Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested by FBI agents on federal corruption charges Tuesday morning. Blagojevich and Harris were arrested simultaneously at their homes at about 6:15 a.m., according to Frank Bochte of the FBI. Both were awakened in their residences and transported to FBI headquarters in Chicago. In one charge related to the appointment of a senator to replace Barack Obama, prosecutors allege that Blagojevich sought appointment for himself as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union, in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate. [Chicago Tribune]
Illinois Governor Tried to Sell Obama’s Senate Seat
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Michael W.
LOL at the idea of Blagojevich getting a cabinet post. Who the fuck was he kidding?
Raven
This is exactly what we don’t need. Democrats going off the reservation just because we have some influence. People are such morons.
Joe Moag
As a Chicago resident who is active in local politics, I can tell you that Governor Blagojevich is delusional if he ever thought that Obama would appoint him to anything. This Gov. is toxic back here in this state. The GOP hates him, but that pales in comparison to the degree to which the Dems hate him. The guy is incompetent, venal, vengeful, and an all around idiot, with the poltical savvy of a pig on crack.
According to an article in Crain’s (another local paper), the Gov. is also facing charges of trying to extort money and promises from the Tribune as the Tribune goes through bankruptcy and looks for a buyer for the Chicago Cubs.
Blagojevich has had his hand in so many tills over the past 6 years that, even by Illinois standards (and we got the lowest standards in the Western Hemisphere), a new land-speed record of corruption may be in the offing when all is totalled up.
Hint
Good. We need to get rid of corrupt Republicans AND Democrats.
But who will get to appoint that Senate seat eventually? Does anyone know who becomes Governor if he is indicted or resigns?
Joe Moag
The Lietenant Governor, Patrick Quinn, an old-school progressive Dem who also hates Blagojevich, a nice guy, but kind of a nut. A clean nut, however. But I can’t imagine Blago stepping down, period. Not in his nature. And it would be years before a trial, and months and months and months before any impeachment type activities could occur in our Senate. So Blago will be appointing the next Senator, a distinction that will surely guarantee that whomever he appoints will be tarred by his/her association with Blago and be assured of a stiff re-election challenge from the Dems.
Hint
Well then. I think the only way for that Senator to have legitimacy is to have Obama and perhaps Quinn endorse someone together and try to force Blagojevich’s hand.
I guess we’ll see what develops.
Joe Moag
@Hint: Yeah, that could work, although I think that Obama won’t want to get anywhere near this crapola…I wouldn’t…
Hint
Still hoping for Tammy Duckworth myself.
Joe Moag
@Hint: She’d be great, but I would hate to be her and get appointed by Blago…it tars her (unfairly) right from the get-go. I think the best bet is for Balgo to appoint one of his clear and obvious hacks for the express purpose of the person serving only two years, then let the big boys and girls in the Democratic party fight over the seat in two years – which they will do anyways.
chgo921
In response to who will appoint the next Senator, Dick Durbin — our other Senator — just said he thinks we should have a special election instead of allowing Blago to appoint someone. It would take the Il Senate and House to pass the bill (which could be vetoed by Blago), but I think it would pass with a veto-proof majority.
Just an FYI, Blago’s sister-in-law is an out lesbian, and also an elected official. Just trying to keep the queer theme going.
seitan-on-a-stick
The Dems may force him to step down and then the Lt Gov will be free to appoint an interim Governor, if not himself. Jesse Jackson Jr seems to be the most heavily favored to take Barack Obama’s soon to be vacant Illinois Senate Seat but that’s just the National voices. It is noteworthy to Democrats a little too drunk on their own power that when you make threats to powerful American financial interests like the Bank Of America, the FBI is enlisted to find the dirt. Just ask the former Sheriff of Wall Street, disgraced Governor of New York; Eliot Spitzer.
chgo921
@seitan-on-a-stick: Given the timing of Blago’s (legitimate given the Republic Windows situation, IMO) “threat” to BoA and his arrest, it seems like a very tenuous connection you’re making between Blago and Spitzer — not to mention Dems aren’t the only ones to find themselves in a banking/arrest scandal.
Joe Moag
Blago’s scandals are of his own making, and run deep in the history of Gubenatorial bullshit in which the State of Illinois is stacked! From both parties, over decades, regardless of which party is or is not in national ascendency, etc…
And, you can be sure, that within another ten years some other, future Governor of this great state will get indicted for some crap as well.
It’s in the water supply out here. Too much flouride.
chgo921
@Joe Moag: Not if we elect Pat Fitzgerald. Ready to start our grass-roots movement? (Though I’m sure that’s what the people of NY state thought when they elected Spitzer.)
Joe Moag
@chgo921: The battle royale that will be the next Dem – and GOP – primary here to fill Blago’s seat will be something to watch. If the Illinois GOP had any brains – which they most definitely DO NOT – they would beg, cheat and steal to get Fitzgerald to carry their flag into the race.
