Illinois Governor Arrested...

[jeninflorida]

it will be interesting to see how this plays out...Blagojevich is not going anywhere yet...and thinks that Obama will support him...however, Obama wants him out...does Blagojevich have dirt on Obama?

what has change in Ill politics? growing up there I learned, to vote early and often!

Illinois Governor Arrested on Corruption Charges

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested in Chicago Tuesday on two counts each of corruption charges relating to trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat.

the rest of the story.

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Looks like I'm gettin' out of here just in time.

 

[midwestyankee]

I don't want to be governor. I want to be majority whip.

So that would be the person who does the bidding of House Speaker Madigan. Hmmm....Doc, you wanna be AG Lisa Madigan?

 

[BlueEyesInLevis]

Is anyone else besides me wondering why they announced this investigation so quickly?

Do narcotic agents make arrests before money changes hands? Not if they can avoid it because they want to get as many involved as they can. Why is this being treated differently?

Why not let this thing progress for a while. It would have been very interesting to see who might have been tempted to buy into Blago's sceme.

Frankly, I really think they made a political decision to purposefully pull the plug before any other well known politicians bit on the bait.... or became involved.

 

[jomar]

Is anyone else besides me wondering why they announced this investigation so quickly?

Do narcotic agents make arrests before money changes hands? Not if they can avoid it because they want to get as many involved as they can. Why is this being treated differently?

Why not let this thing progress for a while. It would have been very interesting to see who might have been tempted to buy into Blago's sceme.

Frankly, I really think they made a political decision to purposefully pull the plug before any other well known politicians bit on the bait.... or became involved.

It could be a problem in convicting him. They have talk but no money passing hands so they'll have to go for conspiracy.

I wouldn't have minded it playing out more. Corrupt it corrupt, famous or not.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Is anyone else besides me wondering why they announced this investigation so quickly?

Do narcotic agents make arrests before money changes hands? Not if they can avoid it because they want to get as many involved as they can. Why is this being treated differently?

Why not let this thing progress for a while. It would have been very interesting to see who might have been tempted to buy into Blago's sceme.

Frankly, I really think they made a political decision to purposefully pull the plug before any other well known politicians bit on the bait.... or became involved.

It could be a problem in convicting him. They have talk but no money passing hands so they'll have to go for conspiracy.

I wouldn't have minded it playing out more. Corrupt it corrupt, famous or not.

Most likely Mayor Dicky got wind and told the feds to do it now so Blago could name a senator. Even though he still can, anyone he names would be suspect and be under scrutiny by Congress right off.

 

[Guest]

I don't want to be governor. I want to be majority whip.

Sweet.

 

[DesertPirate]

Most likely Mayor Dicky got wind and told the feds to do it now so Blago could name a senator. Even though he still can, anyone he names would be suspect and be under scrutiny by Congress right off.

Just because someone gets appointed does not mean the Senate has to seat him/her.

 

[Boxlicker101]

One of the most remarkable things in all this is how Obama came up through the slime of Illinois politics without being corrupted himself. I told you guys this was true way back during the primary season, that he was clean as a whistle, but you didn't believe me, insisting he was just another Chicago Machine hack, and now I'm here to stick my tongue out and tell you you were wrong and I was right! Take it from me, he had nothing to do with Rezko and he had nothing to do with Blago. As I've said all along, Obama is from Chicago but not of it.

Blagojevich is a smear on the Democratic party because people have known he was a shameless crook and lowlife since at least 2006 and they didn't do anything about it. Before that he was more or less okay, or at least he kept his larceny within acceptable bounds, but since then he's been running a kleptocracy and he's been under one investigation after another, which is why Obama and most pols with half a brain steered well clear of him (including Mayor Daley). There was talk of impeachment long before he was caught in this current scandal. You'll notice he was conspicuously absent during the Democratic convention and never appeared with Obama during the campaign, and for good reason.

So as for Obama, you can hate him for his politics or hate him for his personality, or hate him for his race, but he's not a crook and he's not a sleaze and never has been, and that's just the truth of the matter.

Obama didn't completely wash his hands of Blago.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article5321475.ece

Judging from other things that appear on this site, I don't know how reliable it is. I also realize it is not exactly a ringing endoresement, but it did benefit Blago.

