Blagojevich Arrested For Corruption
I think that just about everybody knew that he was corrupt, but the extent of corruption is just staggering.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper’s editorial board who had been critical of him fired.
A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.
Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that if “they’re not going to offer me anything of value I might as well take it.”
“I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain,” Blagojevich allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the seat was “a valuable thing - you just don’t give it away for nothing.”
The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.
Anyone want to start connecting dots?
Wait, a minute…I get it! Obama is corrupt!
Posted by scott on December 09, 2008 at 1350 hrs
What is amazing is that this guy thought he would never get caught. Everyone knew he was crooked before this and he still went right ahead business as usual. The election was only in early November so he obviously knew no boundaries.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1351 hrs
What is going to really give this story “legs” is that is has Obama’s name attached to it - not that Obama had anything to do with this, but no matter what, whoever was named to take Obama’s Senate seat, it would have been newsworthy, as opposed to someone taking a seat vacated due to a sex scandal or something. Former IL Governor Ryan (Republican) was also indicted on corruption charges - the average person probably doesn’t even know that. The “sticky factor” here is the association to Obama’s name (and possibly Jesse Jackson - supposedly he was taking a run at this Senate appointment too).
Sort of like how the mid-September economic events became the “sticky factor” (i.e, “failed Repubican deregulation policies, etc) in McCain’s candidacy and tilted to Obama’s benefit.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1358 hrs
Wow, talk about Obama’s linkage to this (albeit innocent) - look what Recess Supervisor picked out of the indictment - not for family entertaiment, so I’m just doing the link:
http://playgroundpolitics.blogspot.com/
I assume that “[the President-elect]” is referring to Obama.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1424 hrs
Why stop at George Ryan? Illinois has had two other governors, in addition to Ryan, serve time on felony charges after their terms ended. That whole state is a cesspool, and on both sides of the aisle.
I’m probably one of the most skeptical, cynical people out here when it comes to politicians. And I have to admit that even I was floored by how brazen and unapologetic Blagojevich sounds in this complaint. It’s one thing to want to appoint someone sympathetic to your views. It’s another thing to practically put a Senate seat up on your own private eBay.
And that said, it’s Illinois, so I don’t expect anything to ever get better. Blagojevich is the tip of a big bipartisan iceberg.
Posted by Recess Supervisor on December 09, 2008 at 1429 hrs
And they once said the Wisconsin was becoming like Illinois.
I’m sure some flat-lander heard that and said:“You think you’re corrupt? Well, check this out.”
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1441 hrs
This is not the Rod Blagojevich that I thought I knew.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1512 hrs
He’s out of the pokey already. Who says money doesn’t corrupt?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1528 hrs
I’m scared. Does this mean the end of “Open Road Tolling”?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1531 hrs
Nah the next Guv will just change the signs over all the toll lanes with his name on it…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1534 hrs
What is amazing is that this guy thought he would never get caught. Everyone knew he was crooked before this and he still went right ahead business as usual. The election was only in early November so he obviously knew no boundaries.
I think he didn’t believe there was anything to get caught doing wrong. That’s just the way it operates there.
New Mexico is just as bad, but it’s NM, so hardly anybody cares.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1605 hrs
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge in Chicago Robert Grant said he was asked by reporters when he first started the investigation “whether or not Illinois is the most corrupt state in the United States.”
“And I didn’t answer that question, yes or no, and I can’t answer that question today. I don’t have 49 other states to compare it with.But I can tell you one thing: If it isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, its certainly one hell of a competitor,” he said.
“In terms of my toughness, look, first of all, I come from Chicago,’’ the Illinois senator said. “And you know, politics in Chicago, as it was once said, is not tiddlywinks. It’s not beanbag. You know, it’s a tough town. - Barack Obama
Sure is ain’t it B.O. Hope you didn’t learn any of the “tough town” tricks from your fellow partymen
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1641 hrs
I think it’s kinda funny the Obama apologists are already working themselves into a tizzy about this. He probably had nothing to do with it, but you have to admit the possibility of a link is newsworthy.
On the other hand, I don’t know how anyone could be surprised there is corruption in Illinois government - on all levels and both ends of the political spectrum.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1644 hrs
Wait, Obama’s from Chicago, too?!?!?? zOMG!!!1 CORRUPTIONNNNNNNN!!!
