Illinois Governor Arrested by Feds

[California Joe]

Governor Blagojevich and top aide arrested on corruption charges.

This asshole was soliciting bribes to name Obamas successor in the Senate.

He already knew he was under investigation. And they apparently have him on tape.

What a complete tool.

[I can't think of a name]

This is related to Rezko, the original investigation. Word was a few months ago that Rezko already was uncomfortable in Jail and started to give information to Fitzgerald the federal prosecutor. Belgovich is a big Obama supporter. This is a whole new thing while he is already being watched

[ronnieraygun]

This is related to Rezko, the original investigation. Word was a few months ago that Rezko already was uncomfortable in Jail and started to give information to Fitzgerald the federal prosecutor. Belgovich is a big Obama supporter. This is a whole new thing while he is already being watched

Everyone knew for at least the past several months Blagojevich would be indicted for something. The question was what, exactly. Now this...

[Caper]

No wonder he was putting on such a performance yesterday with the Bank of America thing. Stocking up on public support for what is going to come down.

[ronnieraygun]

No wonder he was putting on such a performance yesterday with the Bank of America thing. Stocking up on public support for what is going to come down.

x2. I heard the sound bite last night and I figure the timing was strange. He was going off about how taping conversations was dirty pool or some crap - he must have known something already.

That's two governors in a row from my home state. Damn.

[RICHICOQUI]

Some details on this http://cbs2chicago.com/local/rod.blagojevich.charged.2.883170.html

[CPLHUNTER]

Didn't Obama endorse this loser?

[Caper]

This is related to Rezko, the original investigation. Word was a few months ago that Rezko already was uncomfortable in Jail and started to give information to Fitzgerald the federal prosecutor. Belgovich is a big Obama supporter. This is a whole new thing while he is already being watched

Wow. Getting dinged for one thing while being watched for another. All he needs is an escort and an airport washroom and he will have the trifecta.

It will be interesting to see the details around the original wiretap or recordings. I would argue that his defense attorney will be honing in on that pretty quick.

[ronnieraygun]

(CNN) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in federal custody on corruption charges, a law enforcement official said Tuesday.

Rod Blagojevich is currently serving his second term as governor of Illinois.


http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/2.0/mosaic/base_skins/baseplate/corner_wire_BL.gif



Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois.
Both men are expected in U.S. District Court in Chicago later Tuesday.
A news conference is expected at noon ET.
Federal prosecutors say Blagojevich, Harris and others conspired to gain financial benefits in appointing President-elect Barack Obama's Senate replacement, according to the statement.
"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement. "They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States Senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism."
According to the statement, Blagojevich is alleged to have discussed obtaining:

-a substantial salary for himself at either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;

-a spot for his wife on paid corporate boards, where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;

-promises of campaign funds -- including cash up front;

-a Cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
The Obama transition team is aware that Blagojevich is in federal custody, but has no comment, according to a senior Democratic source.
The statement also alleges that Blagojevich and others tried to illegally obtain campaign contributions.
Blagojevich, Harris and others are also alleged to have withheld state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field. The statement says this was done to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members who were critical of Blagojevich.
Blagojevich, who turns 52 on Wednesday, is in his second four-year term as Illinois governor. His term ends in January 2011.
Before being elected governor, he served as a U.S. congressman for Illinois' 5th district from 1997 until 2003, according to his online biography. He and his wife, Patti, have two daughters.
Blagojevich announced last month that he was forming a panel to review candidates to fill Obama's Senate seat.
Several Illinois Democrats -- including Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, a former congressional candidate who now serves in Blagojevich's administration -- have been mentioned as possible Senate replacements for Obama.
................

[LineDoggie]

I keep hearing Sean Connery-

"Thats the Chicago Way"

[1911-a1]

I keep hearing Sean Connery-

"Thats the Chicago Way"

Im sitting and saying that for myself now :D
Also, this dude was very anti-gun, no?

[Jobu]

Everyone in Illinois knew Blago would be indicted, it was just a matter of when.
Before the election would have been nice so everybody could see the kind of corruption Obama had been party to in Chicago and Springfield. But then again Rezko's deep ties to Obama were buried by the press, it's likely they would have ignored his ties to Blagojevich as well. Obama's ties to corruption were not part of the narrative. The truth would have interfered with the great story we were all being told.

