Illinois Democrat Corruption

[jgaffney]

I don't get any satisfaction from saying I TOLD YOU SO, but here's the latest on the Democrat machine in Illinois, the same state that the President-elect came from:

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, including trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by fellow Democrat President-elect Barack Obama, federal prosecutors said.

While Obama has long distanced himself from the governor -- who has been under investigation on other issues for months -- Blagojevich's arrest was likely to be an embarrassment to the president-elect, who takes office on January 20

The case shines a light once again on old-style corruption in the Chicago political caldron from which Obama emerged.

"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the federal prosecutor, said in a statement.

Blagojevich was also accused of threatening to withhold state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of the Chicago Cubs' baseball home, Wrigley Field, in order "to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical" of him.

Just to make sure we all understand the nature of politics in Illinois, the article add this:

Blagojevich, in his second term, is the latest in a string of Illinois governors to run afoul of the law. His immediate predecessor, George Ryan, is in jail following a federal corruption conviction.

"Many, including myself, thought that the recent conviction of a former governor would usher in a new era of honesty and reform in Illinois politics," Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said in a statement.

"Clearly, the charges announced today reveal that the office of the Governor has become nothing more than a vehicle for self-enrichment, unrestricted by party affiliation and taking Illinois politics to a new low."

This is the Illinois Democrat machine that propelled Obama into the national spotlight, to the point that he was the most unvetted presidential candidate ever. Well, I guess you get what you pay for....literally.

[saunterelle]

It's a stretch to try and connect Obama to this corruption. Many feel that Obama was a beacon of light because he was a "clean" politician in the dirty world of Chicago politics.

[barneyfife]

It's a stretch to connect Barry to Rezko? Cuz Rezko's name is all over Blagojevich's investigation.

Barry to Alexi Gianoulis? Another name that wont go away..

Both of which are well connected to Blagojevich.

So a stretch ..Not hardly...will there be any "official" implications most likely no unless Alexi gets indicted I don't doubt he'd roll, but please do not attempt to act as if there is no connection.


And also David Axelrod said this : November 23, 2008

blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/12/questions-arise.html

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."


Although tonight Axelrod says he Mis-Spoke, wow they sure Mis-Speak alot in Barry world.





UN-Related Side Note:

Funny IQ Test at the top of the page right now says GWB =125
Also says Barry = 125 hope there is no validity to these things..or there goes your he' so smart theory.

[Mink]

How long will it take to convict this criminal? How long did it take to convict Ken Lay- Enron with that scandal, remember from the state of our current president??

Honestly, we all know there is corruption even in this elite country, so let justice prevail and start the proceedings. It isn't confirmed yet, but Raum Emanuel may have been the one to flag FitzGerald on this one- WTG Raum!!

[The Big Dog]

That is Rahm "F*** the Republicans" Emanuel.

Get it right.....

Blagojevich has been under scrutiny for a long, long time. The US Attorney and the FBI have been picking their way through his administration and it was probably only a matter of time before they finally got to him.

Politics in Illinois is a cesspool, always has been and always will be. Doesn't really matter who is in charge. Louisiana is probably still worse, but since the voters in the Big Easy turned out Rep. William "Cold Cash" Jefferson just the other day, I'd say the Bayou State has shown some improvement.

[subdjoe]

So, The Obama denies knowing anything about this. And pretty much gives the bums rush to reporters.

One thing that stands out to me is: "The governor then talked about whether he could get an ambassadorship in exchange for the Senate appointment, according to the complaint.

Later that day, speaking with Harris, Blagojevich said the "trick ... is how do you conduct indirectly ... a negotiation," the complaint alleges.

He compared his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a free agent, according to the complaint, stating "how much are you offering, (President-elect)? What are you offering, (Senate Candidate 2)? ... Can always go to ... (Senate Candidate 3)."

He later said he would make the appointment in good faith, but "it is not coming for free. ... It's got to be good stuff for the people of Illinois and good for me."

"(President-elect), you want it? Fine. But it's got to be good or I could always take (the Senate seat)," the governor is quoted as saying.

On Nov. 5, Blagojevich and an aide talked about potential positions he could get, including Secretary of Health and Human Services and various ambassadorships. The aide noted that the cabinet position of Secretary of Energy is "the one that makes the most money," but that it's hard not to give that job to a Texan. Yet, the aide said, Blagojevich's experience with coal might help."


