Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, have been arrested and charged with a multitude of crimes involving everything from a “pay-to-play” scheme for state contracts to his attempt to sell the open Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for “financial considerations” for the governor and his wife.I know political corruption follows no particular partisan lines, but Illinois remains the last big "party machine" state in American politics, and Barack Obama launched his career in the maelstrom of Chicogo's corrupt ward politics. Gina Cobb touches on the Democratic nature of the scandal, and what to expect in the coming months and years:
It may be schadenfruede time, but more than that, it's "hang your head, America" time. How did we elect this man? How many more Gov. Blagojeviches and Elliot Spitzers have we put into office? How many more politicians and bureaucrats in state and local government are trading their power for money and favors right now? How many corruptocrats many are waiting in the wings to join the Obama administration?There's some speculation that top Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett was one of the possible candidates willing to pony up for the open Illinois Senate seat, AND some are suggesting that Jarrett's appointment as a "public liaison and senior aide to the president" was made just in time to avoid her being implicated in Governor Blagojevich's investigation.
Did President-Elect Obama know that his Senate seat was up for sale?
Don't doubt it folks. As I've said before, this man is the most secretive candidate we've seen in decades, and his administration's likely corruption will put Richard Nixon's in the shade.
See also, "GOP Ties Obama to Arrested Ill. Governor," and "US Atty: Not Alleging Obama Knew of Ill. Gov. Plan."
3 comments:
Professor, while this governor should DEFINITELY be held accountable if the allegations are proven, let us not forget that the previous governor, George Ryan (R-Chicago), was caught selling commerical drivers' licenses (bypassing the usual system that does such irritating things like, say, checking driving records) ... and he is now making license plates, instead -- along with another IL governor IIRC.
Just like pork in Washington, corruption in Chicago is bipartisan. You have to wonder if it's the Lake Michigan water ???
I will agree that someone needs to ask the President-elect, "what did you know, and when did you know it?" ... and get an answer.
With regards to when this will happen though ... are you cognizant of the concept of obese possibility?
That was weak, but it does show your bloodlust once again. This governor hates Obama. Read his quotes. He has been recorded saying "f*ck Obama."
Does that sound like they are in league together?
This quote alone suggests that Obama is on the up and up here, presumably regarding the senate seat: "For nothing? F**k him."
I don't think Obama is as stupid as Nixon, though. Again, a weak comparison.
You have no proof, Don. All I see is wishful thinking. You want Obama to be a radical, to be corrupt, to fail.
Obama may be corrupt, but only a nut would claim he is as corrupt as Blagojevich, and he is certainly not stupid like Blagojevich.
And if I remember correctly the Bush administration (Don is one of the few people who still think Bush was a good president) has been very secretive; they have the same kind of view of executive power that got Nixon into so much trouble.
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