Blago had been under federal investigation almost since the day he got into office and he knew the heat was coming down on him so he was looking for a payday/parachute to make a soft landing. He didn't expect the indictment to come until next year which is why he planned to resign in January. Too late.

[ronnieraygun]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y284/fullmulletalchemist/nelson_ha_ha.jpg

[gaijinsamurai]

Before the election would have been nice so everybody could see the kind of corruption Obama had been party to in Chicago and Springfield. But then again Rezko's deep ties to Obama were buried by the press, it's likely they would have ignored his ties to Blagojevich as well. Obama's ties to corruption were not part of the narrative. The truth would have interfered with the great story we were all being told.

.

Hey, the troll climbed out of his hole!!!!

I figured you'd sniff this thread out, and somehow try to find a way to make it sound like it was Obama's fault. Oops! I mean Barak HUSSEIN Obama!

[Jobu]

Hey, the troll climbed out of his hole!!!!

I figured you'd sniff this thread out, and somehow try to find a way to make it sound like it was Obama's fault. Oops! I mean Barak HUSSEIN Obama!

Obama's fault? Nope, just pointing out the connections.

Try again.

I survived President Carter, I can survive President Hussein.

[ronnieraygun]

^^Jeez dude, the point kinda stands, though - the news is about Blagojevich. Damnit. It is not about Obama. I implore anyone posting in the thread to please refrain from talking about Obama.

If the rest of you guys think you're super sleuth detectives out to crack the great mystery case of Obama, just save it for another thread, please.

[California Joe]

Frankly, if I was Obama I would have come down on this clown like a hammer for trying to pimp the vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder.

[Jobu]

Corruption does not happen in a vacuum. It's perfectly fair to mention how our next president is tied to these people. But I guess we're supposed to pretend that he magically avoided it all as if you could make your political career alongside these guys but come out clean.

Blagojevich, Rezko, Giannoulias, Obama, etc. They're all part of the same machine and basically grew up attached at the hip politically. They all held fundraisers for each other, mutual endorsements, business deals, etc.

Sorry sorry if it hurts your feelings but Obama is very much a part of this story.

[ronnieraygun]

Frankly, if I was Obama I would have come down on this clown like a hammer for trying to pimp the vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder.

-Having suspended the disbelief, I could not think Blago was really that stupid. To do something like this while you know they're already watching you? Wow. His name will be unmentionable like Betelgeuse or something for politicians in the near future, including the one guy who will be in the White House in a few weeks.

So that makes Ryan, who is in the clink, and now Blagojevich, who would be the second Illinois governor in a row to go directly to jail, not collect 200 bones and not pass go. After two in a row, I hope Illinois get its collective **** together and puts in the one Illinois politician from downstate they can find that has a shred of integrity.

[gaijinsamurai]

Anyways, i'm glad the corrupt bastard got caught.

Don't drop the soap!

[2Sheds_Jackson]

One always has to wonder what beans will be spilled when these guys try to cut a deal.

[ronnieraygun]

Corruption does not happen in a vacuum. It's perfectly fair to mention how our next president is tied to these people. But I guess we're supposed to pretend that he magically avoided it all as if you could make your political career alongside these guys but come out clean.

Blagojevich, Rezko, Giannoulias, Obama, etc. They're all part of the same machine and basically grew up attached at the hip politically. They all held fundraisers for each other, mutual endorsements, business deals, etc.

Sorry sorry if it hurts your feelings but Obama is very much a part of this story.

That's pretty snarky of you, Mr. Jobu. Don't patronize people. Of course Obama is made from the machine, you don't get out of Cook county without someone making you. Quit threadjacking with the AM radio bull****, that's all I'm asking. No one said anything about pretending Obama is lilly white (pardon the pun) - it's just that every 'freakin thread about politics has to get jacked into the All-Obama-All-The-Time-Channel. You're not helping matters and you're missing the point.

Besides, if you want to paint people in that corner, that we're all closet Obama apologists or whatever you're getting at, then you might do well to note that Obama was thought of as an outsider and a carpetbagger in Chicago for quite some time before he got into the Illinois legislature for a while.