The funny thing is if you read some of the transcripts from the investigation of this guy it becomes clear that Obama’s role is exactly this: he refused to play ball.
Posted by scott on December 09, 2008 at 1644 hrs
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1651 hrs
Belling has a link to the indictment on his site - the last section deals with the “Who Wants to be a U.S. Senator”
This guy is an idiot. IF I was the gov and I wanted to get something for the seat - there are certainly a lot more subtle ways to get your point across than this guy did. He needs to take some lessons from his cohort to the north. Diamond Jim has the routine down pat.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1703 hrs
That’s not true, Scott. According to Obama he never spoke to the governer about the issue.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1730 hrs
I looked at 10 articles posted at Real Clear Politics - 5 of them mention Obama in the headline, the rest mention him anywhere from 1st through 4th paragraph, and one doesn’t mention him at all. What difference does that make? Probably nothing - other than perception becomes reality. It would be kind of like the people who during the election said that electing McCain would be a third Bush term - I doubt that anyone here said that, but I know on the “outside” that was being said. So, conversely, I think some people might infer that electing Obama is like bringing Chicago-style politics to the White House - that whole “change” thing we heard about.
I like this part from Adamski’s link
On the Chicago TV show “Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz” on June 27, 2002, state Sen. Obama said, “Right now, my main focus is to make sure that we elect Rod Blagojevich as Governor, we…”
“You working hard for Rod?” interrupted Berkowitz.
“You betcha,” said Obama.
“Hot Rod?” asked the host.
“That’s exactly right,” Obama said.
Remember Obama’s ads showing Bush with his hand on McCain’s back? That whole “association” thing?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1743 hrs
Whether he spoke to him or not isn’t the issue. The point is that the governor himself said that he knew who Obama wanted in the senate seat but that since he, Obama, wasn’t going to offer up anything in return for it he, the governor, was going to appoint himself.
Posted by scott on December 09, 2008 at 1749 hrs
Any bets on whether Obama notified the authorities that Blago wanted to sell the seat?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1758 hrs
Bingo Tony Turner. Whether or not he spoke to the governer is entirely the issue, Scott.
If he did not speak to the governer he gets no grade.
If he spoke to the governer and turned him in, he gets an A.
If he spoke to the governer and didn’t turn him in, he gets an F and a scandal.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1804 hrs
I can’t parody this any further than you guys already have.
Posted by scott on December 09, 2008 at 1805 hrs
Oh, I don’t know, Scott. Don’t under estimate you ability to say things that are a joke.
(rib rib)
Sorry. It was just sitting there.
Posted by jimi on December 09, 2008 at 1835 hrs
I find it odd that Fitzpatrick pulled the plug on this so soon. Usually the Feds wait for the deal to go down so they can nab more corruptees. But for some reason this didn’t happen here.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1839 hrs
I find it odd that Fitzpatrick pulled the plug on this so soon.
I don’t. The Feds often pull the trigger when it looks like a leak is a done deal, or they’re going to catch too many or too big a fish. The FBI leaked the Abscam scheme when they found that the scam was catching too many Congresscritters.
Pulling the plug early means either they knew there were leaks, or they knew someone mighty high up was involved and they wanted to have leverage with the administration. Either there was soon to be a leak, or some agency in DC now has some serious leverage on the incoming administration. That’s the way the game is played there.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 1959 hrs
I can’t parody this any further than you guys already have.
I guess you just can’t trust those Muslims.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 2009 hrs
I want to know who “Senate Candidate 5” is. He/she apparenly has associates contact the Gov offering bribes for the appointment.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 09, 2008 at 2152 hrs
What I find amusing is the AP - again....
No where in that site does it mention that RB is a Democrat… nope no bias here….
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 0900 hrs
It doesn’t matter if he is libertarian - he needs to be in jail and striped of his office. Why isn’t the Illinois state legislature convening to get this guy out? It will put pressure on him to resign - which since he is a democrat - he won’t.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1005 hrs
Could there be someone from Illinois politics who’s “mighty high up” now?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1017 hrs
Why not wait to arrest Blagojevich until after he appointed some corrupt Senate candidate? They could have cleared a lot more crap out of Illinois then.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1024 hrs
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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1030 hrs
Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
You’d have to be dumb to believe this.