I'm also not sure how clear he steered of Rezko:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taylor-marsh/obamas-faustian-bargain-_b_82863.html

Apparently, they had more business and political dealings than Obama has admitted. My posting a link to the Huffington Post is rather unusual. Generally, I don't tust them, but Obama has always been their palsy-walsy.

 

[shereads]

I wonder how long until we hear that Obama has no idea who Blagojevich is

You haven't, you won't. Their "association" is not at issue in this FBI investigation.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Going back to January 23 of 2008 for that hot story, huh, Box? There's a piece of news that really went somewhere. That was old news in Chicago. Rezko had dealings with lots of people. That's the nature of the beast. He's now sung to the feds like a La Scala tenor and nothing's come out about Obama. Not a peep.

And forgive Obama for endorsing a governor who was rumored to be under investigation back in 2006. I guess he should have dumped on him because of rumors and because everyone Obama associates with is guilty until proven innocent, right?

A little obsessed, aren't we, Box?

 

[jeninflorida]

well were back to the clinton spin control...a reporter asked one of the Obama guys what he thought about this...the guys answer "your wasting your time" never did he say yes or no.

it will be interesting to see how this plays out...Blagojevich is not going anywhere yet...and thinks that Obama will support him...however, Obama wants him out...does Blagojevich have dirt on Obama?

what has change in Ill politics? growing up there I learned, to vote early and often!

 

[rgraham666]

Perhaps if they said, "Fuck off! we're sick of your stupid questions! You haven't a damned shred of evidence. When you do, come back then." would be more convincing

So far the arguments about Obama and Rezko or Blagojevich consist entirely of, "You know what those people are like."

 

[jeninflorida]

yeah but that type of reactions says "guilt"

Perhaps if they said, "Fuck off! we're sick of your stupid questions! You haven't a damned shred of evidence. When you do, come back then." would be more convincing

So far the arguments about Obama and Rezko or Blagojevich consist entirely of, "You know what those people are like."

 

[Huckleman2000]

yeah but that type of reactions says "guilt"

Umm... actually, I think your type of reaction says "pathetic obsessional grasping of straws."

It's pretty obvious someone from Obama's staff had some discussion with the Governer's office about Obama's replacement, and the transcripts say that all they offered was "appreciation".

With everything Obama's had on his plate in the last few months, do you honestly think he's given more than two thoughts to Blago? And the two thoughts seem to have been, "Oh, he's a douchebag and probably a crook", and "Keep your distance. Only deal with him as we have to."

 

[midwestyankee]

Today the Illinois Attorney General moved to have the State Supreme Court declare Blagojevich incompetent to execute his duties. One of the key factors is that the state is preparing to do some short-term borrowing and one of the steps is for the AG to certify that there are no proceedings under way that would infringe on the Governor's authority to do his job. I guess, since he's going to be subject to a grand jury investigation and an impeachment trial she felt that it would not be honest of her to certify that Blago is free and clear to do the job.

 

[jeninflorida]

Umm... actually, I think your type of reaction says "pathetic obsessional grasping of straws."

wow, so you don't agree with me and you have to say "pathetic" that to me shows that you are worried

I just don’t understand why when you don’t agree with a democrat that they have to make personal attacks. Its like being bullied into buying into what your selling…

so what if I don't agree with you...can't you say something nice or point out where I'm wrong?

Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying and that you were referring to the media. If so my apologize for taking what you said wrong.

Umm... actually, I think your type of reaction says "pathetic obsessional grasping of straws."

It's pretty obvious someone from Obama's staff had some discussion with the Governer's office about Obama's replacement, and the transcripts say that all they offered was "appreciation".

With everything Obama's had on his plate in the last few months, do you honestly think he's given more than two thoughts to Blago? And the two thoughts seem to have been, "Oh, he's a douchebag and probably a crook", and "Keep your distance. Only deal with him as we have to."

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Sure would be a shame if the net caught a messiah and a disciple or two.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Obama might fail in an infinity of ways, but expecting him to be included in this scandal just shows a real ignorance of the man and what he's like, a real know-nothingness on the part of his detractors.

At least be realistic in your hatred.

Where in hell did you get the idea that Blegojevich expects Obama to come bail him out? Blago doesn't have a friend in the world, and if you knew the frrst thing about Illinois politics, you'd know that.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Is anyone else besides me wondering why they announced this investigation so quickly?