[California Joe]

On the news they keep saying stuff like "He knew he was being watched", "I can't believe he was that stupid", "He was apparently repeating it to several people, on the phone and in person"..."He was attempting to secure a job making over 300 Grand a year as well as one for his wife"....

The guy lost his goddamned mind.

[ronnieraygun]

On the news they keep saying stuff like "He knew he was being watched", "I can't believe he was that stupid", "He was apparently repeating it to several people, on the phone and in person"..."He was attempting to secure a job making over 300 Grand a year as well as one for his wife"....

The guy lost his goddamned mind.

I made the mistake of bringing up state park closures before thanksgiving dinner this year. Let's just say that families of all political stripes LOATHE the governor. One thing is for certain, if you listen to sound bites since last summer or so, you can hear a certain stress level in the guy's voice - I think you're right that he must have gone bat**** crazy.

[Zoomie]

On the news they keep saying stuff like "He knew he was being watched", "I can't believe he was that stupid", "He was apparently repeating it to several people, on the phone and in person"..."He was attempting to secure a job making over 300 Grand a year as well as one for his wife"....

The guy lost his goddamned mind.
From the DOJ Press Release (http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2008/pr1209_01.pdf):


A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps
during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:
< a substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an
organization affiliated with labor unions;
< placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might
garner as much as $150,000 a year;
< promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and
< a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.
Just last week, on December 4, Blagojevich allegedly told an advisor that he might “get some (money) up front, maybe” from Senate Candidate 5, if he named Senate Candidate 5 to the Senate seat, to insure that Senate Candidate 5 kept a promise about raising money for Blagojevich if he ran for re-election. In a recorded conversation on October 31, Blagojevich claimed he was approached by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: “We were approached ‘pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator.”
On November 7, while talking on the phone about the Senate seat with Harris and an advisor, Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and that he is “financially” hurting, the affidavit states. Harris allegedly said that they were considering what would help the “financial security” of the Blagojevich family and what will keep Blagojevich “politically viable.” Blagojevich stated, “I want to make money,” adding later that he is interested in making $250,000 to $300,000 a year, the complaint alleges.

[ronnieraygun]

^^Thanks, Zoomie. That's pretty jacked up. This guy thought he was Tony Soprano or something. There will be plenty more news, too.

[NathS]

On the news they keep saying stuff like "He knew he was being watched", "I can't believe he was that stupid", "He was apparently repeating it to several people, on the phone and in person"..."He was attempting to secure a job making over 300 Grand a year as well as one for his wife"....

The guy lost his goddamned mind.

I bet that, knowing he was fvcked, he planned all of this in order to use diminished capacity as a mitigating factor p-)

[Alpheus]

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich, a Democrat, was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife.

Holy crap, they actually did it. They mentioned the "D" word in a corruption story!

[Cornerstone]

This guy thought he was fvckin untouchable or something, trying to get a job for his wife and him, thats pretty stupid, considering the job he is trying to fill and benefit from was that of the next president... ahahahahahaahahah (me yelling at ungrateful bastards who aren't content with six figure jobs i.e. governor of illinois)

[Andrew Chalmers]

The released taps are pretty hilarious if you can get past the corruption ;)


http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/blagojevich/ [press release from the US Attorney's office]

Blagojevich was trying to get Obama to give him something in exchange for nominating Obama's personal preference - but apparently "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them."

[Merfeller]

Hey, the troll climbed out of his hole!!!!

I figured you'd sniff this thread out, and somehow try to find a way to make it sound like it was Obama's fault. Oops! I mean Barak HUSSEIN Obama!

He could be a troll. Or he could just be a resident of Illinois. I just moved out of that ****hole. There's no such thing as a clean politician from Illinois. Not Chicagoland anyway.

[Martial]

This guy is as dumb as Gary Hart and OJ Simpson put together.

[Stainless Steel Rat]

I loved this line from the CNN item:


....including cash up front; and a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

I think we could use a new Ambassador in Thehran, don't you? p-)

Press on.

[Caper]

I wonder if any of the window factory workers who were at the the Gov's anti-Bank of America stage show yesterday are going to feel that his presence there was disingenuous.

Nothing like a decent shot of patronization on national tv to help tough times.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

It'll be interesting to see where the trail leads on the other side of the phone line...they mentioned labor unions etc.

[LineDoggie]

The term "Ran Amok" seems to fit him nicely.