This doesn’t pass the sniff test.
Barack Obama is a guy who sends letters to Midwest Airlines sticking his nose in their business.
Barack Obama is a guy that said on a national interview that he is going to “throw his weight around” to get a college playoff system put in place.
And he wants us to believe he NEVER had conversations with Blago regarding HIS own senate seat?
Are you freaking kidding me? How stupid does Barry think we are?
But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different.
While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a “kingmaker,” Axelrod said, “I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”
“I know he’s talked to the governor”
You know, when someone mis-speaks you might issue a correction as soon as possible no?
Now a MONTH later when the shit hits the fan all of a sudden it was a ‘mis-speak’.
I’m making notes of anyone who lacks enough judgement to believe that crap because any reasonable person would admit this doesn’t pass the sniff test. Scott???
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1052 hrs
If he starts talking, the Illinois mob will shut him up…permanently.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1110 hrs
xxpilot - Scott has a genetic mutation to where his nose is physically incapable of smelling B.O.‘s shit.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1117 hrs
Actually I think Scott knows Barry is lying about not having conversations with Blago… But he doesn’t care. He’s a shill for Obama first off… And then:
See liberals are ALL about the “ends justifying the means”.
Things don’t have to make sense logically to a liberal, they have to make sense emotionally. If it feels ok, then its ok.
In other words. Since Obama is a liberal and he’s going to save the poor, institute government healthcare, and save the world from capitalism, all this other “stuff” is ok.
In fact… I doubt most democrats really have that much of a problem with Blago selling the seat to the highest bidder (since it would be going to a democrat) because the “good” done by that liberal would justify selling the seat. However, this is enough of a bombshell that most democrats will run from it for self-preservation, not from actual disgust.
In truth, looking at politics today… I’m not so sure that what Blago does is much different than what happens every day on the floor of the senate and house.
How many senate votes are “bought” with a promise of a favor or a promise of an earmark, or a promise of a vote for some other bill, a promise of a future favor that will lead to financial enrichment?
How many of Barry’s discussions with Hillary about cabinet positions involved discussion of GIVING MONEY to pay for campaign debt? How often do discussions between candidates dropping out of races involve promises of the remaining candidate giving them money? ALL the time.
See money is not the only currency in Washington. POWER is the currency of the day. And we’ve accepted the buying, selling, and barter of power for a long long time. Blago just finally attached an actual price tag to it. Maybe he’s an innovator?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1133 hrs
Scott said:
I can’t parody this any further than you guys already have.
And I don’t think we can parody this kind of stuff any better than the Democrats have:
It’s the Democrats’ turn to cope with scandals
Democrats have had success running against what they called a GOP ‘culture of corruption.’ Now the party hopes the political fallout from the Blagojevich case and others will be limited.
The arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich on Tuesday marked the latest in a series of scandals involving Democratic politicians—an ironic turn for a party that won control of Congress in 2006 in part by saying it would end a “culture of corruption” under Republican leadership.Article goes on to mention Rep. Charles Rangel (NY); Rep. William Jefferson (LA), & Gov. Eliot Spitzer (NY). But, “culture of corruption” is only applicable to Republicans, I guess.
I also like this “rationalization” from the Democrats:
But Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the committee responsible for helping elect Democrats to the House, said he thought the political damage would be limited to those engaged in wrongdoing because the party leadership had made ethics reform a priority.
My bolds. Talk about your parody! Get it? No hypocracy to look at here, keep on moving, the Democrats are at the forefront of ethics reform, this is nothing like miscreant Republicans, bask in the orgasmic glory of your Obama victory, pay your union dues (Blago probably isn’t the only politician who expects a favor returned, i.e., a nice fat-cat union business position).
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1226 hrs
Was Spitzer corrupt?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1410 hrs
I would not call Spitzer corupt in the sense of Chicago politics corupt. Morally corupt - yes. I think that the only reason that his name is brought up is because of the public black eye that he gives to the political party that runs on and is elected on the promise of cleaning up the political corruption.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 10, 2008 at 1424 hrs
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