Why does good old Rod think that appointing someone to fill a vacant seat in the US Senate could get him a post that requires an appointment by the POTUS? These guys make Tamanny Hall look like a church school pic-nic

added: There must have been SOMETHING to cause the good governor to feel that The Obama would come through with some sort of appointment for him. It will be interesting to see wher this all leads.

[Mink]

Big Dog:
That is Rahm "F*** the Republicans" Emanuel.

Get it right.....

Well, I'm not sure about that, but he is saying "No" to corruption to a Democrat!!

[The New Guy]

Dec 9, 2008 21:08:24 GMT -5 Mink said:

How long will it take to convict this criminal? How long did it take to convict Ken Lay- Enron with that scandal, remember from the state of our current president??

Honestly, we all know there is corruption even in this elite country, so let justice prevail and start the proceedings. It isn't confirmed yet, but Raum Emanuel may have been the one to flag FitzGerald on this one- WTG Raum!!

leave it to mink to tie this to bush. WTF does ken lay have to do with the gov of illinois?

had this been a republican gov you can bet your sweet ass that mink would have been SCREAMING cronyism at the top of her keyboard!!!

[jgaffney]

Dec 9, 2008 19:41:32 GMT -5 saunterelle said:

It's a stretch to try and connect Obama to this corruption. Many feel that Obama was a beacon of light because he was a "clean" politician in the dirty world of Chicago politics.

I'm at work right now, otherwise, I could barrage you with links and quotes disproving your pollyannish assessment of The Obama's political background in Illinois.

So, I'll just smite you instead.

We owe our thanks to David Axlerod for a new out anytime someone is caught lying: "I misspoke."

No WMDs found? - "I misspoke."

No Child Left Behind not working? - "I misspoke."

How come that's only a valid excuse when it's used by a Democrat?

[saunterelle]

Dec 9, 2008 22:38:26 GMT -5 subdjoe said:

So, The Obama denies knowing anything about this. And pretty much gives the bums rush to reporters.

One thing that stands out to me is: "The governor then talked about whether he could get an ambassadorship in exchange for the Senate appointment, according to the complaint.

Later that day, speaking with Harris, Blagojevich said the "trick ... is how do you conduct indirectly ... a negotiation," the complaint alleges.

He compared his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a free agent, according to the complaint, stating "how much are you offering, (President-elect)? What are you offering, (Senate Candidate 2)? ... Can always go to ... (Senate Candidate 3)."

He later said he would make the appointment in good faith, but "it is not coming for free. ... It's got to be good stuff for the people of Illinois and good for me."

"(President-elect), you want it? Fine. But it's got to be good or I could always take (the Senate seat)," the governor is quoted as saying.

On Nov. 5, Blagojevich and an aide talked about potential positions he could get, including Secretary of Health and Human Services and various ambassadorships. The aide noted that the cabinet position of Secretary of Energy is "the one that makes the most money," but that it's hard not to give that job to a Texan. Yet, the aide said, Blagojevich's experience with coal might help."


Why does good old Rod think that appointing someone to fill a vacant seat in the US Senate could get him a post that requires an appointment by the POTUS? These guys make Tamanny Hall look like a church school pic-nic

added: There must have been SOMETHING to cause the good governor to feel that The Obama would come through with some sort of appointment for him. It will be interesting to see wher this all leads.

Give me a break! Did you not catch the part about Blagojevich being extremely upset and using profanity because he knows Obama won't play along?

Nothing in the court papers suggested Obama had any part in the discussions or knew of them — something Fitzgerald repeatedly made clear at Tuesday's news conference.

In fact, Blagojevich was overheard complaining at one that Obama's people are "not going to give me anything except appreciation." He added: "(Expletive) them."

From: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/12/09/national/a064842S88.DTL&hw=blagojevic&sn=001&sc=1000

[jgaffney]

Just to prove that the Illinois Democrat Machine does not have a monopoly on corruption, The Hill has this:

House Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) said Monday he has no intention of abandoning his high-powered post, despite calls by some to abandon the position amidst investigations into Rangel's ethics.

Rangel said after a meeting that he does not see why he would step down, and cast aspersions against a recent report that Rangel funneled an inordinately high sum of money to his son to design a campaign web site.

"I don't see what purpose that would serve," Rangel said of calls for him to abandon his chairmanship, reported by CNN.

Remember how much mileage the Democrats got, screaming "Corruption!" during the 2006 elections? Turn-about would be fair play, don't you think?

[saunterelle]

Hey, he paid his son for designing his campaign website. At least he doesn't have a "wide stance."