[gaijinsamurai]

He could be a troll. Or he could just be a resident of Illinois. I just moved out of that ****hole. There's no such thing as a clean politician from Illinois. Not Chicagoland anyway.

I think he's just somebody who likes to hold others on this forum to higher standards than he holds himself. That, and seemingly turning just about every political discussion he can into an anti-Obama rant. I've got issues with the President-elect myself, but it gets old after a while.

[philbob]

Frankly, if I was Obama I would have come down on this clown like a hammer for trying to pimp the vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder.

hopefully he does from what i have seen sence the election he seems intrested in being a good president and not a black one so i hope they put this fat fvck away for a long time

[Aerosoul]

Illinois politics are so crooked. Have been for a long time, since Lincoln probably. Which means it must be his fault. If he hadn't freed the blacks then Obama wouldn't become President and there wouldn't be anyone trying to sell his Senate seat.

[ronnieraygun]

Illinois politics are so crooked. Have been for a long time, since Lincoln probably. Which means it must be his fault. If he hadn't freed the blacks then Obama wouldn't become President and there wouldn't be anyone trying to sell his Senate seat.

I think I'm laughing...One thing though, the state is acutely two places. One is Chicago and the surrounding counties which hold the suburbs. The other is the rest or "downstate" Illinois. The former is blue, urban, gun-restrictive and tax-happy. The latter is red, conservative, rural and pro-gun. If you talk enough politics to downstate folks they will reveal their desire to have two states, because they feel their tax dollars are flushed down the proverbial ****ter in Chicago.

So yeah, Illinois politics are crooked, but it's more of a Chicago thing than the rest of the state. Most recent governors got where they were with the blessing of the Chicago machine. IIRC when the state was closing down state parks because they were running out of money, Blagojevich was taking a helicopter from downstate Springfield (the capital) back to Chicago like every day. (You can take Amtrak instead and the service is funded by state dollars) :(

But yeah, they've got a long sordid history. For every Adlai Stevenson and Paul Simon there are many Dan Rostenkowskis, George Ryans, Rod Blagojevichs, Daleys, Operation Greylords, etc.

I think this particular brand of corruption most people trace back to the Irish in Chicago and how efficiently they set up machines not unlike Tammany Hall. It helped people get jobs and helped out a formerly disenfranchised ethnic group, but that's about it. Interestingly enough about the "two" states of Illinois is that the first lieutenant governor was French - at one time, there was a sizable French presence around St. Louis and southern parts of Illinois. But I'm a history buff so that's a digression...

I grew up there and can tell you nothing special will happen - it would be nice if the people down there would get so disgusted as to get more politicians with at least a shred of integrity, but it's not likely to happen, like you point out, it's always been that way.

I'll bet you guys a dollar to dog**** some Illinois celebritard goes all Al Franken and comes back and runs for office and wins. How about Jenny McCarthy for governor and Mike Ditka to replace Obama's senate seat?

[philbob]

So yeah, Illinois politics are crooked, but it's more of a Chicago thing than the rest of the state. Most recent governors got where they were with the blessing of the Chicago machine. IIRC when the state was closing down state parks because they were running out of money, Blagojevich was taking a helicopter from downstate Springfield (the capital) back to Chicago like every day. (You can take Amtrak instead and the service is funded by state dollars) :(






and people were butt hurt about Palin driving herself too work from Wasila :roll:

[ronnieraygun]

and people were butt hurt about Palin driving herself too work from Wasila :roll:


Blagojevich wasn't running for Vice President, either. Scrutiny is a bitch.

[Erik2a4]

Illinois politics are so crooked. Have been for a long time, since Lincoln probably. Which means it must be his fault. If he hadn't freed the blacks then Obama wouldn't become President and there wouldn't be anyone trying to sell his Senate seat.

Don't you mean ended slavery?

IIRC, Obama would have been eligible even if slavery still existed to this day since his father was from Africa and he was not descended of anyone in US slavery.

[akd]

That's pretty snarky of you, Mr. Jobu. Don't patronize people. Of course Obama is made from the machine, you don't get out of Cook county without someone making you. Quit threadjacking with the AM radio bull****, that's all I'm asking. No one said anything about pretending Obama is lilly white (pardon the pun) - it's just that every 'freakin thread about politics has to get jacked into the All-Obama-All-The-Time-Channel. You're not helping matters and you're missing the point.

