal prosecutors.

Genson contends the governor has been forced to fight "shadows" because he didn't actually carry out any of the schemes he discussed on the tapes.

"The fact is, nothing happened," Genson said. "It's just talk, unfortunate talk, but not actions. He was just jabbering."

Committee members were not convinced.

"It's not chatter. It's not jabber. It's far worse than that," said state Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.

Although Genson downplayed evidence heard by members thus far, most agreed they'd heard enough to decide whether Blagojevich's actions warrant impeachment.

"I think we've had a sufficient amount of evidence at this time," said state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.

Once the committee completes hearing evidence, members will craft a report to the full House, which would then vote whether or not to impeach the 52-year-old Chicago Democrat.

If the House impeaches him, a trial would be held in the Senate to determine whether he should be ousted from office.

State Rep. Gary Hannig, D-Litchfield, said Blagojevich has already been convicted in the court of public opinion.

"I think a lot people have already made up their minds," Hannig said.

House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who is chairing the panel, credited Genson with doing a good job as a defense lawyer, but said his arguments weren't convincing.

"He was throwing up whatever fairy dust he could," Currie said.