Do narcotic agents make arrests before money changes hands? Not if they can avoid it because they want to get as many involved as they can. Why is this being treated differently?

Why not let this thing progress for a while. It would have been very interesting to see who might have been tempted to buy into Blago's sceme.

Frankly, I really think they made a political decision to purposefully pull the plug before any other well known politicians bit on the bait.... or became involved.

Yeah. Fitzgerald announced why they were making this announcement so quickly. To bring the hammer down before Blago actually sold the senate seat by naming a new senator. He's got the Gov negotiating enough stuff on tape that Blagojevich is going away for a long, long time. He didn't have to set up any sort of sting operation.

Blago will now turn state's evidence and squeal on everyone he's done shady business with and Fitzgerald will have plenty to keep him busy for a year or two. I expect a bunch of local luminaries will bite the dust over this.

 

[DesertPirate]

One of the wiretap quotes of Blagojevich was a complaint that all he would get from Obamas people for appointing someone they liked was "good feelings".

I think that pretty much eliminates a connection about the Senate seat.

 

[jeninflorida]

Obama made a mistake like bush, bush put his father's people around him...obama has done the same with clinton's people and i'm sure that this is only the first of many "gates" ...the clintons were very polor and masters of spin control...plus so many people are jealous of Bill as he is the master sales person...

Obama might fail in an infinity of ways, but expecting him to be included in this scandal just shows a real ignorance of the man and what he's like, a real know-nothingness on the part of his detractors.

At least be realistic in your hatred.

Where in hell did you get the idea that Blegojevich expects Obama to come bail him out? Blago doesn't have a friend in the world, and if you knew the frrst thing about Illinois politics, you'd know that.

 

[sr71plt]

Obama made a mistake like bush, bush put his father's people around him...

Excuse me? The Bush senior "people" put around Bush junior were brought in to try to save him from himself--but he didn't listen to them. The Bush senior advisers brought in were about the only level-headed people trying to talk to junior.

And you didn't back up that statement you made that Blegojevich expects Obama to bail him out--as Dr. M. challenged you to do.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Obama made a mistake like bush, bush put his father's people around him...obama has done the same with clinton's people and i'm sure that this is only the first of many "gates" ...the clintons were very polor and masters of spin control...plus so many people are jealous of Bill as he is the master sales person...

What "gate" do you think is happening, and what does it have to do with Obama's cabinet?

 

[jeninflorida]

there are no gates now, and hopefully will not be. Obama seems to be much more family oriented and has not had any skeletons in his closet like so many others have in DC.....

can we all agree that we've suffered through 20 years of bush and clintons. those that are pro clintons are not happy with bush...those that are or were pro bush never liked the clintons?

look at how divided people are on politics and how you have to be a republican or democrat and there is zero room to be a free thinker. look at how quickly people get heated up when you talk about politics? I can't tell you how many emails I've gotten from people "wishing that they could reach through the computer monitor and choke me" please that is just silly. why can't poeple talk about things with out resorting to violence?

back to the point. .... the "gate" thing was in reference to the clintons and how they always seem to be in some type of trouble. its like with the blue dress, if Bill would have come out and said that "look I made a mistake" i could respect that but he spun it...not sure if that was from being a politician or a lawyer.

What "gate" do you think is happening, and what does it have to do with Obama's cabinet?

 

[sr71plt]

there are no gates now, and hopefully will not be. Obama seems to be much more family oriented and has not had any skeletons in his closet like so many others have in DC.....

can we all agree that we've suffered through 20 years of bush and clintons. those that are pro clintons are not happy with bush...those that are or were pro bush never liked the clintons?

look at how divided people are on politics and how you have to be a republican or democrat and there is zero room to be a free thinker. look at how quickly people get heated up when you talk about politics? I can't tell you how many emails I've gotten from people "wishing that they could reach through the computer monitor and choke me" please that is just silly. why can't poeple talk about things with out resorting to violence?

back to the point. .... the "gate" thing was in reference to the clintons and how they always seem to be in some type of trouble. its like with the blue dress, if Bill would have come out and said that "look I made a mistake" i could respect that but he spun it...not sure if that was from being a politician or a lawyer.

I did just fine through the years of Bush the Greater and Clinton myself.

(There, I got both parties in--how are you going to make a Democratic diatribe out that, I wonder.)