Seriously, what ever happened to the All-Bush-All-The-Time-Channel politics threads?

[Aerosoul]

Don't you mean ended slavery?

IIRC, Obama would have been eligible even if slavery still existed to this day since his father was from Africa and he was not descended of anyone in US slavery.
Way to ruin the joke, ****.
:|

[Euroamerican]

I think I'm laughing...One thing though, the state is acutely two places. One is Chicago and the surrounding counties which hold the suburbs. The other is the rest or "downstate" Illinois. The former is blue, urban, gun-restrictive and tax-happy. The latter is red, conservative, rural and pro-gun. If you talk enough politics to downstate folks they will reveal their desire to have two states, because they feel their tax dollars are flushed down the proverbial

.... IIRC when the state was closing down state parks because they were running out of money, Blagojevich was taking a helicopter from downstate Springfield (the capital) back to Chicago like every day. (You can take Amtrak instead and the service is funded by state dollars) :(


QFT man.... Lived downstate for four years when I was a kid. The only thing remotely close to Chicagoan we had was a cable feed of WGN TV and WLS AM radio top 40 hits.

And also: A big Simpsons Ha ha...!

[Invisigoth]

So apparently, Senator Candidate 5 was Jesse Jackson Jr.. Family of crooks.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1321300,rod-blagojevich-illinois-governor-custody-120908.article


On Dec. 4, Blagojevich allegedly told an advisor that he might “get some (money) up front, maybe” from Senate Candidate 5, if he named Senate Candidate 5 to the Senate seat, to insure that Senate Candidate 5 kept a promise about raising money for Blagojevich if he ran for re-election. In a recorded conversation on Oct. 31, Blagojevich claimed he was approached by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: "We were approached to `pay to play.' That, you know, he'd raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."



http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/12/blago_indictment_who_is_senate.php


From the context, it's probably either Jesse Jackson. Jr. or (http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2008/12/09/selling-the-senate-seat/)Emil Jones, Jr.


"Later on December 4, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke to Fundraiser A. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated he was "elevating" Senate Candidate 5 on the list of candidates for the open Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated he might be able to cut a deal with
Senate Candidate 5 that provided ROD BLAGOJEVICH with something
"tangible up front." ROD BLAGOJEVICH noted he was going to meet with
Senate Candidate 5 in the next few days."

The only candidate with whom Blagojevich met within that period was Jesse Jackson, Jr.

[Erik2a4]

Way to ruin the joke, ****.
:|

Yup. p-)

On a different topic, Senator Jesse Jackson Jr. would be frightening.

[LineDoggie]

So apparently, Senator Candidate 5 was Jesse Jackson Jr.. Family of crooks.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/1321300,rod-blagojevich-illinois-governor-custody-120908.article





http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/12/blago_indictment_who_is_senate.php


So "Gotojailevich" is dragging others in with him?

[philbob]

Blagojevich wasn't running for Vice President, either. Scrutiny is a bitch.

Ambassador
Sect of health and human services
some board postion with a labor union....

From his list of demands he might as well of been

[philbob]

So "Gotojailevich" is dragging others in with him?


maybe just maybe the good guys will score a win and he will take this whole crooked bunch down with him

[Invisigoth]

So "Gotojailevich" is dragging others in with him?

I sure hope so, might as well go out in a blaze of glory? :roll:

[2Sheds_Jackson]

After watching this guy on TV for a full day now - there's one thing I want to know about. The hair. What's up with this guy's hair? I say it's a rug. A rug as crazy and overblown as this guy's personality. I'd pay real money to see it snatched off his head.

[LineDoggie]

After watching this guy on TV for a full day now - there's one thing I want to know about. The hair. What's up with this guy's hair? I say it's a rug. A rug as crazy and overblown as this guy's personality. I'd pay real money to see it snatched off his head.
There's more polyester in that guys toupe than James Browns Suits

[California Joe]

It's the Trent Lott school of political hair.

[I can't think of a name]

I hope he sings to the authorities. He does not look like the type that wants to spend time in jail. He also has no love for his adversaries.

