SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod Blagojevich is defending his use of the phrase “testicular virility” to describe his ability to make tough decisions.

The remark prompted both laughter and complaints that it was sexist and an undignified thing for a governor to say.

But Blagojevich called such objections “complete baloney.”

“I think the people understand that means: Do you have the fortitude – if you’re a man or a woman in leadership – to put the people first?” he said Wednesday. “It’s all about having the fortitude to fight for the people.” Blagojevich made the remark Monday in explaining his decision to temporarily close a landfill run by a distant relative of his wife.

“This is the kind of thing that I think frankly separates the men from the boys in leadership. Do you have the testicular virility to make a decision like that, knowing what’s coming you’re way?” Blagojevich said then. “I say I do.”