Don’t see it happening.
benwa
what is this detroit? Come on people, use your influence, don’t abuse it!!!!
blake
@Raven:
This has nothing to do with “Democrats.” The previous governor, George Ryan, was a Republican. He’s now in jail alongside a lot of other Illinois Republicans! Do your research. Illinois has a long history of corrupt government officials of both parties.
The GOP in Illinois got shredded because of the HORRIBLE corruption scandals.
Corrupt politicians are a plague the world over; where there is power and a potential to make, bribe, or extort money, you will find corrupt politicians. One would be hard pressed to name a country where there aren’t corrupt politicians.
Look at the conviction of Ted Stevens from Alaska or Randy Cunningham. What about the Lousiana governor Edwards who is behind bars? Etc. Etc. Etc.
Plus, Blago was incredibly stupid and arrogant. Everyone knew he was being investigated, but the guy was ridiculous enough to continue business as usual. It’s 2008, only an idiot would say something incriminating on a phone. If it’s electronic, it’s easily monitored.
Joe Moag,
Isn’t Fitzgerald HATED by Republicans because of his charges against Scooter Libby? I think he’s a Democrat.
Joe Moag
@blake: Yeah, he probably is hated by the GOP, but not being a Republican myself (and having no idea how their “minds” work), I just assumed that since Fitzgerald was appointed by Bush, and since the IL GOP is in SHAMBLES, that they would do anything to get Fitzgerald on their ticket.
Just a guess on my part. I don’t think he would bite. He doesn’t seem that stupid.
chgo921
@blake: Though Patrick Fitzgerald was the prosecutor in the Libby case, he was nominated by Bush because of the Senator who preceded Obama — Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald (no relation). I seem to recall that there was some concern among Republicans with the nomination specifically because Pat F. didn’t seem to be partisan enough, but Peter F. specifically wanted someone who would NOT be partisan. (The President usually reaches out to the Senators of his party from a particular state when making an appointment to the US Atty position for that area.)
Ben
The real hero here is former Illinois Senator Peter Fitzgerald. With enough money to fund his own campaign, and no interest in re-election, he used his nomination perogative to nominate Patrick Fitzgerald, a known bulldog with a penchant for taking down corrupt politicians. Four of the past six Illinois Governors have gone from the Illinois State House to the Big House.
Of course, Peter Fitzgerald retired from the US Senate, moved to the east coast and is probably now watching, with glee, as all his old “friends” are sent to prison.
Joe Moag
It’s funny. I keep losing my neigbors. I live right down the street from Rahm Emanuel, and he’s off to be Chief of Staff at the White House, and right down from that is Gov. Blagojevich, and we know where he’s headed, and right down from THAT is Blogojevich’s Chief of Staff, who was also frog marched out by the Feds this morning. BTW, the neighborhood is crawling with cops all day. What the point of that is I have no idea.
I have a lot of friends here in Ravenswood who are licking their chops over potential new real estate listings…
I’ll say one thing about Blagojevich. He runs past my house almost everday with leg-long skin tight running pants…nice, nice ass.
blake
@Joe Moag:
“I’ll say one thing about Blagojevich. He runs past my house almost everday with leg-long skin tight running pants…nice, nice ass.”
Eew! Seriously, Blago? I never got why women (and some men) found JFK or Bill Clinton attractive.
—-
Side Note:
How the heck does Mayor Richard Daley escape the feds? He must be 10 times as corrupt as Blagojevich.
Joe Moag
@blake: Never said Blagojevich was attractive, I said he had a hell of an ass, which he does.
As for Daley, he’s not as stupid or as arrogant as the Governor, believe it or not. Also, Daley learned this crap at the knee of his father 50 years ago. He ain’t about to get caught with his hand in multiple cookie jars.
Joe Moag
As someone pointed out about, Durbin’s suggested a new law to allow for a quick special election to fill Obama’s Senate seat. Here it is, 4:30, and that move is really cathcing on with the speed of wildfire. There will be a special meeting of the laws committees in the House and Senate this week to draft a law that will allow this.
This would be a better solution to having Blagojevich attempt to appoint someone to the seat as he is about to be indicted for trying to sell the seat. No matter who Blago appoints, that person’s career would be shot, as no one would believe that he/she is clean.
geoff
Thank you God!! This arrogant son of a bitch is finally going to pay for the mess he’s made of Illinois and especially downstate Illinois which he has treated with nothing but contempt for years. Having said that, it’s too bad for him he didn’t spend last night in the Governor’s Mansion. The feds never would have thought to look for him there.
Mister C
But Joe,
I like Durbin’s idea. However I’m afraid because of the mess this dipshit has caused a rethuglican might capture that seat. And that will not be good to see PE Obama’s seat going to a GOP Person.
Joe Moag
@Mister C: I think that there may be a real likelihood that a special election could result in the GOP taking the seat. A special election would be open and would attract several heavy Dems, and, if the GOP is smart (a stretch), only one Republican. By a simply plurality, the GOP could take the seat, and wouldn’t that be the ultimate “bleep” you, Mr. Obama, by Blagojevich!