[Zoomie]

******* cracks me up with their stupidity:

Conservatives gleeful over governor's arrest

Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:38pm EST
By Matthew Bigg
ATLANTA (*******) - U.S. conservatives rubbed their hands with glee on Wednesday over news that the Democratic governor of Illinois has been accused of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama.
Federal prosecutors said Obama was not connected to charges on Tuesday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell the seat Obama vacated shortly after winning the presidency on November 4 for financial and other benefits for himself and his wife.
But news of his arrest came at a perfect time for conservatives reeling from big losses in November's congressional and presidential elections that put Obama in line to succeed U.S. President George W. Bush on January 20.
The story's shock value and explosive quotes from wiretaps by FBI investigators ensure the Blagojevich scandal is something voters will talk about amid questions about possible links between Obama and the governor.
"Folks, this sitcom just gets better and better every day. This is unbelievable! Except that it's all too believable," said Rush Limbaugh, a leading conservative U.S. talk radio host.
Obama should escape being tainted by the scandal since he has never been close to Blagojevich, analysts said, and Limbaugh did not accuse Obama of involvement in the alleged crime.
But Limbaugh said it was evidence of Democratic Party corruption.
"Both parties engage in this stuff but corruption is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democrat Party, always has been, always will be," Limbaugh said on Tuesday.
The issue of Democratic Party corruption is sweet for Republicans, whose party has been rocked by a series of corruption and *** scandals that helped lead to large congressional losses in 2006 and continued with the recent conviction of senior Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.
The Republican National Committee accused Obama of making "carefully parsed and vague" statements about contact he and his team have had with Blagojevich and said the president-elect should "immediately disclose any and all communications" with the governor's office.
"DID OBAMA KNOW?"
"For the last three years, Democratic leaders cheered GOP ethics woes," said commentator Michelle Malkin on the conservative Townhall blog.
"But with the eye-popping, pay-for-play and bribery case against ... Blagojevich topping a year of nationwide Democratic scandals, the corruption chickens are coming home to roost," she said.
The Washington Times headlined its story on Blagojevich "Scandal casts cloud over Obama presidency" and many conservative websites and blogs echoed that view.
Blagojevich, 52, and his chief of staff, John Harris, were charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. Both were taken into custody at their homes in Chicago.
Talk show host Neal Boortz, who describes himself as a libertarian, headlined an online column about the story "The Gift that Keeps On Giving" because of its potential to revive conservatives.
"Did Barack Obama's transition team know this was going on? Heck, did Barack Obama himself know this was going on?," asked Boortz.
But transcripts of wiretapped conversations showed Blagojevich had little respect for Obama and his team. In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew the president-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. them."

:cantbeli:

[WKD]

After watching this guy on TV for a full day now - there's one thing I want to know about. The hair. What's up with this guy's hair? I say it's a rug. A rug as crazy and overblown as this guy's personality. I'd pay real money to see it snatched off his head.

What most people don't know is that the hair is the real governor. The fleshy manling that carries it around is just a front.

[V.I.D.]

maybe just maybe the good guys will score a win and he will take this whole crooked bunch down with him

You actually believe in good guys vs. bad guys kind of thing? In high-paying political positions? In Chicago?

How old are you?

[budgie]

"The Republican National Committee accused Obama of making "carefully parsed and vague" statements about contact he and his team have had with Blagojevich and said the president-elect should "immediately disclose any and all communications" with the governor's office."

"DID OBAMA KNOW?"

Here we go again, the same innuendo and suggestion we had with Rezko. In the absence of any clear connection to Obama, any real evidence, somehow the onus is on Obama's office to "come clean". Nudge, nudge, wink wink. Keep suggesting and people will start to think there really is something where there is nothing.

[LineDoggie]

I disagree, any connection needs to be investigated to make sure one way or another that he wasnt part of this. He is after all a Product of Chicago's Political Machine.

he ran Basically Unopposed for State Senate because of getting all his opponents thrown off the Democratic ballot.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCText

The Chicago way......

I remember a certain Governor saying he never called Mario Cuomo a Gangster, and then a few days later there it was on tape


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs


Trust, but Verify....

[2Sheds_Jackson]

Just trying to engage my logic circuits here. Anybody find it odd that this guy - a sitting governor of a US state - went directly to the team of the president elect and basically told them he was on the take? As if he didn't expect the president elect, who appoints US attorneys and the US attorney general - to turn right around and prosecute him? Is he just nuts...or did he expect something else?

[philbob]

You actually believe in good guys vs. bad guys kind of thing? In high-paying political positions? In Chicago?

How old are you?


good guy's as US the people or voters and tax payers whatever floats your boat... not dems or republicans

[ronnieraygun]

2Sheds, he is either completely off the reservation or committing unparalleled Tony Soprano-like hubris.

Regarding the Obama comments, I believe he is on the wire as saying this about Obama:



The tapes reveal a two-term governor who no longer wants his job, badly wants cash and is determined to leverage a financial benefit out of his appointment powers.

He also appears to think little of the president-elect, whom he calls a "mother****er" at one point.

“**** him,” Blagjoveich says of Obama during a lengthy call with top aides and his wife recorded on November 10th, “For nothing? **** him.”

In another section of the complaint,Blagojevich expresses exasperation that Obama and his team aren't willing to offer him an inducement in exchange for appointing an aide, apparently Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate.

Blagojevich "said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but 'they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. **** them,'" says the complaint.

So there you have it. Say what you will about the president-elect, he was smart enough to realize he can't play Chicago-style quid pro quo anymore. Now, no one will be nominated under Blagojevich's tenure for the senate seat because that nomination would be tainted by the legacy of the Serbian Soprano himself.

The smart money is on Quinn appointing someone. After Jesse Jackson Jr's name has been dragged in the mud, he should look into Duckworth, the wounded war veteran.

[LineDoggie]

Personally I think he's Dog nuts, He knew he was being watched. Just thought of something. Since Gotojailevich refuses to step down, he is still the only person who can name a replacement correct?

[ronnieraygun]

good guy's as US the people or voters and tax payers whatever floats your boat... not dems or republicans

At this point in time I have hope for Obama, but please bear in mind there is no such thing as a good politico coming out of Chicago. Me and my folks got a friendly wave from Gutierrez (an alderman) at the Krispy Kreme on Wabash once and he seemed like a very personable, warm person - but even a guy like that has been made by someone and likely has an assload of skeletons in his political closet.

[philbob]

this keeps getting better and better

[ronnieraygun]

Personally I think he's Dog nuts, He knew he was being watched.

That's what gets me - he knew damn well he was being watched and people around him would be wired for sound - the thing he is being indicted for took place at a time when he should have gone into monk-mode and shut his big yapper.

[ronnieraygun]

Personally I think he's Dog nuts, He knew he was being watched. Just thought of something. Since Gotojailevich refuses to step down, he is still the only person who can name a replacement correct?

Yes, but again, no one will take the nomination from his now, as it is political suicide. He will be replaced by a guy named Quinn, IIRC, (lieutenant governor, maybe?) who will either choose Jackson Jr. or Duckworth the veteran, IMHO.

[philbob]

At this point in time I have hope for Obama, but please bear in mind there is no such thing as a good politico coming out of Chicago. Me and my folks got a friendly wave from Gutierrez (an alderman) at the Krispy Kreme on Wabash once and he seemed like a very personable, warm person - but even a guy like that has been made by someone and likely has an assload of skeletons in his political closet.

I have hope for him also mainly becuase of his cabnit picks...on the note of the fat fvck with the fake hair of a gov, i hope he burns. Most likly not jackson he will want to keep a low profile for the time being

[ronnieraygun]

Two Illinois governors in a row in prison. Things need to change before the New Jersey jokes start up. I say go California or Minnesota and get some famous non-political person in there stat and see what happens. After all, things cannot get much worse.

[Zoomie]

Personally I think he's Dog nuts, He knew he was being watched. Just thought of something. Since Gotojailevich refuses to step down, he is still the only person who can name a replacement correct?
Not necessarily. From what I've read, there are provisions for a special election.

[budgie]

I disagree, any connection needs to be investigated to make sure one way or another that he wasnt part of this. He is after all a Product of Chicago's Political Machine.

he ran Basically Unopposed for State Senate because of getting all his opponents thrown off the Democratic ballot.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/29/obamas.first.campaign/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCText

The Chicago way......

I remember a certain Governor saying he never called Mario Cuomo a Gangster, and then a few days later there it was on tape


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs


Trust, but Verify....

Fair enough - I'm not saying this shouldn't be verified, that it should be swept under the rug. But all this sudden talk of Obama's "possible involvement" in an otherwise unrelated case smacks of innuendo. Those who most rabidly seek to "investigate" Obama over this also want to keep the idea that he was somehow responsible going long after it is over.

[LineDoggie]

You'll have those no matter what. We had them for the last 8 years making all manner of accusations from Bush Personally flew the planes into the towers, set the charges himself, to McCain starting the USS Forresstal Fire Himself.


You cant change that fraction of society thats Deranged, be they right or left. You can However NOT give them Ammo by investigating it openly.

[SBL]

Fair enough - I'm not saying this shouldn't be verified, that it should be swept under the rug. But all this sudden talk of Obama's "possible involvement" in an otherwise unrelated case smacks of innuendo. Those who most rabidly seek to "investigate" Obama over this also want to keep the idea that he was somehow responsible going long after it is over.
Well, gee, what did you expect? Everyone is looking to break a story, even better when the story may-or-may-not involve the US's most popular politician.
I can't help but think you'd be right at the door with the rest of the wolves had this been somehow connected to the current administration.

[budgie]

I still at least try to wait till the facts come in

[SBL]

I still at least try to wait till the facts come in
That's great. Me too.

[ronnieraygun]

That's great. Me too.

Me three.

Fact:
Funny man has a funny hairdo.

[Zoomie]

Here's some satire:


BREAKING: Feds Seize Blagojevich eBay Account

CHICAGO - The ongoing corruption probe into Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich took a dramatic turn this evening, as federal agents working for US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald announced that they had seized the governor's eBay account. It is as yet unknown how the latest seizure will effect the outcome of the case.
IOWAHAWK EXCLUSIVE! RUSH UPDATE!

Leaked documents from latest sealed federal indictment
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2631/3097265339a9396af9efowc0.jpg
See the rest (http://iowahawk.typepad.com/iowahawk/2008/12/breaking-feds-seize-blagojevich-ebay-account.html)

[Aerosoul]

Haha, nice.

[ronnieraygun]

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1865370,00.html

[RA88IT]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6a7_aV8f1k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTDHR0MvSnY

Listen this guy on this one. 4:00

Old but funny as hell

[c62]

One always has to wonder what beans will be spilled when these guys try to cut a deal.
That's when the fun really starts. I love it when skeletons start getting dug up. This guy would sell out his own mother to stay out of the slam.

On a completely unrelated note...

Apparently the news media doesn't want you to know he's a Democrat. I was watching/reading all the major media outlet on this one. According to ABC/NBC/CBS/NY Times/USA Today/(I could go on) they don't want to mention he's a Democrat, I guess only Republicans are capable of committing scandals.
NY Times(no mention):http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/us/politics/10Illinois.html?hp
CNN (mentioned under photo, not in the article, not in the broadcast):http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/10/illinois.governor/index.html


All three network morning shows covered the allegations and arrest of Governor Blagojevich today. But a look by our research department at the first 30 minutes of NBC, CBS, and ABC's programming show a decided omission.

Not one of the networks identified Blagojevich directly as a Democrat. Four minutes into "The Early Show" on CBS it was noted Blagojevich and President-elect Obama "Have both been leaders in Illinois Democratic politics for years." Over on "Good Morning America," six minutes into the broadcast it was said the Illinois governor had "roots in the Chicago Democratic machine."
And on "The Today Show," there was not a single reference to Blagojevich's party affiliation in the first half-hour of the program.

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465145,00.html

Please save all the responses "Fox News is right wing... blah blah blah..." My post was about the news organizations NOT mentioning his party affiliation(which they seem to mention a lot when Sen Craig, Stevens were in trouble.)

[tbk107]

I think they pulled the plug on this investigation a little too early. They should have let it run until someone agreed to "pay to play". Charging the Gov as they did allowed all the other cockroaches to scurry back into their dark holes.

[delio]

I think they pulled the plug on this investigation a little too early. They should have let it run until someone agreed to "pay to play". Charging the Gov as they did allowed all the other cockroaches to scurry back into their dark holes.

They had to pull the plug; the Governor became very aware of the fact the FBI had placed a bug on his phone.